Weekly planners preparing several breakfasts
You want to measure out a dry base for several breakfasts and choose what to add to each portion, such as fruit, yoghurt or nuts.
Who is this for?
People who want to take portions with them
You’re looking for a pre-measured breakfast for a busy morning or when you’re on the go. In that case, how the exact variant is prepared matters.
People who need a gluten-free option
You need a product that is explicitly labelled gluten-free. The name of the grain alone isn’t enough to make that choice, so check the latest allergen information too.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to measure out dry breakfast portions yourself or choose a ready-portioned option. Then compare the fibre content and ingredients of the exact variant. If you have a dietary requirement, the product label matters more than convenience when preparing it.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and type of grain | Check the fibre content per 100 g and the ingredients list for the exact variant. In the EU, a product must contain at least 6 g of fibre per 100 g or 3 g per 100 kcal to make the ‘high fibre’ claim. | When I prepare breakfast portions in advance, I want to be able to assess the fibre content rather than relying on ‘wholegrain’ alone. For around 31% of consumers, the actual fibre content is the top priority. |
| Preparation and portions | Check the number of portions, the amount per portion and the preparation instructions on the pack you choose. | On a busy morning, I want to be able to grab a portion without weighing it first. Convenient portions are the main consideration for around 23% of consumers. |
| Dry storage | Check the pack size and storage instructions. Keep opened dry oats in a tightly sealed container. | When I’m planning several breakfasts, I want a supply that I can divide up myself. For around 23% of consumers, this way of preparing breakfast is the biggest consideration. |
| Allergens and storage | Read the ingredients and allergen information. Prepared portions need to be stored differently from dry oats. | If I need a gluten-free product or mix breakfast portions in advance, the packaging must suit my requirements and storage routine. For around 23% of consumers, this is the most important consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘wholegrain’ means ‘high fibre’
The type of grain and the nutrition claim don’t mean the same thing. Whether a product can be labelled ‘high fibre’ depends on the fibre content of that particular variant.
Compare the nutritional information on the pack with the EU requirement of at least 6 g of fibre per 100 g or 3 g per 100 kcal.
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Confusing Brinta with oats
According to Jumbo, Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt contains wholemeal wheat flour and is labelled as a product containing wheat and gluten-containing cereals. So it isn’t oatmeal.
Choose a porridge base based on the grain listed, and if you need a gluten-free option, check that the exact pack is explicitly labelled gluten-free.
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Storing prepared portions like dry oats
Opened packs of dry oats and ready-made breakfasts containing moist ingredients need different storage routines.
Cover prepared breakfast portions and store them in the fridge. Following the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s meal-prep advice, eat them within two days or freeze them.
Brands and ranges compared
Compare the exact variants within each range: single portions, loose rolled oats and wheat porridge differ in ways that matter for meal prep.
Quaker
Quaker Oats Express Naturel is an oat-based option in individual portions for quick preparation.
- A pre-measured portion can be a good fit if you prepare breakfast just before eating it.
- Check the fibre content on the exact pack before choosing this variant as a high-fibre option.
Brinta
Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt is a porridge base made from wholegrain wheat, not oats.
- Jumbo lists 10.0 g of fibre per 100 g for Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt. This is above the EU threshold of 6 g per 100 g for the ‘high fibre’ claim.
- It contains wheat, so it isn’t suitable if you’re looking for oats or need a gluten-free product.
Jumbo huismerk
The range includes loose wholegrain oat flakes and individual portions of oatmeal.
- You can divide loose flakes between several dry breakfast portions yourself.
- If you’re specifically looking for a high-fibre product, check the nutritional information on the pack for each variant.
Golden Bridge (ALDI)
Golden Bridge offers fine and coarse wholegrain oats as a dry base that you can portion yourself.
- Choosing between fine and coarse oats means you can take the texture you prefer into account when planning breakfast portions.
- Check the fibre content, allergens and preparation instructions on the pack you choose.
Albert Heijn assortiment
This range includes products such as Quaker Oats Express Naturel and Elovena Natural instant oatmeal.
- Albert Heijn labels Elovena Natural instant oatmeal as gluten-free on its product page.
- When you buy it, check the current packaging for ingredients, allergen information and nutritional values.
Products for different breakfast routines
These Joybuy products illustrate three options: a pack you can portion yourself, wholegrain wheat porridge if you don’t need oats, and an Express oatmeal variant. Check that the grain, nutritional values and preparation method of each product suit your meal-prep routine.
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Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal 500 g
If you want to measure out several breakfast portions yourself, this 500 g pack could be a good fit. Before choosing it for your routine, check the grain, fibre content per 100 g and preparation instructions on the pack.
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Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt 500 g
A porridge base you can portion yourself if you don’t specifically need oats. Jumbo lists 10.0 g of fibre per 100 g for Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt, which contains wholemeal wheat flour, wheat and gluten-containing cereals.
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Quaker Express oatmeal 324 g
An Express oatmeal option for anyone looking to prepare a quick breakfast. Before choosing it for convenient portions or as a high-fibre product, check the number of portions, preparation instructions and fibre content per 100 g on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
When can oats be labelled ‘high fibre’?
In the EU, a product must contain at least 6 g of fibre per 100 g or 3 g per 100 kcal to make the ‘high fibre’ nutrition claim. Check the nutritional information for the exact variant: ‘wholegrain’ alone doesn’t confirm that the product meets this threshold.
Is all oatmeal suitable if I need to choose gluten-free?
No, the name ‘oatmeal’ isn’t enough to tell you. Choose a pack that is explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the latest ingredients and allergen information too.
How long can I store prepared breakfast portions?
Cover prepared portions and store them in the fridge. Following the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s meal-prep advice, eat them within two days. If you want to prepare them further in advance, freeze the portions instead.
How should I store an opened pack of dry oats?
Store dry oats in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also follow the instructions and use-by date on the pack.