Solo eater short on preparation time
Wants to grab a portion without weighing it out. A sachet is especially handy somewhere that also has the liquid, a bowl and suitable cooking facilities you need.
Who are these packs for?
Stock-up shopper comparing labels
When buying a small amount to keep in stock, pay close attention to the ingredients, nutritional information, allergens and quantity per pack. A plain version and a sweetened portion won’t necessarily have the same recipe.
On-the-go eater with access to boiling water
Is considering a pot because it doesn’t need a separate bowl. With a pot such as Quaker Pots Protein Naturel, the ingredients, including milk powder and soya protein, also matter when choosing.
What should you look for when choosing?
If you’re stocking up for one, first consider what you can prepare where you’ll be eating. Then compare the recipe and portion size.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Check whether you’ll need a bowl, liquid and a microwave or pan, or whether boiling water is enough. | If I don’t have a bowl or microwave at work, I want to know whether I can actually prepare the portion there. Around 42% of consumers put available cooking facilities first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, nutritional information per portion and allergen information; don’t assume plain products and mixes have the same recipe. | When I’m stocking up for several days, I want to know what’s in each portion. For around 33% of consumers, the recipe is the deciding factor. |
| Portions and packaging | Compare the number of portions and the amount per portion; with a large pack, you’ll need to measure it out yourself. | I want to be able to count individual portions, or choose how much to use from a pack. For around 25% of consumers, the type of packaging matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a sachet is a ready-to-eat snack
A measured portion still needs to be prepared. According to the product information, preparing Quaker Oats Express Naturel hot requires, among other things, a bowl and a heat source.
Read the preparation instructions before keeping sachets at work or taking them with you on the go. Consider a pot if you have access to boiling water but not a bowl.
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Assuming every porridge sachet has the same recipe
The product information for Jumbo Havermout Porties Original lists sugar as an ingredient and states that each 27 g portion contains 2,9 g of sugars. That’s a different recipe from a plain sachet.
Compare the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ figure using the same quantity, for example per portion.
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Comparing only the number of sachets
Pack sizes can differ in portion size and overall quantity. A larger pack doesn’t contain pre-measured individual portions.
Check the number of grams per portion and consider whether you’d rather measure it out yourself or grab a sachet each time.
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Assuming oats are automatically gluten-free
According to Voedingscentrum, oat products can come into contact with gluten during processing. So the word ‘oats’ alone doesn’t mean a product is gluten-free.
If gluten-free is a requirement, check the current packaging for the official Crossed Grain symbol.
Brands and retailers to consider
Quaker
Quaker offers both Oats Express Naturel sachets and a Pots Protein Naturel pot. The right format depends on where you’ll be preparing it.
- The Oats Express Naturel pack reviewed contains 12 portions of 27 g.
- According to the product information, preparing the sachets hot requires a bowl and cooking facilities. The pot contains milk powder and soya protein.
Jumbo
Jumbo Havermout Porties Original is a pack containing five individual portions of 27 g.
- The portions are pre-measured.
- Jumbo lists sugar as an ingredient and states that each portion contains 2,9 g of sugars. Don’t compare this product as though it has the same recipe as a plain sachet.
Brinta
The Brinta Havermout product reviewed comes in a 450 g pack, not a pack of individual portions.
- Albert Heijn lists 100% oat flakes as the ingredients.
- You’ll need to measure out your own portions; according to the product information, the product may contain traces of wheat and rye.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn provides product information for Quaker Oats Express Naturel and other porridge packs.
- The product information helps you compare portion formats and ingredients.
- Check a specific pot variety before buying: the page reviewed for Quaker Havermout pot natural was marked ‘discontinued’.
Lidl
Lidl sells items including a 500 g pack of coarse porridge oats.
- A larger pack is an option if you want to measure out your own portions.
- Check the format if you’re specifically looking for individual instant portions; a pack of porridge oats won’t give you that convenience.
ALDI
The Golden Bridge fine wholegrain porridge oats reviewed come in a 500 g pack.
- A larger pack lets you decide how much to use each time.
- The pack doesn’t contain pre-measured individual portions.
Porridge products on Joybuy
These products are options for stocking up when you’re buying for one: a Quaker porridge pack and two Family Whole porridge mixes. Compare the preparation instructions and ingredients before choosing; the mixes aren’t plain porridge oats.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal, 324 g
An option if you want to keep porridge for one in stock and can prepare it where you’ll be eating. The pack contains 324 g; check the label for portion sizes, preparation instructions and allergens.
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Family Whole porridge mix with milk and glucose, 838 g
An option if you want to prepare individual sachets somewhere with access to boiling water. This is a mix with milk, not plain porridge oats; check the nutritional information, allergens and the contents of the included glucose sachets.
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Family Whole oat flakes with red dates, raisins and glucose, 838 g
An option if you’re looking for a porridge mix with red dates and raisins in individual sachets and have access to boiling water. Check the sugars per 100 g, allergens and the contents of the included glucose sachets on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Can you eat a sachet of instant porridge straight from the pack?
A sachet isn’t automatically a ready-to-eat snack. According to the product information, preparing Quaker Oats Express Naturel hot requires 180 ml of milk, a bowl and two minutes of heating; check the preparation instructions for other products.
Which pack should I choose if I only have boiling water?
A pot can be handy as you won’t need a separate bowl. Quaker says to add boiling water to Pots Protein Naturel; check the ingredients too, as this pot contains milk powder and soya protein.
Is every portion of oats gluten-free?
No, the word ‘oats’ doesn’t confirm that. According to Voedingscentrum, oat products can come into contact with gluten during processing. If gluten-free is a requirement, check the pack for the official Crossed Grain symbol.
Should I read the label again when buying the product again?
Yes, check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens again. Albert Heijn notes that product information can change and recommends reading the label before use.