For a shared breakfast, first compare the carbohydrates per weighed portion, then choose a pack size that suits how much your household gets through. A 1 kg pack is practical if you use it regularly and can store it properly after opening; if you use less, 600 g, 500 g or 450 g may be a better fit. Pack size does not determine what portion is right for someone with diabetes.
If everyone in the family has the same breakfast but eats a different amount, the nutritional information per 100 g can help you work out the carbohydrates in each person’s dry portion. Count milk and toppings separately.
If you often make porridge for several people, compare the pack size and stated number of portions with how much your household gets through. A larger pack also needs a suitable place to store it once opened.
If you don’t use porridge oats very often, a smaller pack may be more convenient. If you want to make porridge quickly, you can also check the type of oats and the preparation instructions.
First, decide which nutritional information you need for the portion you use. Then consider how much porridge oats your household gets through and how you like to prepare them.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates and portion size | Check the carbohydrates, of which sugars, and fibre per 100 g. Work out the carbohydrates for the actual amount of dry porridge oats you use, and count any additions separately. | If I weigh my portion, I want to work out how many carbohydrates are in my whole breakfast. For around 44% of consumers, portion control comes first. |
| Pack size and storage | Compare the pack size and stated number of portions with how much your household gets through. Check how to store the pack after opening. | When several family members regularly eat porridge oats, I want a pack that suits how quickly we’ll use it up. Around 33% of consumers say choosing the right amount to keep in stock is their top priority. |
| Preparation and oat type | Check the type of oats and the preparation instructions. See whether the nutritional value per portion applies to dry porridge oats or to a prepared bowl. | On busy mornings, I want to know how to prepare the oats and which additions are included in the nutritional value for a portion. Around 23% of consumers put ease of preparation first. |
Plain porridge oats still contain carbohydrates. According to diabetes.nl, the total amount of carbohydrates is relevant when you’re reviewing your diet with diabetes.
Check both ‘carbohydrates’ and ‘of which sugars’ on the label, and work out the amount for your own portion, including any additions.
The portion value for Brinta Porridge Oats is based on preparation with semi-skimmed milk. It therefore doesn’t describe the oat flakes alone.
Compare products using the nutritional information per 100 g of dry porridge oats. Then count milk, yoghurt, fruit or other additions separately.
A 1 kg pack may not be the best fit if your household only eats porridge oats occasionally. Jumbo also recommends storing its pack in a cool, dry place and sealing the bag securely after use.
Estimate how much porridge oats your family uses altogether before choosing between a 1 kg pack and a smaller one.
Jumbo offers, among other products, a 1 kg pack of fine wholegrain oat flakes.
The Quaker Porridge Oats value pack contains 600 g of plain wholegrain oats.
Brinta Porridge Oats contains 450 g of extra-fine oat flakes.
Golden Bridge offers fine and coarse wholegrain porridge oats in 500 g packs.
No, the pack alone can’t determine that. Plain porridge oats contain carbohydrates, and diabetes.nl points out that it’s important to know how many carbohydrates you consume. Your portion size and any additions also count. For personalised dietary advice, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends speaking to a dietitian.
No, check the total amount of carbohydrates, the fibre and the ingredients too. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, this nutritional information is shown per 100 g on the label. Use it to work out the values for your own portion.
A 1 kg pack is practical when several family members eat porridge oats regularly and your household can store the contents properly. Jumbo states that its 1 kg pack contains 25 portions. Compare that with how much your household actually gets through before choosing a large pack.
Portion sachets make it easy to identify a measured amount, but you can also weigh out porridge oats from a large bag yourself. Check the ingredients and carbohydrates for both options. For a portion sachet, also check whether the nutritional information applies to the dry product or the prepared portion.
