For a weekend breakfast you can make your own, a pack of regular fine or jumbo oats gives you the freedom to measure out as much as you need. Pre-portioned sachets are a better fit if you want to skip measuring; just check that each sachet contains the right amount for your breakfast. If you follow a strict gluten-free diet, checking the suitability information on the label is a separate and essential step.
If you make porridge, overnight oats or oats with yoghurt at home, a pack of loose oats lets you decide how much to use for each breakfast. Choose between fine and jumbo oats, and check how much the pack contains.
If you don’t want to measure anything on a busy morning, individual portions can be handy. Compare the grams per portion with the amount you usually prepare.
If you have coeliac disease, the information on the pack matters more than whether you choose fine, jumbo or portioned oats. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that regular oats may be contaminated with gluten and identifies the official Crossed Grain symbol for suitable oat products.
For your weekend breakfast, first decide whether you want to measure your own portions or use pre-portioned sachets. Then check the texture of the oats, the amount in each pack or portion and, where necessary, the gluten-free information.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Loose oats | Check the pack size, ingredients and whether the oats are fine or jumbo. | If I’m measuring out oats for several weekend breakfasts, I want a pack with the texture I prefer. Around 56% of consumers prioritise this kind of versatile, measure-as-you-go option. |
| Portions and preparation | Check the grams per sachet and the preparation instructions. | On a busy morning, I want to skip measuring, but each sachet still needs to be the right size for my breakfast. Around 33% of consumers put portion convenience first. |
| Gluten-free suitability | Check the claims and allergen information on the specific pack; for people with coeliac disease, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies the official Crossed Grain symbol for oats. | If gluten-free suitability is essential, I need to be able to confirm this on the pack before choosing based on the texture of the oats. For around 11% of consumers, this is the first requirement. |
A pre-portioned sachet may not contain the same amount you’d serve yourself from a pack. Albert Heijn lists Quaker Oats Express Naturel sachets at 27 g each, while a 40 g portion is specified for the regular Quaker pack.
Check the amount in each sachet before deciding whether it’s enough for your breakfast.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products can be contaminated by cereals containing gluten. So the word ‘oats’ on its own doesn’t confirm that a product is suitable for someone with coeliac disease.
Check the information on the specific pack; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies the official Crossed Grain symbol for oat products suitable for people with coeliac disease.
Plain oats and flavoured breakfast mixes can contain different ingredients and have different nutritional values. The product name alone doesn’t tell you enough about what’s going into your bowl.
If you’re switching from plain oats to a prepared mix, compare the ingredients list and nutritional information per 100 g.
Jumbo lists its own wholegrain oats in fine and jumbo varieties, including a 1 kg pack.
Golden Bridge offers fine and jumbo wholegrain oats as a base for a breakfast you can customise.
Quaker offers both a pack of loose wholegrain oats and Oats Express with pre-portioned sachets.
Brinta offers oats with extra-fine flakes if that’s the texture you prefer.
Albert Heijn lists its own fine wholegrain oats, as well as product information for brands including Brinta and Quaker.
Below you’ll find an Express option and three packs of oats for a breakfast you can customise. For the Express option, check the portion information; for each pack, read the ingredients and allergen information on the label.
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If you’re considering an Express option for breakfast, check the pack to see how many portions it contains and how many grams you use each time.
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A 600 g pack of oats for a breakfast where you choose the amount yourself. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the pack.
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If you’re considering this 500 g pack as a breakfast staple, read the ingredients list to see which grains it contains and check the allergen information.
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A 375 g pack of oats for anyone who likes to measure out portions at home. Compare the ingredients and preparation instructions with those of the other packs you’re considering.
Choose the texture you prefer: fine and jumbo oats are different types of product, but neither is better for every breakfast. Brinta lists extra-fine oats, while Jumbo lists both fine and jumbo wholegrain oats. Check the preparation instructions on the pack you choose.
Portion sachets are useful if you don’t want to measure out your own oats, as long as each sachet contains the right amount for your breakfast. Albert Heijn lists Quaker Oats Express Naturel as 12 sachets of 27 g, with a preparation time of 2 minutes; follow the instructions on the pack you choose.
Don’t automatically assume that regular oats are suitable for people with coeliac disease. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that oat products may be contaminated with gluten and identifies the official Crossed Grain symbol for oat products that are suitable. Check the information on the specific pack.
Read the ingredients list and nutritional information for that variety rather than assuming it has the same composition as plain oats. Breakfast products can differ in added ingredients, sugars and salt; the information per 100 g helps you compare packs on a like-for-like basis.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack. The product information for Brinta and Quaker on Albert Heijn’s website says to store in a dry place; the relevant Quaker pack also says to keep cool.
