If you want to decide how sweet it is
You want a sweet breakfast, but would rather add your own fruit than start with a sweetened cereal mix. This lets you assess the oat base and toppings separately.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you’re short on time in the morning
You’re looking for a measured portion or a convenient way to prepare your breakfast, without assuming that a quick-cook option is also plain.
If you need to check allergens or a dietary claim
You need clear information about claims such as gluten-free, or the possible presence of wheat, barley, soya or milk. The information on the pack you buy is what matters.
What should you look for?
Start by checking the ingredients in the oats. Then think about what you’ll use to prepare and sweeten your porridge. Before buying, check separately that the preparation instructions and allergen information meet your needs.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugar | Read the ingredients list and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. This figure alone doesn’t distinguish between added sugars and sugars that are naturally present. | If I don’t want to buy a sweetened oat base, I first check what’s in it. Around 36% of consumers put limiting added sugar first. |
| Sweetening it yourself | Choose a plain base if you want to add your own fruit or other toppings, and check the ingredients in those additions too. | I want to choose how to flavour my oats at each breakfast, rather than being tied to one ready-made flavour. For around 29% of consumers, having that choice is a priority. |
| Convenience | Check the portion size and preparation instructions for the specific variety, even if it says ‘Express’. | On a busy morning, I want to spend as little time as possible measuring and preparing. For around 21% of consumers, convenience is the top priority. |
| Dietary needs and allergens | Read the current allergen information and, if needed, check whether the pack is explicitly labelled gluten-free. | If I have a dietary restriction, I need to know whether this specific product is suitable. For an estimated 14% of consumers, this is their first concern. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing a sweet breakfast with a sweetened oat base
Plain oats and a crunchy or flavoured cereal mix are different products. The Voedingscentrum points out that many breakfast cereals contain added ingredients such as sugar, honey or chocolate.
If you want to decide what to add yourself, start with plain oats and check the ingredients in your toppings separately.
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Looking only at ‘of which sugars’
The nutrition table lists sugars, but that figure alone doesn’t tell you which sugars have been added. Milk, yoghurt and fruit also change the nutritional make-up of your finished bowl.
Use both the ingredients list and the nutrition information per 100 g, and take into account what you’ll prepare your oats with.
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Assuming plain oats are automatically gluten-free
The label on regular oat products may mention the possible presence of other grains. For example, Albert Heijn lists a separate gluten-free oat option; ‘plain’ doesn’t mean the same as being labelled gluten-free.
If you need a product that is explicitly gluten-free, check the claim and allergen information on the current pack.
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Choosing portion packs without comparing what’s inside
A measured portion saves you weighing ingredients, but it tells you nothing about the ingredients or preparation method of that specific variety.
Read the ingredients and instructions before deciding whether portion convenience will make a difference to your morning.
Brands to consider
These examples show why it’s better to compare specific varieties rather than choosing on brand name alone.
Brinta
Brinta Oatmeal is an option if you want to make warm porridge from a simple oat base and add your own toppings.
- Albert Heijn’s product information lists 100% oat flakes as the ingredients.
- The same product information says Brinta Oatmeal may contain traces of wheat and rye. If you need a gluten-free claim, don’t choose it based on the name alone.
Quaker
Quaker offers both regular oats in larger packs and Oats Express Naturel in portion packs.
- Quaker describes Oats Express Naturel as portion packs with no added sugars.
- Albert Heijn says that a pack of Quaker oats may contain barley and wheat. Check the allergen information for each variety.
Albert Heijn
Within the AH range, explicitly gluten-free oats and an oat-and-seed mix meet different needs.
- Albert Heijn states that AH Glutenvrij Volkoren oats are produced in a completely gluten-free environment.
- According to Albert Heijn, AH Volkoren havermout proteïne contains ingredients including soya protein isolate and seeds. Compare the ingredients and allergen information if you’re looking for a simple oat base.
Oats on Joybuy
These oat products are options if you want to put together your own sweet breakfast. Pack sizes vary, so check the ingredients, preparation method and any allergen information for each variety separately.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal, 324 g
An option if you’re considering an Express variety for a busy morning. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the pack, then decide what you’d like to add to your oats.
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Quaker Oatmeal, 600 g
This larger pack is a good fit if you regularly prepare an oat base with your own toppings. Read the ingredients and allergen information for this variety, especially if wheat or barley is a concern for you.
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Quaker Oatmeal, 375 g
A smaller pack of Quaker Oatmeal if you want to choose the flavour of your oats yourself. Check the nutrition information and whether the pack mentions the possible presence of other grains.
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Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal, 500 g
An option if you’re looking for an oat product to customise to your taste. Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack. Check the instructions too if a particular preparation method matters to you.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean oats contain 0 g of sugars?
No. A product with no added sugars may still contain sugars that occur naturally. Compare the nutrition information per 100 g and remember that milk, yoghurt and toppings change the nutritional make-up of your breakfast.
How can I sweeten plain oats without adding sugar to the base?
For example, add fresh fruit to plain oats. The Voedingscentrum suggests fruit as one possible addition; check other toppings separately if you want to take their ingredients into account.
Are regular oats suitable if I need a gluten-free product?
Don’t assume so based on ‘plain’ or ‘100% oats’. If you need a gluten-free product, choose one with an explicit gluten-free claim and read the current allergen information. Regular varieties may mention the possible presence of wheat or barley.
Do I need a portion pack for a quick breakfast?
Not necessarily. A portion pack saves you weighing ingredients, but regular oats can also be a convenient option. Compare the preparation instructions for the varieties you’re considering and check that a quick-cook option meets your ingredient preferences.
Where should I start on the label if I want to limit added sugar?
Start with the ingredients list, then look at the nutrition information per 100 g. The Voedingscentrum explains that ingredients are listed in descending order by weight; ‘of which sugars’ doesn’t tell you on its own how much sugar has been added.