Cupboard planners
You want to make a portion from one pack on several evenings. Pack size, the best-before date and sealing the pack properly after opening are all important considerations.
Which option is right for you?
The main trade-off is how much convenience you want late in the evening, compared with how much flexibility you need when storing and measuring out your oats.
Quick evening eaters
You want to make a warm bowl late in the evening without much preparation. Fine oats or single-portion sachets are worth considering if preparation time and measuring out portions are key factors for you.
Label-conscious eaters
You compare ingredients, nutritional information and allergens before choosing a pack. If you have coeliac disease, the certification mark on the packaging also deserves particular attention.
What should you look for?
First, decide whether you want to measure out your own portion or have a set portion ready to go. Then check that the preparation method, ingredients and packaging suit what you need late in the evening.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and pack size | Check the pack weight, best-before date and storage instructions for after opening. Think about how many portions you want to get from an opened pack. | I want to use the same pack of porridge oats on several evenings and seal it properly between uses. For around 36% of consumers, suitability for keeping in the cupboard comes first. |
| Quick preparation | Compare the stated preparation time and check whether you need to measure out a portion or get individual portions in separate packs. | If I want something warm late in the evening, I don’t want to spend much time measuring and preparing it. Speed is the main consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients list and compare the nutritional information for the options you’re considering. | I want to know what’s in my porridge oats before adding anything myself. Around 21% of consumers give ingredients top priority. |
| Gluten and allergens | Check the current allergen information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that people with coeliac disease should look for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the pack when choosing oat products. | I need to be able to check whether the grains and other allergens listed are relevant to me. For around 14% of consumers, checking the label comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming plain porridge oats are automatically gluten-free
Oat products can come into contact with cereals containing gluten. That’s why the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking for the official Crossed Grain symbol on oat products for people with coeliac disease.
Check for the symbol and read the current information about ingredients and possible allergens on the pack.
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Judging a product by the front of the pack alone
The ingredients and nutritional value of your finished snack also depend on which option you choose and what you add to it. A short description on the front won’t tell you everything about what’s inside.
Turn the pack over and compare the ingredients list and nutritional information for the products you’re actually considering buying.
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Putting an opened pack away without sealing it
If you’re using a pack over several evenings, it’s important to seal it properly again after each use.
Store porridge oats in a dry place, seal the pack or storage container tightly, and put the packs that need using first at the front. Also follow the storage instructions on the label.
Brands and shops to compare
These examples show the types of products you might come across. Compare the information on the specific pack; a brand name alone doesn’t tell you what’s in every product.
Brinta
Brinta porridge oats are an option if you’re looking for fine oats to use as the base for a warm bowl.
- Albert Heijn describes Brinta oats as extra fine and quick to prepare.
- The stated possibility of wheat and rye being present means you should check the current label.
Quaker
As well as plain porridge oats, there are Express options for anyone who wants to spend less time measuring.
- Albert Heijn lists Quaker Oats Express Naturel as coming in twelve single-portion packs, with a two-minute preparation time using a microwave or saucepan.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each option; the Quaker Express Naturel mentioned may contain soya, barley and wheat.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells plain porridge oats in different pack sizes, including fine wholegrain oats.
- The range includes 500 g and 1 kg packs of fine wholegrain porridge oats.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on the packaging of the product you choose.
ALDI / Golden Bridge
Golden Bridge fine wholegrain porridge oats are a supermarket option if you’re looking for plain oats.
- ALDI Netherlands lists a 500 g pack of fine wholegrain porridge oats.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack in store.
Lidl
Lidl lists oat flakes as a product available to buy in store.
- You can check the label on the shelf before choosing a pack.
- Check which option is available and the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions for that product.
Porridge oats on Joybuy
These products show a range of cupboard options: Express porridge oats for quick preparation and other types of porridge oats that let you choose your own portion size. Pay particular attention to the packaging, preparation method and ingredients of the option that appeals to you.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
An Express option to consider if you want to prepare a warm bowl quickly late in the evening. Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g is listed as taking two minutes to prepare in the microwave or a saucepan.
Before choosing this option, check the pack for portion format, preparation instructions and current allergen information.
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Brinta Porridge Oats 450 g
A pack of fine oats for anyone who wants to measure out their own portion and make a warm bowl. Albert Heijn describes these Brinta porridge oats as extra fine and quick to prepare.
Read the current allergen information: these porridge oats may contain wheat and rye.
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Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g
An Express option for anyone looking for porridge oats for a late-night snack. The product information lists soya protein and soya lecithin; check the full ingredients and allergen information if that matters to your choice.
Also check the preparation method and whether the pack contains individual portions if you’d rather not measure out your own.
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Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal 500 g
A 500 g pack to consider if you want to keep porridge oats in the cupboard for several occasions. Check the label to see which grains and allergens are listed for this option.
Before buying, also check the preparation method and portion information to see how much effort a late-night snack will take.
Frequently asked questions
How should I store porridge oats after opening?
Seal an opened pack tightly and store it in a dry place, following the instructions on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends putting products that need using first at the front of the cupboard.
Can porridge oats make a good late-night snack?
Yes, you can make a late-night snack with porridge oats; choose the option and preparation method that suit you at the time. Check the product’s ingredients and nutritional information, and bear in mind what you add to your bowl.
Are plain porridge oats gluten-free?
Not automatically: oat products can come into contact with cereals containing gluten. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products for people with coeliac disease need to carry the official Crossed Grain symbol on the pack; also check the product’s current allergen information.