Who are these options for?

Parents who want to avoid sugar as an ingredient

For a simple oat base, check the ingredients list. Also read the nutrition information per 100 g: the ‘of which sugars’ line doesn’t mean the same as added sugars.

Parents short on preparation time

If you need to get something on the table quickly after school, fine flakes and plain individual sachets are worth considering. Compare the preparation time and check what else you’ll need to add.

Parents managing allergies or school requirements

If your child needs to avoid certain grains or takes food to school or an after-school club, the current allergen label and the rules at that setting are what matter. Don’t assume ordinary porridge oats are gluten-free.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the ingredients in the dry oats. Then consider which preparation method and pack suit tea time, and always check the label if your child has an allergy.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Sugar in the oat base Read the ingredients list and compare the nutrition information for dry products per 100 g. I want to decide for myself what goes in the bowl, so I’m looking for a base with no sugar listed as a separate ingredient. Around 33% of consumers put this first.
Preparation time Check the preparation instructions and how much milk or water is needed. I want to prepare a serving quickly after school, without a long cooking time. For around 27% of consumers, quick preparation matters most.
Allergens and arrangements outside the home Read the allergen label on the exact pack and, if needed, check with the school or after-school club what your child can bring. If my child needs to avoid certain grains, the pack I choose must meet their needs and the school’s requirements. Around 20% of consumers give this their highest priority.
Loose flakes or individual sachets Consider whether you want to measure out each serving yourself or use a pre-portioned pack. I want to choose how much porridge I make each time, even if measuring it out takes a little more effort. Around 20% of consumers value this flexibility most.

Common mistakes

  • Attributing the sugars in a prepared bowl to the dry oats

    Milk, fruit and other additions change the nutritional value of the prepared serving. For Brinta Havermout, Albert Heijn lists 12 g of sugars in a serving made with 250 ml of semi-skimmed milk; the ingredients list for the dry oats states 100% oat flakes.

    Compare dry porridge oats with other dry porridge oats per 100 g. To compare prepared bowls, include the milk and any other ingredients used.

  • Assuming a flavoured variety is the same as plain porridge oats

    A flavour name doesn’t tell you which ingredients have been added. For Quaker Havermout Kaneel, Joybuy lists sugar as an ingredient and 19 g of sugars per 100 g.

    Check the ingredients and nutrition information for each variety separately. With plain porridge oats, you can choose what to add yourself.

  • Taking porridge oats to school without checking the label

    For the Quaker and Brinta varieties reviewed, Albert Heijn’s product information identifies oats as a gluten-containing grain and also warns of the possible presence of other grains. A simple ingredients list is therefore no proof that a product is gluten-free.

    Read the current pack information for the product you’ve chosen. If your child has a food allergy, discuss practical arrangements for meals with the school or after-school club in advance.

Brands compared

Albert Heijn

AH Volkoren havermout fijne vlokken is an option if you’re looking for a one-ingredient base.

  • According to Albert Heijn’s product information, this variety contains wholegrain oat flakes, 0 g of added sugars and 0.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • The label identifies oats as a gluten-containing grain and notes the possible presence of other grains. If your child has an allergy, check the current pack.

Quaker

The range in this comparison includes ordinary porridge oats and plain individual sachets. Ingredients vary between varieties.

  • According to Albert Heijn, ordinary Quaker Havermout contains 100% wholegrain oats. Quaker Oats Express Naturel takes two minutes to prepare, according to its product information.
  • Check flavoured varieties individually: Joybuy lists sugar as an ingredient in Quaker Havermout Kaneel. Also read the allergen information for the variety you choose.

Brinta

Brinta Havermout is made with oat flakes, so you can choose what to add to your prepared bowl.

  • Albert Heijn’s product information lists 100% oat flakes for these porridge oats.
  • The nutritional value of a serving prepared with milk is different from that of the dry oat flakes. The label also mentions gluten-containing grains and the possible presence of rye and wheat.

Golden Bridge

ALDI Netherlands offers fine and coarse wholegrain porridge oats under the Golden Bridge name.

  • Choosing between fine and coarse flakes lets you decide on the texture you prefer.
  • Before deciding whether a variety meets your requirements, check its ingredients, nutrition information and allergens on the pack.

Related Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does a low sugar content mean that no sugar has been added?

No. The ‘of which sugars’ line and the amount of added sugars don’t describe the same thing. For AH Volkoren havermout fijne vlokken, Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars and 0.7 g of sugars per 100 g. Also check the ingredients list for the variety you buy.

Why does a bowl of porridge made with milk contain more sugars than dry porridge oats?

The milk contributes to the nutritional value of the prepared bowl. For Brinta, Albert Heijn lists 12 g of sugars in a serving made with 40 g of porridge oats and 250 ml of semi-skimmed milk. Only compare prepared servings if you also take the ingredients used into account.

Are ordinary porridge oats automatically gluten-free?

No, don’t assume they are. For the AH, Quaker and Brinta varieties reviewed, Albert Heijn’s product information identifies oats as a gluten-containing grain and/or notes the possible presence of other grains. If your child has coeliac disease or an allergy, check the current pack and follow their healthcare professional’s advice.

What should I arrange if my child takes porridge oats to school?

If your child has a food allergy or coeliac disease, discuss in advance the food and hygiene arrangements they need. Stichting Voedselallergie recommends talking to the teacher and the school’s special educational needs co-ordinator. Also check the label on the exact pack you’re sending in.