Households that eat oats regularly
A larger pack is a good choice if you want enough for several breakfasts and don’t mind measuring out your own portion.
Who are these pack formats suitable for?
Breakfast eaters who don’t want to weigh out a serving
Individual sachets give you a set amount to take with you. Just check the pack to see how to prepare them and what you’ll need.
Shoppers who need to check allergens
If you have coeliac disease, ordinary oats are not automatically suitable. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises looking for the official Crossed Grain mark on the pack.
What should you consider when choosing?
Decide whether you mainly want to stock up or take a portion with you without weighing it out. If allergens are a concern for you, the label is the deciding factor whatever you choose.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and pack size | Check the net weight and consider whether you’ll use the contents at your usual pace and can store them in a dry place. | If I want to have breakfast from one pack over several mornings, I’d rather measure out my own portions; stock is the main priority for around 43% of consumers. |
| Portions and preparation | Check the amount in each sachet and whether you have the liquid, bowl and preparation facilities listed on the pack. | On a busy morning, I don’t want to weigh out a serving, but I still need to be able to prepare the oats; portion convenience is the top priority for around 43% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredient and allergen information. If you have coeliac disease, look for the official Crossed Grain mark. | If I need to avoid gluten or other allergens, the pack determines which oats I can choose; checking this is the main priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming individual sachets are a complete solution for breakfast on the go
A pre-portioned sachet saves you weighing out a serving, but dry oats aren’t a ready-to-eat breakfast. According to the product information, Quaker Oats Express needs to be prepared in a microwave or pan.
Think about where you’ll prepare breakfast and whether you’ll also have liquid, a suitable bowl and a spoon there.
-
Assuming ordinary oats are gluten-free
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ordinary oat products can be contaminated with gluten. The Quaker and Brinta packs reviewed also state that other cereals may be present.
If you have coeliac disease, check the current label every time you buy and choose only oats carrying the official Crossed Grain mark.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo offers, among other products, loose wholegrain oats in a 1 kg pack for you to portion yourself.
- The 1 kg pack gives you enough for several portions that you measure out yourself.
- For breakfast on the go, you’ll need to take a portion with you and arrange the ingredients and preparation yourself.
Quaker
The Quaker products reviewed include 600 g of loose oats and Oats Express with 12 individual portions.
- You can choose between measuring out your own portions from a larger pack and using pre-portioned sachets.
- The packs reviewed state that other gluten-containing cereals may be present; read the label if this is relevant to you.
Brinta
The Brinta Oats product reviewed contains 450 g of extra-fine flakes for preparing at home.
- According to the product information on Albert Heijn, microwave preparation takes 2 minutes.
- The label warns that traces of wheat and rye may be present; if you have coeliac disease, don’t rely on the product name alone.
Golden Bridge
Golden Bridge is one of ALDI’s own brands, offering products such as fine wholegrain oats.
- The fine variety on the ALDI Netherlands product page contains 500 g of loose oats for you to portion yourself.
- Check the pack of the variety you buy for ingredient, allergen and preparation information.
Oat products at Joybuy
These products show two ways to enjoy oats for a quick breakfast: pre-portioned sachets and loose oats that you measure out yourself. The key is to compare which option best suits your morning routine.
Image unavailable
Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
For anyone who doesn’t want to weigh out a serving, this pack contains 12 individual sachets. According to the product description, preparation in a microwave or pan takes 2 minutes. If you have an allergy, check the current pack; the product information lists gluten-containing cereals and warns that wheat and barley may be present.
Image unavailable
Quaker Oatmeal 600 g
Loose oats for anyone who wants to measure out their own portions at home. The product description states that they’re made from 100% wholegrain oats and can be prepared on the hob or in the microwave. Use the current label to decide on your portion size, and if you have an allergy, check the warning that wheat and barley may be present.
Image unavailable
Quaker Oatmeal 375 g
Loose oats in a smaller pack for anyone who likes to measure out their own breakfast portions. The product description states that they’re made from 100% wholegrain oats and provide around 9 to 10 portions. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the current pack; the product information warns that wheat and barley may be present.
Frequently asked questions
Is a larger pack more convenient than individual sachets?
A larger pack is convenient if you regularly make oats at home and want to measure out your own portions. Sachets save you weighing out a serving, but you should still check what you’ll need to prepare them.
Are ordinary oats suitable for people with coeliac disease?
Not automatically: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ordinary oat products can be contaminated with gluten. If you have coeliac disease, choose only oat products carrying the official Crossed Grain mark on the pack.
How can I prepare oats quickly before I leave?
Follow the preparation instructions on the pack you’re using. According to the product information, Quaker Oats Express sachets take 2 minutes to prepare; the Brinta Oats product reviewed also has microwave instructions stating 2 minutes. Remember to allow for the liquid and a suitable bowl too.
What should I check on the pack if I have an allergy?
Read the current ingredients list, the highlighted allergens and any warnings about the possible presence of other cereals. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on the labels of prepacked foods.