Which pack works best for you?

Families who plan lunches in advance

If you prepare oats for several school days, you can measure out portions at home from a larger pack. Make sure you can store the rest somewhere dry and in a sealed container.

Parents preparing a quick school lunch

Individual portions save you the measuring. Just check which liquid and utensils you’ll need, and whether you can prepare them at school.

Households that need to check for allergens

Check the latest label for every product and ask about the school’s rules. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ordinary oats are not suitable for people with coeliac disease: look for the official Crossed Grain mark.

What should you consider when choosing?

First, decide whether you’ll prepare portions of oats at home or make them at school. The utensils available and the product label will then help you work out which pack is suitable.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Pack size and portions Check the net weight and number of portions on the pack. Consider whether you can measure out the oats at home and store them somewhere dry. If I’m preparing lunches for several school days, I want one pack to provide enough portions. For around 36% of consumers, planning ahead and having enough in stock would be the main consideration.
Preparation and packing Check whether the product can be prepared cold or needs heating, and which bowl, spoon and liquid you’ll need. If my child is preparing lunch at school, they need to be able to do so with the utensils available there. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise how practical the preparation is.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information; if you have coeliac disease, look for the official Crossed Grain mark. If my child has a relevant allergy or coeliac disease, I want to know what the pack says before I pack their lunch. For around 21% of consumers, checking the label would be the top priority.
How it’s eaten and what to add Decide whether the oats will be eaten cold or hot, and check the labels on any extras too. If my child will only eat the oats with certain extras, I need to be able to pack them and make sure they comply with the school’s rules. An estimated 14% of consumers would consider this the most important factor.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming instant means ready to eat

    A sachet saves you measuring, but you may still need a bowl, spoon and liquid to prepare it.

    Read the preparation instructions on the pack you choose, and check with the school if you’ll need to use a microwave.

  • Assuming ordinary oats are gluten-free

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ordinary oat products are not automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease.

    If you have coeliac disease, check every pack for the official Crossed Grain mark and read the latest allergen information.

  • Forgetting extras and school rules

    Anything you add to the oats could contain allergens too. Rules on food brought in from home vary from school to school.

    Check the labels on all extras and ask the school what’s allowed with this lunch.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Jumbo

Jumbo sells fine wholegrain oats in a value pack weighing 1 kg.

  • Jumbo states that this pack contains 25 portions.
  • You’ll need to measure out and prepare the portions yourself. The label lists oats and gluten, and also mentions the possible presence of barley, rye and wheat.

Golden Bridge

ALDI Netherlands lists fine wholegrain oats from Golden Bridge in a 500 g pack.

  • Before choosing this product for a school lunch, check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions on the pack.

Quaker

Quaker sells both plain oats in a 600 g pack and portioned Oats Express Naturel.

  • Albert Heijn lists 15 portions in the 600 g pack and 12 sachets of 27 g for Oats Express Naturel.
  • The portioned option still needs ingredients to prepare it. Check the allergen information for each product.

Brinta

Brinta sells a 450 g pack of fine oat flakes.

  • Brinta says the extra-fine flakes are ready in a few minutes when prepared hot.
  • These are not individually portioned. The label lists oats and gluten, and mentions the possible presence of wheat and rye.

Lidl Healthy Fit

Lidl Netherlands lists a product called Healthy Fit Proteïne havermout.

  • For a school lunch, check the pack for preparation instructions and details of its ingredients and allergens.

Oats at Joybuy for school packed lunches

This 324 g pack of Quaker Express is one option to consider if you want to pack oats for a school lunch. Check that the portion size and preparation instructions on the pack suit what’s possible at home or school.

Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g

Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g

For a school lunch when you want to pack oats. Check the pack to see whether this version contains individual portions and how it needs to be prepared, especially if there’s no hob or microwave available at school.

Also read the latest allergen information and ask about the school’s rules before packing the oats.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a large pack convenient for a school packed lunch?

Yes, if you can divide the oats into portions at home and store the rest somewhere dry and in a sealed container. If your child prepares lunch at school, check that the necessary liquid and utensils are available.

Can you take instant oats to school if there’s no microwave?

Some varieties can be prepared cold: Albert Heijn says this applies to Quaker Oats Express Naturel with milk, water, yoghurt or quark. Check the instructions on the exact pack you buy and pack the utensils you’ll need.

Are ordinary oats suitable for a child with coeliac disease?

Not automatically. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products are only suitable for people with coeliac disease if the pack carries the official Crossed Grain mark. So check the latest label on the product you choose.

Where can I check for allergens in packaged oats?

Read the ingredients and allergen information on the latest pack, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority provides information about allergens on labels. You should also ask the school about its rules for food brought in from home.