Breakfast shoppers who check labels
You want to know whether the pack says ‘sugar-free’ or just ‘no added sugars’. So read the exact wording and check the ‘of which sugars’ row in the nutrition table.
Who is each option right for?
Weekend cooks who like to mix things up
You’re looking for loose wholegrain porridge oats that you can portion yourself and combine with toppings of your choice, for example in porridge or overnight oats.
Breakfast eaters looking for a quick portion
You find a pre-measured portion handy and want to keep preparation time to a minimum. For varieties with extra ingredients, check that the ingredients and allergens suit your needs too.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking the exact sugar claim, then choose between loose oats, a quick portion or a mix with extra ingredients. That way, you can compare products based on the features that matter for your weekend breakfast.
| What to look for | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar claim | Read the exact wording and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. | If I’m looking for ‘sugar-free’, I don’t want to choose a product by mistake that only says ‘no added sugars’. For around 40% of consumers, this check matters most. |
| Simple wholegrain base | Check the ingredients list and choose fine or coarse oats to get the texture you want. | I want to put my own breakfast together, so I’d rather start with loose wholegrain porridge oats than a ready-made mix. That freedom comes first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Quick, pre-measured portion | Check the preparation instructions, portion size and any added ingredients or allergens. | When I’m short on time, I don’t want to measure out porridge oats first; a variety with extra protein also means checking the ingredients. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’
These are different claims. According to the nutrition table, the Quaker Havermout listed by Jumbo contains 1.1 g of sugars per 100 g, while Quaker Netherlands says no sugars have been added to these oats.
Read the exact wording on the pack and check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. Check milk, yoghurt and toppings separately if you want to assess the whole breakfast.
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Assuming all porridge oats are gluten-free
The Quaker Original and Jumbo Grove Vlokken listings we checked mention the possible presence of other cereals containing gluten. So the word ‘oats’ alone doesn’t tell you enough about the allergen information for a specific product.
If you need to avoid gluten strictly, choose a product labelled accordingly and check the current allergen information on the pack.
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Treating a protein variety or crunchy mix as the same as plain porridge oats
As listed by Jumbo, Quaker Oats Express Proteïne Naturel contains soya protein and soya lecithin as well as oats. Quaker Cruesli Zero Sugar Added Naturel is a crunchy mix containing ingredients such as wheat flakes, sunflower oil and chicory root fibre.
Check the ingredients list if you’re looking for loose oats or need to avoid specific allergens. A crunchy mix isn’t a like-for-like substitute for plain porridge oats with the same ingredients.
Brands as a starting point for comparison
Quaker
Quaker offers plain porridge oats, Oats Express portions and a crunchy mix with no added sugars, among other options. Compare each variety individually rather than assuming one claim applies to the whole range.
- Quaker Netherlands describes Havermout Original as 100% wholegrain oats; Jumbo lists 1.1 g of sugars per 100 g for this product.
- According to Jumbo, Oats Express Proteïne Naturel contains soya protein and soya lecithin. Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety.
Jumbo
The own-brand range includes coarse wholegrain porridge oats. The type of oats and ingredients in the product you choose are more useful points of comparison than the brand name alone.
- Jumbo lists wholegrain oats as an ingredient in Havermout Grove Vlokken Volkoren.
- Check the current pack for these oats if the possible presence of other cereals matters to you.
Crownfield (Lidl)
Lidl Netherlands describes Crownfield Biologisch havermout as a 500 g pack.
- The product description identifies it as organic porridge oats.
- Check the ingredients, nutrition information and allergens on the pack before deciding whether this variety is right for your breakfast.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?
No, the claims don’t mean the same thing. Quaker Netherlands says its Havermout Original contains no added sugars, while the nutrition information listed by Jumbo shows 1.1 g of sugars per 100 g. For a specific purchase, check both the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ information on the pack.
How can I quickly make plain porridge oats for a weekend breakfast?
A portion pack means you can skip measuring: Jumbo says Quaker Oats Express Naturel takes 2 minutes to prepare in an 800 W microwave. Follow the quantities and other instructions on the pack for the variety you choose.
Are plain porridge oats suitable if I need to avoid gluten strictly?
Don’t assume they are. The Quaker Original listing mentions the possible presence of barley and wheat; the Jumbo Grove Vlokken listing also mentions the possible presence of other cereals. If gluten-free labelling is essential, choose a product labelled accordingly and check the current information on the pack.