Student with a regular lunch routine
If you make porridge several days a week, you can measure out portions from one larger pack. Just think about how you’ll keep the rest sealed and dry, and what you’ll need to bring to prepare it.
Which pack is right for you?
Student with a short lunch break
If measuring out a portion during your break is inconvenient, individual portions are worth considering. Check that you can access the equipment needed for your chosen oats, such as a microwave or saucepan.
Student with strict allergen requirements
Check the ingredients and allergen information for every variety you choose, even if the name on another pack is almost identical. For people with coeliac disease, the Voedingscentrum identifies the Crossed Grain trademark as a key way to distinguish suitable oats from ordinary oat products.
What should you look for in porridge oats for lunch?
First, establish whether an allergen requirement limits your choice. Then consider how many lunches you want to make from one pack and how you can prepare your oats during your break.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Several lunches from one pack | Check the pack size in grams and whether you can seal it properly after opening and store it somewhere dry. | If I eat porridge on set days, I want to be able to take a portion each time without carrying separate sachets. Around 42% of consumers say they prioritise being able to use a product repeatedly. |
| Preparing it during a short break | Check the equipment and liquid required by the product instructions, and allow for any standing time. | During a short break, I don’t want to spend long measuring or waiting, and the canteen may not have every type of equipment. Around 33% of consumers prioritise convenience when preparing food. |
| Allergens and gluten-free requirements | Read the label on your chosen variety. If you have coeliac disease, check that it is explicitly labelled gluten-free and bears the Crossed Grain trademark. | If I can only eat oats when strict dietary requirements are met, I also need to check warnings about possible traces. This allergen requirement is the most important consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Treating individual portions like a large pack
Individual portions save you measuring, while a larger bag may be better suited to making several lunches. The most convenient option depends on what you can store, carry and prepare during your break.
Decide in advance whether you need individual portions or can take oats from one pack yourself.
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Assuming ordinary oats are gluten-free
According to the Voedingscentrum, ordinary oats can be contaminated with gluten. So a product made with oats alone is not necessarily suitable for someone with coeliac disease.
Check the pack for an explicit gluten-free label and the Crossed Grain trademark, and read the latest allergen information.
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Assuming the same allergens apply to every variety
Express and protein varieties may contain different ingredients. For example, the product information for Quaker Express Proteïne lists soya protein and soya lecithin.
Check the ingredients and warnings for the exact variety you want, especially if you need to avoid soya or gluten.
Brands to compare
These brands offer different types of oats, including plain, organic, portioned and gluten-free varieties. Compare the specific pack rather than relying on the brand name alone.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers plain fine and coarse wholegrain porridge oats, as well as a separate gluten-free variety.
- According to Jumbo, its 1 kg pack of fine wholegrain porridge oats contains wholegrain oat flakes.
- For this plain variety, Jumbo lists possible traces of barley, rye and wheat. Don’t treat it as gluten-free porridge oats.
Albert Heijn
The AH own brand offers, among other products, plain coarse wholegrain flakes and organic fine porridge oats.
- According to Albert Heijn, the plain coarse variety lists wholegrain oat flakes as an ingredient.
- Check the allergen information on both packs. Plain and organic porridge oats are not automatically gluten-free.
ALDI / Golden Bridge
Golden Bridge offers 500 g of fine wholegrain porridge oats for anyone who wants to measure out portions from a pack.
- The product name identifies this variety as fine wholegrain porridge oats.
- If you follow a strict diet, check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose.
Lidl / Crownfield
Crownfield is a brand to consider if you’re looking for organic porridge oats.
- Lidl lists a 500 g pack of CROWNFIELD Organic porridge oats.
- According to Lidl, this variety is only available in store. Check the nutritional and allergen information on the pack there, too.
Quaker
Quaker offers both plain porridge oats and Express Naturel in individual portions.
- According to Quaker Nederland, the Oats Express Naturel pack contains 12 portions of wholegrain porridge oats.
- The information for Express Naturel lists possible traces of soya, barley and wheat. Always check the allergen information for the exact variety.
Brinta
Brinta porridge oats have extra-fine flakes for anyone who wants to make a warm portion themselves.
- The ingredients listed for Brinta porridge oats at Jumbo consist of oat flakes.
- The same product information lists possible traces of wheat and rye.
Porridge oats for a university lunch
These Quaker varieties include an Express pack and two packs of plain porridge oats. Choose the format that suits your lunch routine, and always check the pack for preparation instructions and allergen information.
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Quaker Express porridge oats 324 g
An Express variety to consider if you want to prepare porridge during a short lunch break.
Joybuy Nederland’s product information for the 324 g variety says it takes two minutes to prepare in a microwave or saucepan. Check which equipment you can use, and read the allergen information on the pack.
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Quaker porridge oats 600 g
A pack of plain porridge oats for anyone who wants to measure out their own portions for several lunches.
Joybuy Nederland lists 100% wholegrain oats as an ingredient for the 600 g variety, and possible traces of barley and wheat. Follow the preparation instructions on the pack, and don’t use this variety without checking the label further if you’re following a strict gluten-free diet.
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Quaker porridge oats 375 g
A smaller pack of plain porridge oats for anyone who wants to measure out their own portions.
The pack contains 375 g. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information for this variety before taking it with you for lunch.
Frequently asked questions
Can you have plain porridge oats for lunch?
Yes, you can make plain porridge oats for lunch if the instructions for your chosen product suit the equipment you have available. Think in advance about the liquid and kitchen equipment you’ll need.
What do you need to make porridge oats in the canteen?
It depends on the preparation instructions for your oats. Check that you have a suitable bowl, the required liquid and the necessary equipment. For the 324 g Quaker Express variety, Joybuy Nederland lists a microwave or saucepan; don’t assume the same instructions apply to other varieties.
Does 100% oats mean that porridge oats are gluten-free?
No. That ingredient information isn’t enough if you have coeliac disease. The Voedingscentrum warns that oats may be contaminated with gluten and recommends looking for the Crossed Grain trademark on oat products suitable for people with coeliac disease. Check the rest of the allergen information on the pack, too.
How should you store a larger pack after opening it?
Store the oats somewhere dry and seal the pack properly after use, following the storage advice for the Jumbo and Quaker products reviewed. Also check the instructions and best-before date on your own pack.