Choose a larger pack of porridge oats if you can measure out portions for the family at home. If you’d rather hand out portions at the picnic without measuring, choose individual instant portions. You’ll still need liquid, utensils and possibly equipment to prepare them. Check the current label for the variety you choose to make sure it’s suitable for everyone.
If you portion the oats into containers in advance or take one resealable pack with you, you can decide how much to serve each person. For example, Jumbo lists a 1 kg pack of fine wholegrain porridge oats, while Albert Heijn lists a 600 g pack of Quaker oats. Neither is a pack of individual instant portions.
If you want to give each family member their own portion, individual packs are another option. Albert Heijn lists Quaker Oats Express Naturel as a pack containing 12 portions. Check the preparation instructions before you pack your things, too.
If ingredients or allergens matter to anyone in your group, check the exact variety. Albert Heijn lists Brinta porridge oats as containing 100% oat flakes, with possible traces of wheat and rye. Read the current label before use.
For a family picnic, start by deciding whether you’ll portion the oats at home or hand out individual portions at the picnic. Then check how to prepare the variety you’ve chosen.
Choose this if: you can measure out portions for several people at home, or you’d like to take one larger pack with you.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to bring containers or another way to portion the oats.
Choose this if: you want to give each person a pre-measured portion.
Bear in mind: individual portions don’t remove the need to bring liquid and utensils or to plan how you’ll prepare them.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Enough for the family | Check the net weight and decide how many portions you want to measure out yourself. | If I were packing for several people, I’d mainly want to take enough porridge oats in one pack. Around 33% of consumers put having enough for the family first. |
| Individual portions | Check how many portions are in the pack and the amount in each one. | I want to be able to give everyone in the family their own portion on the picnic blanket without measuring it out. For around 27% of consumers, easy serving is the top priority. |
| Preparing them at the picnic | Read the instructions for the exact variety and check what liquid and equipment you’ll need. | If we’re not eating until we get to the park, I want to know whether I can prepare the porridge oats there. Quick preparation is a top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label for the variety you’ve chosen, including any warnings about possible traces. | If I’m packing for someone with a relevant dietary restriction, I need to check that the exact product is suitable first. For around 13% of consumers, checking the label is their most important buying priority. |
Ingredients and warnings can vary between varieties. For example, Albert Heijn lists possible traces of wheat and rye in Brinta porridge oats.
If anyone has a relevant dietary restriction, check the current label on the exact pack you’re taking with you.
An individual portion doesn’t provide liquid or utensils. Quaker says its Oats Express range takes two minutes to prepare, but that brand claim doesn’t automatically apply to other porridge oats.
Follow the instructions for the variety you’ve chosen and decide before you leave what liquid, bowl and equipment, if any, you’ll need.
Quaker offers both regular porridge oats in a larger pack and Oats Express in individual portions.
Brinta porridge oats are an option if you want to portion out fine oat flakes yourself.
Jumbo’s own-brand range includes fine wholegrain porridge oats in a larger pack for you to portion yourself.
Albert Heijn lists both Quaker packs and AH wholegrain fine-flake porridge oats.
Lidl lists oat flakes for anyone who wants to prepare their own picnic portions.
Golden Bridge offers fine and coarse wholegrain porridge oats for anyone who wants to portion them out themselves.
These Quaker packs are worth considering if you’re looking for porridge oats for a picnic. Check each variety to see whether you’ll need to portion it yourself and whether you can prepare it at the picnic.
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If you’re taking portions for several people on a picnic, check how many individual portions this pack contains. The stated preparation method requires a microwave or saucepan. Before use, check the current label for possible traces of soya, barley and wheat, too.
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If you’re planning to share this pack among family members, check the portion size and preparation instructions. Read the current label for the ingredients and warnings about possible traces of barley and wheat.
No. Jumbo lists a 1 kg pack of fine wholegrain porridge oats for you to portion yourself, while Albert Heijn lists Quaker Oats Express Naturel with 12 individual portions. For any other product, check both the type of packaging and the preparation instructions.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the current label for the exact variety. For example, Albert Heijn lists possible traces of wheat and rye in Brinta porridge oats. Don’t assume the same applies to other brands or varieties.
Keep the porridge oats dry and take a portion with you in a clean, dry container. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing opened porridge oats in a kitchen cupboard for up to one year. It also identifies a musty smell or soft texture as signs of spoilage. Follow any stricter instructions on the pack.
