Households preparing several lunches
A large bag is a good choice if you use oats regularly and can measure out portions at home. For example, Jumbo states that its 1 kg pack contains 25 portions of 40 g; these are not individually wrapped.
Which pack is right for you?
Schoolchildren with little time to prepare lunch
A pre-measured portion can be handy if they make their own lunch. Check that the preparation method suits what’s available at home or at school; Quaker’s product information also lists mixing cold as an option for Oats Express Naturel.
Families who need to check allergens
If you have coeliac disease, simply seeing the word ‘oats’ on the packaging isn’t enough. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking for the official Crossed Grain symbol. Also check the current allergen information and any arrangements made with the school.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’ll prepare portions at home or whether the schoolchild will make the oats themselves. Then check the ingredients and preparation instructions on the pack you plan to take along.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and portions | Compare the net weight with the portion size, and consider whether you’ll use an opened large bag. | If I’m preparing several lunches in advance, I want to be able to measure portions from one pack. Around 42% of consumers put this need first. |
| Preparation and convenience | Check whether the product is pre-portioned and whether the instructions mention a microwave, pan, hot water or mixing cold. | If I have to make my own lunch, I want the steps to fit the time and facilities available. This is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information. If you have coeliac disease, check for the official Crossed Grain symbol as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, and ask about the school’s arrangements. | If I have an allergy or coeliac disease, I need to know whether this particular pack is suitable before putting it in my lunch bag. Around 25% of consumers put this check first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ordinary oats are suitable for coeliac disease
Seeing oats on the ingredients list doesn’t confirm that a product is suitable for coeliac disease. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says oats can come into contact with gluten during processing.
Check for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging, and read the allergen information too.
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Confusing individual sachets with a larger pack
Sachets save you measuring out portions, but each one contains a set amount. Jumbo states that its 1 kg bag contains 25 portions; Quaker lists 12 sachets of 27 g for Oats Express Naturel. Think about how many lunches you actually want to prepare.
Choose pre-measured sachets if convenience is important. If you can portion the oats at home, compare the pack size and portion size of loose oats too.
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Not checking the ingredients in a portion
Portion packs don’t all have the same ingredients. Jumbo’s Havermout Porties Original, for example, lists sugar as well as wholegrain rolled oats.
Read the ingredients list and, if needed, compare the sugar per 100 g or per portion on the label.
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Forgetting where the oats will be prepared
A bag of oats or a quick-preparation product is only practical if you have the liquid and bowl you need, and somewhere to heat it if required.
Decide whether you’ll prepare the lunch at home, mix it cold or heat it at school, then check the instructions for the product you choose.
Brands to consider
Quaker
Quaker Oats Express Naturel comes in individual portions. Albert Heijn’s product information lists 12 sachets of 27 g and a two-minute preparation time.
- Pre-measured sachets mean less portioning; the product information says this variety can also be mixed cold.
- The allergen information for this variety lists cereals containing gluten and possible traces of soya, barley and wheat.
Brinta
Brinta Havermout is a 450 g pack of loose oats. Albert Heijn’s product information says this variety is made from 100% rolled oats.
- The product information gives a microwave cooking time of two minutes for these extra-fine oats.
- The oats are not individually wrapped; the packaging warns that they may contain traces of wheat and rye.
Jumbo
The Jumbo product ranges reviewed include both loose fine wholegrain oats in a 1 kg bag and Havermout Porties Original.
- Jumbo states that its 1 kg pack contains 25 portions of 40 g, which you can measure out yourself for several lunches.
- You’ll need to portion out the large bag yourself. The ingredients list for Porties Original includes sugar.
Golden Bridge
ALDI Netherlands lists Golden Bridge fine wholegrain oats in a 500 g pack.
- The 500 g pack is an alternative if you want loose oats but don’t need a full 1 kg bag.
- Before choosing it for a particular school lunch, check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions on the current packaging.
Oat products on Joybuy
These products include individually portioned oats and oat mixes for a school lunch. When choosing, pay particular attention to the preparation instructions and the current ingredients and allergen information. The packaging alone doesn’t determine whether a product is suitable for someone with an allergy-related dietary restriction.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal, 324 g
An option if you want to take a portion with you and prepare lunch without much measuring. Check the preparation instructions for wherever you plan to make the oats.
Pack size: 324 g. If you have an allergy-related dietary restriction, check the current packaging. For coeliac disease, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says the official Crossed Grain symbol is essential.
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Family Whole oatmeal mix with milk and glucose, reduced sugar variety, 838 g
This oat mix could work for a lunch that can be prepared in advance. Check the preparation instructions before relying on being able to make it at school.
Pack size: 838 g. The variety name alone doesn’t tell you the nutritional value of your portion. Check the nutrition information and ingredients on the current packaging.
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Family Whole Red Dates Raisins Oat Flakes with glucose, 838 g
An oat mix with red dates and raisins if you’d like to include these ingredients in a school lunch. Check that the stated preparation method fits your lunch routine.
Pack size: 838 g. If the ingredients affect your choice, check the current ingredients, allergens and nutrition information per 100 g or per portion.
Frequently asked questions
Are ordinary oats suitable for coeliac disease?
Not automatically. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says oat products can come into contact with gluten during processing. For people with coeliac disease, the official Crossed Grain symbol must be on the packaging. Check the current allergen information too.
Can you take oats to school for lunch?
Yes, if you can prepare them where you plan to eat or make them at home in advance. Check whether you’ll have a bowl, spoon and liquid, and somewhere to heat the oats if needed. If you have an allergy-related dietary restriction, ask about the school’s arrangements.
Do you always need a microwave for instant oats?
No, it depends on the product. Quaker Oats Express Naturel’s product information lists cold mixing with water, milk, yoghurt or quark as well as hot preparation. Check the instructions on the pack you choose.
When is a large bag more convenient than individual sachets?
A large bag is handy if you regularly prepare school lunches and can measure out portions yourself. Individual sachets save you that step. Compare the pack size and portion size, then choose the option you’ll actually use in your day-to-day routine.