Breakfast eater looking to avoid added sugar
You’re looking for a simple oat base rather than a sweetened mix. Read the ingredients list and compare the sugars per 100 g, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends when comparing labels.
Who is this relevant to?
Breakfast eater with a set morning routine
You want to prepare a measured portion quickly. For sachets, check the ingredients of the exact variety you’re buying: plain and flavoured versions may not have the same ingredients.
Budget-conscious small household
You want to measure out what you use, so you’re comparing loose flakes with portion packs. Remember to check the pack size and storage instructions too.
What should you look for?
Start with the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g. Then decide how much convenience a pre-measured portion is worth to you and which pack size suits your household.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugar | Read the ingredients list and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g across similar oat products. This nutritional value also includes naturally occurring sugars. | If I want to put together a simple breakfast, I want to be able to see what ingredients are in the porridge oats. Around 50% of consumers prioritise avoiding added sugar. |
| Ease of preparation | Check the preparation time, portion size and ingredients of the plain variety you’ve chosen. | On busy mornings, I don’t want to measure out a portion every time, but I also don’t want to automatically choose a sweetened mix. Around 30% of consumers give convenience top priority. |
| Packaging and use | Compare the cost per kilo, pack size and storage instructions for loose flakes and sachets. | In a smaller household, I want to be able to portion out what I need and finish the pack. For around 20% of consumers, this is the most important factor in their choice. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming that ‘oats’ means a simple list of ingredients
Biscuits, bars and ready-made porridge can also contain oats. That doesn’t mean their ingredients or nutritional values are the same as those of plain porridge oats.
Compare a convenience product with plain porridge oats by checking the ingredients list and nutritional information per 100 g.
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Looking only at the sugars figure
‘Of which sugars’ shows the total amount of sugars; on its own, the figure doesn’t tell you whether a sweetener has been added.
Read the ingredients list too, and look out for ingredients such as sugar, honey and syrup.
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Choosing portion convenience without comparing the cost per kilo
Individual sachets can suit a set routine, but the type of packaging also affects what you’re buying.
Compare the cost per kilo and decide which mornings a pre-measured portion would make a difference for you.
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Judging the porridge oats alone, rather than the whole bowl
Milk, yoghurt and toppings all contribute to the nutritional value of your breakfast. The values on a pack of dry porridge oats don’t automatically describe the prepared bowl.
When comparing breakfasts, consider what you add to your porridge oats too.
Brands to consider
Brinta
The plain porridge oats are an option if you want to portion out loose oat flakes yourself.
- Albert Heijn and Joybuy list 100% oat flakes as the ingredient in Brinta Porridge Oats.
- If you have a relevant allergy, check the allergen information on the pack; the product information mentions possible traces of wheat and rye.
Quaker
Oats Express Plain is a portion-sized option for anyone looking for a set amount and quick preparation.
- The product information for Oats Express Plain 324 g lists wholegrain oats as an ingredient and gives a preparation time of 2 minutes.
- If you use these portions regularly, compare the cost per kilo with loose flakes; other Quaker varieties may have different ingredients.
Jumbo
The own-label range includes loose fine and coarse wholegrain porridge oats, including a 1 kg pack.
- You can choose a pack size to suit how much porridge oats you use at home.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the variety you choose.
Golden Bridge
ALDI Netherlands sells its fine wholegrain porridge oats in a 500 g pack.
- A set pack size you can compare with other loose flakes.
- If added sugar is your main concern, check the ingredients and sugars per 100 g on the pack.
Porridge oat products on Joybuy
These products include loose porridge oats and an Express variety for anyone considering preparation time. Compare the ingredients on the exact pack: the Express Protein variety is not the same product as Oats Express Plain.
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Brinta Oatmeal 450 g
For anyone who wants to measure out loose oat flakes and put together breakfast to suit their tastes.
450 g pack. Joybuy lists 100% oat flakes as the ingredient and 0.8 g sugars per 100 g. If you have a relevant allergy, check the allergen information on the pack.
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Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal 500 g
For anyone who wants to compare a loose pack with other oat products and measure out their own portions.
500 g pack. Check the product label for the exact ingredients, allergens and sugars per 100 g.
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Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g
For anyone considering an Express variety and wanting to compare its ingredients with regular porridge oats.
302 g pack. This is the Protein variety; don’t assume the information for Oats Express Plain applies to it. Check the ingredients and allergens for this variety, especially if you’re looking for oats only or need to avoid soya.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean porridge oats contain no sugar?
No. A product with no added sugars may still contain naturally occurring sugars. Check both the ingredients list and ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g; for example, Jumbo lists 1 g sugars per 100 g for Quaker Oats Express Plain.
How do I compare porridge oats when portion sizes differ?
First compare the nutritional information per 100 g, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends. Then consider how much you use for breakfast and which ingredients you add.
Can an oat bar replace plain porridge oats?
Treat an oat bar as a different type of product, not as the same oat base. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, pre-packed oat bars often contain plenty of sugar, saturated fat and calories too; check the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific bar.
How should I store porridge oats in a small household?
Follow the storage instructions and use-by date on the pack you choose. Before buying, check whether the pack size suits how much porridge oats you use.