People who like to add their own flavour
You’re looking for plain oats as a base and want to decide for yourself what to add to your breakfast, rather than choosing a ready-flavoured option.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People who want to avoid added sugars
You want to be able to check the ingredients and nutritional information. Even with a product that has no added sugars, check the total sugar content, including anything added when you prepare it.
People with a practical requirement
A pre-measured portion can be useful when you’re short on time. If gluten-free suitability is essential, the information on the packaging needs to be checked separately.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g. Then choose a pack format that suits the way you want to prepare your porridge.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugars | Read the ingredients and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g; check any additions to your porridge separately. | If I decide what goes into my porridge, I want a simple base and clarity about the total sugars. This is the top priority for around 39% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Check the weight and distinguish between loose oats and individual portions. | I eat porridge regularly and want to know how much breakfast staple is in a pack. For around 38% of consumers, pack size matters most. |
| Ease of preparation | Check whether the oats are divided into portions and follow the preparation instructions for that variety. | On busy mornings, I don’t want to measure things out myself. For around 15% of consumers, convenience is the deciding factor. |
| Gluten-free labelling | Check the exact pack for a gluten-free claim; according to the Voedingscentrum, standard oats are not automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease. | If gluten-free suitability is essential for me, clear wording on the pack comes before ease of preparation. Around 8% of consumers put this check first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’
A product with no added sugars can still contain sugars. Milk, yoghurt or fruit also changes the nutritional information for the prepared porridge. The Voedingscentrum gives an average of 10.2 g of sugar per 250 g bowl of unsweetened porridge made with whole milk.
Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on the porridge label, and assess the other ingredients in your bowl separately.
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Mistaking biscuits, granola or bars for plain porridge oats
These are different types of products, often with more ingredients than plain oats. Their nutritional information tells you nothing about a pack of plain porridge oats.
Compare ingredients and nutritional information within the product type you actually want to use.
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Assuming standard oats are always gluten-free
According to the Voedingscentrum, standard oat products can be contaminated with gluten. The product information for the Brinta Porridge Oats reviewed here mentions possible traces of wheat and rye.
If gluten-free suitability is essential, check the exact pack for the relevant claim. For oats and coeliac disease, the Voedingscentrum refers to the official Crossed Grain symbol.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
Own-label plain fine wholegrain oats, with a separate gluten-free variety.
- The plain fine oats reviewed list 0 g of added sugars per 100 g.
- If you need gluten-free porridge oats, check the separate variety and the labelling on the pack.
Jumbo
Own-label range that includes plain wholegrain oats and a larger value pack.
- The category reviewed includes fine wholegrain oats in 500 g and 1 kg packs.
- Check the product type: plain oats, portion packs and flavoured varieties are not the same oat base.
Golden Bridge (ALDI)
ALDI own-label fine and jumbo wholegrain oats.
- The fine wholegrain oats reviewed come in a 500 g pack.
- Check the specific pack for nutritional information and allergen details.
Quaker
A brand offering plain porridge oats and separate Express portions.
- The plain porridge oats reviewed state ‘100% wholegrain oats’ and ‘no added sugars’.
- The plain porridge oats and Express Naturel come in different formats; check the ingredients and nutritional information for the variety you choose.
Brinta
A brand offering, among other products, extra-fine oats.
- The Brinta Porridge Oats reviewed list 100% oats as the ingredient.
- According to the product information, this variety may contain traces of wheat and rye; don’t assume it is confirmed gluten-free.
Porridge oat products on Joybuy
Here you’ll find an Express pack and plain branded porridge oats in a range of pack sizes. For a simple base for porridge, check the ingredients, nutritional information and pack instructions for each product.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal, 324 g
An option if you prefer to prepare your porridge in individual portions. Check the ingredients and preparation instructions for this Express variety; the product information mentions possible traces of wheat and barley.
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Brinta Oatmeal, 450 g
A pack of plain porridge oats for anyone who wants to choose what to add to their bowl. Check the ingredients for this variety and the allergen information; the product information mentions possible traces of rye and wheat.
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Quaker Oatmeal, 600 g
A larger pack of plain porridge oats if you like to add your own flavour. Compare the ingredients and ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g for this variety; the product information mentions possible traces of wheat and barley.
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Quaker Oatmeal, 375 g
A smaller pack of plain porridge oats for anyone who likes to choose what goes into their bowl. Check the ingredients and nutritional information for this pack; the product information mentions possible traces of wheat and barley.
Frequently asked questions
Are porridge oats with no added sugars also sugar-free?
No. ‘No added sugars’ does not mean there are no sugars present. As well as checking the ingredients, look at ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on the pack of the porridge oats you choose.
Why does unsweetened porridge still contain sugars?
The ingredients you use to prepare your porridge count too. The Voedingscentrum gives an average of 10.2 g of sugar for a 250 g bowl of unsweetened porridge made with whole milk. This figure describes the prepared porridge, not just the dry oats.
Are plain porridge oats gluten-free?
Not automatically. According to the Voedingscentrum, oat products can be contaminated with gluten, and the official Crossed Grain symbol on the pack is important for people with coeliac disease. So check the labelling on the specific product.
Does ‘reduced sugar’ mean the same as ‘no added sugars’?
No. ‘Reduced sugar’ compares a product with a similar one, while ‘no added sugars’ refers to added ingredients. Check what the product is being compared with, and read the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g to make your choice.