Parents short on time in the morning
If breakfast has to fit in between feeding, getting dressed and heading out, compare preparation times and check whether you’ll need to measure out a portion. Quick to prepare doesn’t automatically mean organic.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Parents who want to buy organic
If you want an organic base for your own breakfast or a family breakfast, look for the EU organic logo and check the ingredients list. Words such as ‘natural’ don’t, on their own, mean a product is organically certified.
Households that need to check for allergens
If you have coeliac disease or a relevant food allergy, check the label of every oat product individually. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats are suitable for someone with coeliac disease only if the packaging carries the official Crossed Grain symbol.
What should you look for?
First decide whether organic certification is essential and how much time you have to prepare breakfast. Then check that the ingredients and allergen information are suitable for whoever will be eating the porridge.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it’s most relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Organic and simply made | Look for the EU organic logo and check whether the ingredients list suits what you want to add yourself. | I want a verifiably organic oat base and to choose what goes into my breakfast. Around 34% of consumers give this need the highest priority. |
| Preparation and portions | Compare the preparation instructions and check whether the product is already portioned. | When I’m short on time in the morning, I want to spend as little time as possible measuring or waiting. For around 33% of consumers, convenience comes first. |
| Allergens and coeliac disease | Read the latest allergen information; if you have coeliac disease, look for the official Crossed Grain symbol. | I need to know exactly which grains or other allergens may be in the porridge I serve at home. This is the first thing around 13% of consumers look for when buying. |
| Packaging and availability | Check the pack size and whether you can buy the product through the shop or channel you use. | When porridge oats are a regular part of our breakfast, I want a pack size that suits how we use them and a product that’s easy to find again. Around 20% of consumers put this need first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘organic’ tells you everything about the ingredients
Organic certification doesn’t tell you whether a porridge oat product contains added sugar, salt or other ingredients. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking breakfast cereals for added sugar and salt too.
As well as checking the organic label, read the ingredients list and nutritional information. With plain oats, you can decide for yourself what to add.
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Assuming organic oats are suitable for coeliac disease
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products can be contaminated with gluten. Organic certification doesn’t remove the need for a specific check if you have coeliac disease.
If you have coeliac disease, choose only oats with the official Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging, and check the rest of the allergen information too.
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Using porridge oats for adults as baby porridge without checking
An instant breakfast product for adults may not be suitable as porridge for a baby. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing baby porridge with no added sugar or salt.
Check the age guidance, ingredients and preparation instructions. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, you shouldn’t make porridge for a baby under one with ordinary cow’s milk.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
The own-brand range includes 500 g of organic wholegrain porridge oats for a simple oat base.
- Jumbo says this product is made from wholegrain oats of organic origin; the stated preparation is 3 minutes of cooking followed by 3 minutes to stand.
- The product information lists oats and possible traces of other allergens. Check the label if allergens or coeliac disease are a concern.
Quaker
Oats Express Natural is a portioned porridge oat product for anyone who wants to do less measuring.
- Albert Heijn lists this natural variety as twelve 27 g portions, taking 2 minutes to prepare in the microwave or in a pan.
- Check the packaging separately if organic certification is essential, and read the information about possible allergens.
Zonnatura
Its organic breakfast cereal options also include a mixed porridge oat product.
- According to Jumbo’s product information, the Bio Havermout Proteïne product reviewed contains oat, spelt and soya flakes.
- This is a mix, not plain porridge oats. Check the allergens and current availability of the specific variety.
CROWNFIELD
Lidl lists organic porridge oats in a 500 g pack under this own-brand label.
- Lidl describes the variety reviewed as organic and says it’s available in store only.
- Before choosing, check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens on the pack in store.
GOLDEN BRIDGE
ALDI lists fine wholegrain porridge oats under this own-brand label as another oat option.
- The product listing reviewed is for 500 g of fine wholegrain porridge oats.
- If you’re specifically looking for organic porridge oats, check the packaging of this variety for an organic label.
Porridge oats on Joybuy
This oat base is suited to anyone who wants to choose their own portions and toppings. Check the preparation instructions if a quick breakfast is essential for you.
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Zonnatura organic wholegrain porridge oats 500 g
For anyone looking for an organic oat base and wanting to choose their own portions and toppings.
Check the preparation instructions if speed matters. If you have allergies, read the latest information on the packaging; if you have coeliac disease, look for the official Crossed Grain symbol.
Frequently asked questions
How can I recognise organic porridge oats?
Look for the EU organic logo on the packaging. According to the European Commission, the logo may be used only on products certified as organic by an authorised control authority or control body. It’s compulsory for most prepacked organic food produced and sold as organic in the EU.
Are organic porridge oats suitable for coeliac disease?
Not on the basis of the organic label alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises people with coeliac disease to choose only oat products with the official Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging.
Can I use ordinary instant porridge oats as baby porridge?
First check that the product and preparation method are suitable for your baby’s age. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing baby porridge with no added sugar or salt; don’t use ordinary cow’s milk to make porridge for a baby under one.
Which porridge oats are suitable for a toddler’s breakfast?
For children aged 1 to 3, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists porridge oats and other wholegrain breakfast cereals with no added sugar or salt as options to vary their breakfast. Check the ingredients of an instant variety separately: the product name doesn’t tell you what has been added.