Who are these packs suitable for?

People who like to weigh out their own portions

A larger pack lets you decide how much oats to use per bowl and whether to prepare them with water, milk or yoghurt.

Breakfast lovers who want a set portion

Individual sachets are handy if you’d rather not weigh anything out. Quaker Oats Express Naturel contains 27 g sachets and, according to Albert Heijn, is ready in 2 minutes.

Shoppers looking for oats labelled gluten-free

If you’re looking for this, an explicit gluten-free label on the current pack matters more than simply seeing the word ‘oats’ in the product name.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check which nutritional information and label claims matter to you. Then decide whether you’d rather measure out your own portions or use a pre-filled sachet.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fat and preparation Compare the fat per 100 g and the portion size; factor milk, yoghurt and toppings into your decision. If I put my own bowl together, I want to decide how much oats and how many additions to use. For around 45% of consumers, that control is said to be the main priority.
Set portions Check the weight per sachet and the recommended preparation time. If I don’t want to weigh anything out in the morning, a pre-filled portion is practical. Around 33% of consumers are said to be looking mainly for that combination of convenience and speed.
Gluten-free label Check for an explicit gluten-free label and the allergen information on the pack. If I only want to buy oats labelled gluten-free, a standard oats label isn’t enough. For around 22% of consumers, that labelling is said to be the deciding factor.

Common mistakes when buying oats

  • Automatically describing oats as ‘low fat’

    The Quaker and Elovena products mentioned list 7.7 to 8 g of fat per 100 g. That’s above the maximum of 3 g per 100 g set by EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 for the ‘low fat’ nutrition claim on solid foods.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g as well as the amount you use. The claim threshold for a product doesn’t, by itself, determine how a prepared portion fits into your diet.

  • Comparing the nutritional values of dry and prepared oats as if they were the same

    The contents of a prepared bowl also depend on the liquid and toppings. For Brinta, the values shown are for a portion made with 250 ml semi-skimmed milk, not for dry oats alone.

    Before comparing products, check whether the nutritional values are given per 100 g of dry product, per sachet or per prepared portion.

  • Assuming ordinary oats are gluten-free

    According to the Voedingscentrum, oats may not be suitable for people who need to eat gluten-free because they can come into contact with gluten during production.

    If so, choose a product with an explicit gluten-free label and check the current ingredients and allergen information.

  • Assuming a tub is a metal tin

    Jumbo describes the 600 g Quaker pack as a cardboard sleeve with an inner polyethylene wrapper.

    If packaging material matters to your choice, check the description of the exact variety you want to order.

Brands and product ranges at a glance

Quaker

The products reviewed include a 600 g pack of oats and Oats Express Naturel, with twelve individual 27 g sachets.

  • According to Albert Heijn, the 600 g pack contains 100% wholegrain oats; the sachets provide a set portion.
  • The stated fat content of these varieties is above the EU threshold for the ‘low fat’ claim. Also check whether the preparation method for each product suits what you’re looking for.

Elovena

Natural Instant Oatmeal is instant porridge explicitly labelled gluten-free, with five 40 g portions.

  • The gluten-free label is relevant if you’re specifically looking for this.
  • The label lists 7.9 g of fat per 100 g; being labelled gluten-free doesn’t mean the product is ‘low fat’.

Brinta

The fine oats reviewed come in a larger standard pack, rather than a comparable instant sachet.

  • According to Albert Heijn, these oats contain 100% oats and are ready in a few minutes.
  • The nutritional values shown for a prepared portion are based on 250 ml semi-skimmed milk. Don’t compare them directly with values for dry oats or oats prepared with water.

Quaker oats to weigh out at home

This larger pack is a good choice if you want to decide how much oats to use and how to prepare them at home. If you’re specifically looking for instant oats, check the preparation instructions before ordering.

Quaker Oats 600 g

Quaker Oats 600 g

For anyone who wants to weigh out their own portion of oats and choose how to prepare them at home.

Joybuy’s product information lists 100% wholegrain oats and 8 g of fat per 100 g. Check the preparation instructions if you’re specifically looking for instant oats.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can you describe these oats as ‘low fat’?

No, not based on the stated fat content of the Quaker and Elovena varieties discussed here. They contain between 7.7 and 8 g per 100 g, while EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 allows a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for the ‘low fat’ claim on solid foods. The claim threshold doesn’t, by itself, determine how a portion fits into your overall diet.

Does the liquid you use make a difference?

Yes. Milk, yoghurt and toppings change the contents of your prepared bowl. So don’t just look at the values for dry oats; also consider the amount and nutritional information of what you add.

Are ordinary oats automatically gluten-free?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, oats can come into contact with gluten during production. If you’re looking for oats labelled gluten-free, check the label and allergen information on the current pack.

Is the large Quaker pack a metal tin?

The 600 g Quaker pack described by Jumbo is a cardboard sleeve with an inner polyethylene wrapper, not a metal tin. When buying, check the packaging information for the variety on offer.