Sugar-conscious home worker
You want oats for lunch and understand the difference between ‘sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugar’. So compare the ingredients with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.
Who are these options relevant for?
Home worker with a short lunch break
You’re looking for oats that are ready in just a few minutes. Check that the stated preparation method works with the equipment and ingredients you want to use at home.
Lunch planner looking for protein or checking allergens
You compare the protein per serving and read the ingredients and allergen information, especially for products with added milk or soya.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a strict requirement or whether you mainly want to avoid added sugars. Then compare the preparation method and the ingredients that matter for your lunch.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar claim | Read the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Under European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim is limited to a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If ‘sugar-free’ is a strict requirement for my lunch, I don’t want to rely on ‘no added sugar’ alone. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this exact sugar claim. |
| Preparation time | Compare the preparation times and check whether you need a microwave, a pan or boiling water. | Between appointments, I want to know whether my oats will be ready in time. For around 30% of consumers, a short preparation time is the top priority. |
| Protein per serving | Compare the protein per 100 g and per serving, and check which ingredients the product contains. | If I’m looking for extra protein in my lunch, I want to know how much is in the portion I’ll actually eat. For around 20% of consumers, this is the first priority when buying. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Check the current packaging to see which allergens the product contains and which potential traces are listed. | If I need to avoid milk, soya or certain cereals, I give the allergen information more weight than ease of preparation. This is the main consideration for around 10% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’
A product with no added sugar can still contain sugars. Brinta Oatmeal (450 g) lists 0.8 g of sugars per 100 g, and the Quaker Oatmeal (375 g) reviewed lists 1.1 g. Both figures are above the 0.5 g per 100 g limit for the European ‘sugar-free’ claim.
If that claim is essential for you, check the current ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.
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Comparing dry oats with a prepared lunch
Nutrition information per 100 g of dry product doesn’t automatically describe the lunch you make by adding milk, yoghurt or toppings.
First compare oat products on the same basis, then take the ingredients in your prepared portion into account when choosing.
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Overlooking allergens in a product with extra protein
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Quaker Protein Natural contains milk powder and soya ingredients. This means it isn’t suitable if you need to avoid milk or soya.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging before buying.
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Treating ‘organic’ or ‘own brand’ as a sugar claim
An organic label, brand name or choice of fine or coarse flakes doesn’t tell you how much sugar the oats contain.
For Crownfield and Golden Bridge, check the ingredients, ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and allergen information on the packaging of the variant you choose.
Brands to consider
Brinta
Brinta Oatmeal (450 g) is a variety made with fine oat flakes.
- Albert Heijn lists 100% oat flakes as the ingredients and 0.8 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The listed sugar content is above the European limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. The packaging also warns that traces of wheat and rye may be present.
Quaker
Quaker offers plain oats, Express portions and Protein Natural, among other products.
- For the plain Oatmeal (375 g) reviewed, Albert Heijn lists 100% wholegrain oats as the ingredients and 1.1 g of sugars per 100 g. Joybuy describes Express Oatmeal (324 g) as taking around 2 minutes to prepare.
- The sugar content means the plain variety reviewed doesn’t meet the European limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. According to Albert Heijn, Protein Natural contains milk and soya; compare the ingredients of each variety.
Golden Bridge
ALDI Netherlands lists fine and coarse wholegrain oats under this own-brand label.
- Having the choice of fine or coarse flakes is useful if the texture you want is a deciding factor.
- If you’re checking sugar content or allergens, read the nutrition information and allergen information on the packaging you choose.
Crownfield
Lidl Netherlands lists Crownfield Organic Oatmeal in a 500 g pack.
- The product name makes clear that these are organic oats.
- ‘Organic’ doesn’t tell you about the sugar content. For that, check the nutrition information and ingredients on the current packaging.
Oats for different lunch needs
These Joybuy products give you a choice between quick-to-prepare portions and plain oats as a base for a work-from-home lunch. Don’t assume any of them are sugar-free based on the product name alone.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
An option if you’re short on time to prepare an oat-based lunch. Joybuy says this Express variety takes around 2 minutes to prepare. Check the preparation instructions, sugar content and allergens on the current packaging.
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Brinta Oatmeal 450 g
A plain oat base for you to customise with your own lunch ingredients. Albert Heijn lists 100% oat flakes and 0.8 g of sugars per 100 g for Brinta Oatmeal (450 g). That’s above the European limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. Check the precautionary trace warning on the packaging too.
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Quaker Oatmeal 600 g
An oat base for anyone who wants to put their own lunch together. For this 600 g pack, compare the ingredients, ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and allergen information before deciding whether it suits your sugar requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugar’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?
No. ‘No added sugar’ doesn’t rule out sugars that occur naturally, while under European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 the ‘sugar-free’ claim allows a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check both the ingredients and the nutrition information.
Which sugar figure should I compare when choosing oats?
If you want to check whether the oats meet the European limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Also check whether the nutrition information is for dry oats or a prepared portion.
Can I have oats for a work-from-home lunch?
Yes, oats can also make a good base for lunch, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out. What you add will also affect the nutritional value and allergens of the prepared meal.
Are all oats suitable if I avoid milk, soya or certain cereals?
No. Check the allergen information for the specific pack. For the plain Brinta and Quaker varieties reviewed, Albert Heijn warns that other cereals may be present. Quaker Protein Natural also contains milk and soya ingredients. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label.