People planning their cupboards for soup days
You’re planning a pea soup day and also want to have oats in for breakfast. Keep the two shopping items separate: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s pea soup recipe calls for split peas.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers looking for a quick breakfast
You’re looking for oats for a morning when you have little time to prepare breakfast. Extra-fine flakes are worth considering; check the preparation instructions on the pack you choose.
Shoppers who need gluten-free oats
You need to be able to confirm that the specific product is gluten-free. The general name ‘oats’ doesn’t tell you this, so check the ingredients and allergen information too.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, check that you have split peas for the soup. Then choose your oats based on how you can store them, how you want to prepare them and whether you need a gluten-free option.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Soup and breakfast staples | Check that you have split peas as well as oats. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s pea soup recipe uses split peas as its base. | If I’m making pea soup, I want to have the soup ingredient in the cupboard as well as oats for breakfast. For around 36% of consumers, having everything needed for the day comes first. |
| Storing after opening | Choose a pack you can use up and seal properly. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says opened oats can be kept in a kitchen cupboard for one year. | When I don’t use much oats, I want to avoid leaving a large opened pack sitting around for a long time. For around 29% of consumers, easy storage is the first consideration. |
| Preparation and flake texture | Check whether the pack contains fine or coarse flakes, and follow the preparation instructions on the packaging. Albert Heijn describes Brinta Porridge Oats as having extra-fine flakes. | On a busy morning, I want to be able to choose fine flakes, while on other days I might prefer coarse flakes. Around 21% of consumers prioritise preparation and flake texture. |
| Gluten-free statement | Check the current packaging for a gluten-free statement and read the ingredients and allergen information. | If I need gluten-free oats, I want to be able to check this on the specific pack. For around 14% of consumers, this labelling comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Buying oats when you don’t have split peas
Oats are not a substitute for split peas in the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s pea soup recipe.
Add split peas for the soup and oats for breakfast to your shopping list as separate items.
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Opening a large pack without a way to store it
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, opened oats can be kept in a kitchen cupboard for a year if stored in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container.
Choose a pack that suits how often you use oats, and seal it well after opening.
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Assuming regular oats are gluten-free
Standard product pages, including the one for Quaker Porridge Oats at Albert Heijn, may list other grains as possible ingredients. So the product name alone isn’t enough to make this choice.
Every time you buy, check the gluten-free statement, ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
Brands to consider
Brinta
Albert Heijn describes Brinta Porridge Oats, 450 g, as oats with extra-fine flakes.
- The product page lists 100% oat flakes and a two-minute microwave preparation time.
- The product lists oats as an allergen and may contain traces of wheat and rye; check the label if allergens are relevant to your choice.
Quaker
Albert Heijn lists regular Quaker Porridge Oats in 375 g and 600 g packs.
- The variants reviewed list 100% wholegrain oats as an ingredient.
- The product pages state that the oats may contain barley and wheat; check the label if this affects your choice.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists fine and coarse wholegrain oats, including a 1 kg pack of fine flakes, as well as organic oat flakes.
- You can match the stated flake texture and pack size to how you plan to use them.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on each specific pack, including the organic oat flakes.
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn presents AH Gluten-free Wholegrain Oats as a 450 g gluten-free option.
- The product page lists gluten-free wholegrain oat flakes as an ingredient and states that the product is made in a gluten-free environment.
- Before choosing this option, check the current packaging for the gluten-free statement and allergen information.
Golden Bridge
ALDI lists Golden Bridge coarse wholegrain oats in a 500 g pack.
- The product page specifies that the flakes are coarse.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging if this information affects your choice.
Oat products at Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use oats instead of split peas in pea soup?
No, not as a substitute for the base of the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s pea soup recipe: split peas are the key ingredient. Keep oats separate as a breakfast staple.
How long can I keep an opened pack of oats?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, opened oats can be kept in a kitchen cupboard for a year. Store them in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container; don’t use them if they smell musty.
Can I use oats after the best-before date?
A past best-before date doesn’t automatically mean oats are no longer suitable to eat: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, this date relates to quality. After the date, check that the packaging is intact and assess the product by looking at it, smelling it and tasting it; the printed date generally applies to an unopened pack.
Are all oats suitable if I need a gluten-free product?
No, don’t rely on the name ‘oats’ alone. Check the current packaging for an explicit gluten-free statement, and read the ingredients and allergen information too.