Which pack is best for your family?

Families who like to sweeten their own porridge

With plain oats as a base, everyone can add fruit, cinnamon, raisins or nuts to their own bowl. That’s handy when tastes and preferred levels of sweetness differ from person to person.

Families planning to stock up

If you want to make several breakfasts from one pack, compare the net weight with the serving size on the label. Remember to allow space to store the pack once opened.

Families who eat breakfast at different times

Individual portions can be useful when not everyone has breakfast at the same time. For a shared breakfast, though, you’ll still need to prepare the sachets one by one.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether your family eats together or needs individual portions. Then compare the packaging, ingredients and nutritional information of the varieties that suit the way you’ll use them.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Pack size and portions Compare the net weight with the serving size on the label. Albert Heijn lists 40 g as a serving of its fine wholegrain oat flakes. If we often have breakfast together, I want to know how many bowls we can get from one pack. Having enough in the cupboard is the top priority for around 34% of consumers.
Sweetening it yourself Read the ingredients list and compare sugars per 100 g. For a sweetened variety, check which ingredients have been added. I want to choose the toppings for each bowl rather than have one set flavour for everyone. Around 33% of consumers give this control top priority.
Preparing individual portions Check the number of sachets, serving size and preparation instructions. When family members have breakfast one after another, I don’t want to keep making a shared portion. Individual preparation matters most to around 20% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Check the current label for allergens and warnings. For a protein variety, also check which source of protein it uses. If a family member needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to know what’s in the chosen variety before buying it. This is the main concern for around 13% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a box of portion sachets is one large family pack

    A box of individual portions is designed for separate preparation. For a shared breakfast, that means opening and preparing several sachets.

    Check the net weight and number of portions. Choose a large pack if measuring out oats yourself is more practical for your family.

  • Assuming wholegrain oats are unsweetened

    Even a product made with wholegrain oats can contain sugar as an ingredient. Jumbo lists sugar in its Havermout Porties Original.

    Read the ingredients and compare sugars per 100 g. Choose a plain variety if you want to control the sweetness of each bowl.

  • Treating ordinary oats as gluten-free without checking the label

    You can’t tell whether oats are suitable for someone with coeliac disease from the product name alone. Warnings about other cereals may also be relevant.

    If you have coeliac disease, check the current label and whether the product carries the required gluten-free certification.

  • Looking only at the ‘Protein’ label

    A protein variety may contain different ingredients from ordinary porridge oats. According to Quaker, Quaker Oats Express Protein Naturel contains soya protein and may contain barley and wheat.

    Before choosing this variety, check the source of protein, allergens and nutritional information per 100 g and per serving.

Brands worth considering

Quaker

Offers both plain instant portions and a variety with added soya protein.

  • According to Quaker, Oats Express Naturel contains 12 individual portions of wholegrain oats.
  • Oats Express Protein Naturel contains soya protein and may contain barley and wheat. Read the label if these ingredients are relevant to your family.

Albert Heijn

Offers fine wholegrain oat flakes as a base for breakfast bowls you can flavour yourself.

  • Albert Heijn lists a 500 g pack and a 40 g serving for these oat flakes.
  • These are oat flakes that you prepare yourself, not individual instant sachets.

Jumbo

Offers both a large pack of fine wholegrain oat flakes and sweetened porridge portions.

  • Jumbo lists a 1 kg pack of its fine wholegrain oat flakes.
  • According to the ingredients list, Havermout Porties Original contains sugar. Compare the nutritional information with a plain variety.

Golden Bridge

ALDI’s own brand offers fine and coarse wholegrain oats for anyone looking for a plain oat base.

  • ALDI lists 500 g packs of both the fine and coarse varieties.
  • Check the packaging for the ingredients and allergens in your chosen variety.

Crownfield

Lidl’s own brand offers organic porridge oats as an option for putting together your own breakfast.

  • Lidl lists Crownfield Organic Porridge Oats in a 500 g pack.
  • Check the ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging of the product you choose.

Instant porridge at Joybuy

These products are suited to individually prepared instant porridge: a plain variety and one with soya protein. If you’re mainly looking for one large pack for a shared breakfast, you could also compare ordinary oat flakes.

Quaker Express Oatmeal, 324 g pack

Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g

An option for families where everyone prepares their porridge separately and wants to add toppings to their own bowl.

According to the product information, the pack contains 12 portions, weighing 324 g in total. Compare the serving size with how much you use for breakfast.

If you have dietary restrictions, check the current ingredients and allergens on the packaging.

View at Joybuy
Quaker Oats Express Protein, 302 g pack

Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g

An instant option for anyone specifically looking for an oat product with added soya protein and individual portions.

The pack contains 302 g. According to Quaker, this variety is made with wholegrain oats and 15% soya protein. For a fair comparison, check the amount of protein per 100 g and per serving on the packaging.

The product contains soya and may contain barley and wheat. Check the current label if allergens or cereals containing gluten are relevant to your family.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I work out how many breakfasts I’ll get from a large pack?

Use the net weight and dry serving size on the label as a guide. For example, Albert Heijn lists a 500 g pack and a 40 g serving for its fine wholegrain oat flakes. You can then adjust the amount in each bowl to suit your family.

Is sugar always added to instant porridge?

No, it varies by product. Quaker describes Oats Express Naturel as plain porridge oats, while Jumbo lists sugar as an ingredient in Havermout Porties Original. Check the ingredients of the product you choose and compare sugars per 100 g.

How can everyone in the family sweeten plain porridge differently?

Prepare a plain oat base, then add toppings such as fruit, cinnamon or raisins to each bowl. That way, everyone can choose their own flavour. If you’re using packaged toppings, check their ingredients too, if that matters for your family.

Can I use ordinary porridge oats if I have coeliac disease?

No. Don’t assume oats are suitable for coeliac disease just because the label says ‘oats’. Check the current label, information about cereals containing gluten and the required gluten-free certification for the specific product.

Where can I find allergen information for packaged porridge oats?

Check the label on the pack you choose. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, prepacked products must display allergen information on the label. Also check for any warnings relevant to your family member.