If you prepare several lunches at home
Do you regularly prepare school lunches and have time to measure out oats at home? A larger pack gives you the flexibility to make up a portion for each lunch.
Who are oats practical for as a school lunch?
If you pack a prepared oat-based lunch
For porridge or overnight oats, you’ll need a container that seals well, as well as the right ingredients for your prepared lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum) recommends using a small cool bag for food that can spoil quickly.
If you need a gluten-free product
The word ‘oats’ alone isn’t enough to tell you whether a product is suitable. Check the exact packaging for a gluten-free claim and the Crossed Grain symbol, and make sure the lunch you pack follows the school’s guidelines.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you can portion the oats at home and how the lunch will be carried. Then check the ingredients and any gluten-free requirements for the specific product.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging and portioning | Check the pack size and decide whether you can measure out portions at home. | If I’m making several lunches, I want to decide how much oats to pack in each container. For around 31% of consumers, portioning at home is the top priority. |
| Preparation and transport | Check how to prepare the product you’ve chosen and whether perishable additions need to be kept cool during transport. | I want the lunch to be ready for my child to eat at school, without relying on kitchen equipment that may not be available there. Convenient transport matters most to around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and portion size | Read the ingredients for the specific product and compare plain oats with any flavoured varieties. | For a flavoured variety, I want to know what else it contains besides oats and how much I’m packing. Around 25% of consumers prioritise what goes into the lunch. |
| Gluten and school guidelines | If needed, check the gluten-free claim and certification on the packaging. Also ask about the school’s guidelines. | If a gluten-free product is required, I don’t want to rely on a general statement about oats. For around 19% of consumers, checking the suitability of the exact product is their main concern. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all oats are gluten-free
Oats are naturally gluten-free, but oat products can be subject to cross-contamination. Quaker says it cannot guarantee that its oat products are completely gluten-free.
If you need a gluten-free product, check the exact packaging for a gluten-free claim and the Crossed Grain symbol before packing the lunch.
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Assuming individual portions are a ready-made lunch
A pre-measured portion saves you weighing or measuring, but you’ll still need to prepare it according to the instructions for the product you’ve chosen. Don’t assume there’ll be hot water, a pan or a microwave at school without checking first.
Before buying, decide where and when you’ll prepare the oats and what sort of container you’ll need.
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Judging the whole lunch by the oats alone
A flavoured variety may contain different ingredients from plain oats. For example, Quaker Oats Express Cinnamon lists sugar. If you add milk, yoghurt or other perishable ingredients, you’ll also need to consider how the lunch will be transported.
Check the ingredients for each variety. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum) recommends using a small cool bag for lunches that can spoil quickly.
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Assuming you know the school’s rules without checking
If there are allergies or shared mealtimes, classroom guidelines may affect what you pack.
Ask the teacher or school about any rules for packed lunches, especially if children share food.
Brands to consider
These product ranges give you an idea of the different types of oats available. Always check the packaging for the specific product you’re considering.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s own-brand range includes fine and coarse wholegrain oats, larger packs, individual portions and gluten-free varieties.
- Choosing between loose oats and individual portions lets you weigh up measuring them out at home against a pre-measured portion.
- If you choose a gluten-free product, check the label and certification on the exact variety.
Albert Heijn
The AH range includes plain, organic and gluten-free oat varieties.
- Albert Heijn says its AH Gluten-Free Wholegrain Oats are produced in a completely gluten-free environment.
- Product information can change, so check the packaging of the variety you’re buying.
Quaker
Quaker offers plain oats and Oats Express portions, including flavoured varieties.
- Quaker Oats Express Cinnamon is sold in a pack of ten individual portions.
- This cinnamon variety lists sugar and may contain soya, barley and wheat. Quaker cannot guarantee that its oat products are completely gluten-free.
Golden Bridge
Golden Bridge is the ALDI brand of the 500 g fine wholegrain oats discussed here.
- You can divide the 500 g pack into lunch portions at home.
- Check the label on the pack in store for ingredients and allergens.
Crownfield
Lidl lists 500 g of organic Crownfield oats, available in store only.
- The product listing clearly states the pack size and that it’s an organic variety.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact pack in store.
Oat products on Joybuy
These four products are dry oat varieties that you can measure out at home for a school lunch or prepare as individual portions. Check which product best suits your lunch routine, and always check the exact packaging if you need a gluten-free option.
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Quaker Oatmeal 600 g
For anyone who wants to measure out oats at home for several school lunches. Check the allergens on the exact packaging; Quaker cannot guarantee that its oat products are completely gluten-free.
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Quaker Oatmeal 375 g
For anyone who wants to make portions at home from a 375 g pack. If you need to avoid gluten, check the label for this variety rather than relying on the product name alone.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
For anyone who wants to do less measuring at home and can fit the preparation of an Express variety into their lunch routine. Check the preparation instructions and allergens for this exact variety before packing it for school.
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Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal 500 g
For anyone who wants to divide a 500 g pack into lunch portions at home. Before packing, check the ingredients and allergens on the exact packaging. If you’re adding perishable ingredients, remember to keep the lunch cool during transport.
Frequently asked questions
Are all oats suitable if a child needs to eat gluten-free?
No. A product isn’t automatically gluten-free just because it contains oats. Oat products can be cross-contaminated with gluten, so if you need a gluten-free option, check the exact packaging for a gluten-free claim and the Crossed Grain symbol.
Can you pack prepared oats with yoghurt or milk for school without keeping them cool?
Don’t assume that’s safe. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum) recommends using a small cool bag for food that can spoil quickly. You should also use a container that seals well for your prepared lunch.
Can oats be an alternative to bread in a packed lunch?
Yes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum) suggests oat products as an alternative to bread. When putting together a packed lunch, consider the rest of the meal too, rather than focusing only on the oats.
How can I spot added sugar in a flavoured variety?
Read the ingredients list for the exact flavoured variety and compare it with plain oats. For example, Quaker Oats Express Cinnamon lists sugar alongside wholegrain oats and natural flavourings. Don’t assume other Express varieties have the same ingredients without checking their labels.