Parents who prioritise organic sourcing
You want to be able to check that the oats are organic before serving them for lunch. Regular organic porridge oats could be a good fit, even if they take longer to prepare than instant oats.
Who are these options suitable for?
Families who want a quick lunch
You have little time to prepare and want to know in advance how many steps it takes to make a portion. Compare the preparation instructions rather than relying on words such as ‘fine’ or ‘instant’ on the front of the pack.
Shoppers who need to check gluten and allergens
You need to check the grains and other allergens listed on each pack. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, people with coeliac disease should also look for the official Crossed Grain mark on the oat product.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a school holiday lunch, the choice largely comes down to whether organic sourcing or a short preparation time matters more. The examples from Jumbo and Quaker show why you should check these qualities separately.
Organic porridge oats
Choose these when: verifiable organic sourcing and a simple oat base are your priorities; Jumbo lists only organic wholegrain oats as an ingredient in its organic wholegrain porridge oats.
The trade-off: the instructions for this Jumbo variant say to cook it for three minutes, then leave it to stand for three minutes.
Instant oats
Choose these when: quick preparation and individual portions matter more; according to Albert Heijn, Quaker Oats Express Naturel takes two minutes to prepare.
The trade-off: check the organic claim on the exact pack separately; quick preparation does not confirm organic sourcing.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Organic sourcing | For a pre-packed organic product, look for the EU organic logo, the control code and the country-of-origin statement. | If organic sourcing is the deciding factor for me, I want to be able to identify it on the pack. Around 33% of consumers put this check first. |
| Preparation time | Read the preparation steps and check that the portion size suits your planned lunch. | If lunch needs to be ready quickly, I don’t want to spend ages measuring or cooking. Saving time is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Compare the ingredients lists and decide whether you want to choose any additions yourself. | I want to use the oats as a simple base and decide for myself what goes into the bowl for lunch. This freedom is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the latest allergen information; if you have coeliac disease, also check for the official Crossed Grain mark. | If gluten or other allergens limit my choice of products, the exact pack needs to be suitable. Around 13% of consumers give this check the highest priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘organic’ means ‘instant’
An organic claim tells you nothing about preparation time. Jumbo’s instructions for its organic wholegrain porridge oats say to cook them for three minutes, then leave them to stand for three minutes.
If lunch needs to be ready in a few minutes, read the instructions for the exact product.
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Assuming organic oats are gluten-free
Organic sourcing and wholegrain oats do not rule out gluten contamination. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre states that oat products are suitable for people with coeliac disease only if the official Crossed Grain mark appears on the packaging.
Check for the mark on the specific pack and also read the latest allergen information.
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Treating an oat mix as plain porridge oats
Zonnatura Bio Havermout Proteïne is an organic mix containing oats, spelt and soya, among other ingredients; it is not a product made from oats alone.
If you’re looking for a pure oat base, read the full ingredients and allergen lists for any mix.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo Biologisch Volkoren Havermout 500 g is an example of organic porridge oats that you can use as the base for a lunch made to your own taste.
- Jumbo lists only organic wholegrain oats as an ingredient and displays the control code NL-BIO-01.
- The stated hot preparation method takes three minutes of cooking, followed by three minutes to stand.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers AH organic porridge oat varieties with fine and jumbo flakes.
- The varieties give you a starting point for comparing the type of flakes you prefer.
- Check the ingredients, organic claim and preparation method on each pack you choose; the type of flake does not determine whether a product is instant.
CROWNFIELD
Lidl Netherlands lists a 500 g product called Organic porridge oats under the CROWNFIELD brand.
- The product name makes this an organic porridge oat option to look out for when shopping.
- Read the ingredients and preparation instructions on the pack before deciding whether this variety suits a quick lunch.
Quaker
Quaker Oats Express Naturel is a portion-packed oat option for anyone looking for quick preparation.
- Albert Heijn says this variant takes two minutes to prepare.
- Check any organic claims separately and read the allergen information: this variant may contain soya, barley and wheat.
Zonnatura
Zonnatura Bio Havermout Proteïne is an organic mix containing oats, spelt and soya, rather than plain porridge oats.
- The ingredients list shows which types of grain are in this particular mix.
- Jumbo lists this variant as no longer available in its online range; check current availability and allergen information.
Oat product for a quick lunch on Joybuy
This product is worth considering if you’re looking for oats that are quick to prepare for a school holiday lunch. Check the pack separately to see whether this variant is organic and what it says about preparation and allergens.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
An option to consider if quick preparation matters at lunchtime; compare this variant’s preparation instructions with the time you have available.
324 g pack. Before buying, check the organic claim and the latest allergen information on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
How can I recognise certified organic porridge oats?
For a pre-packed organic product, check the EU organic logo, the code of the control body and the country-of-origin statement on the packaging. According to the European Commission, the EU organic logo may only be used on products certified as organic by an authorised body.
Are organic porridge oats automatically gluten-free?
No. An organic claim does not confirm that a product is suitable for people with coeliac disease. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says oat products are suitable for them only when the official Crossed Grain mark appears on the packaging.
Can I have porridge oats for lunch during the school holidays?
Yes. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, porridge oats can also be eaten for lunch. What else you add to the bowl and how you prepare the oats affect the meal’s final nutritional value.
How long does it take to prepare Jumbo Biologisch Volkoren Havermout?
Jumbo’s instructions for its Biologisch Volkoren Havermout 500 g say to cook it for three minutes, then leave it to stand for three minutes. So allow more time than you would for a product whose packaging states a two-minute preparation time.
What should I check just before buying?
Read the latest packaging for the exact variant and check the ingredients, allergens, organic claim, portion size and preparation method. For Quaker Oats Express Naturel, Albert Heijn notes that product information can change.