Stocking-up shoppers
If you’re making porridge for several breakfasts, a brunch or a recipe, regular oats let you decide how much to use each time. A larger pack does mean measuring out portions and storing it properly once opened.
Which option is right for you?
How often you’ll have porridge, how much time you have to measure it out and the ingredients you’re looking for all help determine which type belongs on your shopping list.
Shoppers who prefer set portions
On a busy festive morning or when you have guests staying, individual portions can make preparation easier. Check how many sachets you’ll need and how to prepare the variety you’ve chosen.
Shoppers who compare labels carefully
Plain, cinnamon and protein varieties can differ in their ingredients and allergens. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises people with coeliac disease to look for the official Crossed Grain mark on the packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to measure out your own portions or prefer individual sachets. Then compare the exact varieties by their ingredients, nutritional information and preparation instructions.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and quantity | Check the net weight and decide how many portions you want to measure out from one pack. | If I’m buying for several breakfasts or recipes, I want to be able to adjust the amount each time. An estimated 36% of consumers put this flexibility at the top of their list. |
| Preparation and portions | Check the number of portions, the preparation instructions and what you need to add. | On a busy morning, I don’t want to measure out porridge oats each time; I want to make a set portion. For an estimated 29% of consumers, convenience matters most. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, allergen information and nutritional details for your chosen variety; compare sugars per 100 g and per portion. | When choosing between plain and a flavoured variety, I want to know exactly what’s in it and which allergens are listed. This is estimated to be the main priority for 21% of consumers. |
| Protein variety | Compare the protein per stated portion and check the source of protein and the allergens. | If I’m specifically looking for a protein variety, I want to assess its ingredients rather than judge it by the product name alone. An estimated 14% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all instant porridge oats are unsweetened
According to Quaker Netherlands, Oats Express Cinnamon contains sugar as an ingredient. The flavour name alone doesn’t tell you what’s in a variety.
Read the ingredients list and, for flavoured varieties, compare the stated sugars per 100 g and per portion too.
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Assuming regular oats are automatically gluten-free
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that oats can be contaminated with gluten. This makes choosing a specific oat product important for anyone with coeliac disease.
Check for the official Crossed Grain mark and read the up-to-date allergen information on the packaging.
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Assuming a protein variety is automatically a better choice
Quaker Netherlands lists soya protein as an ingredient in Oats Express Protein Naturel. Different protein sources and portion sizes make comparisons based on the product name alone of little use.
Before choosing between varieties, check the protein per actual portion, the ingredients and the allergens.
Brands to consider
These brands offer different types of porridge oats to compare. Always check the specific variety: the features of one product don’t necessarily apply to the rest of the range.
Quaker
Offers regular porridge oats as well as Oats Express varieties in plain, cinnamon and Protein Naturel.
- Albert Heijn describes Oats Express Naturel as taking two minutes to prepare in a microwave or saucepan.
- According to Quaker Netherlands, the cinnamon variety contains sugar and Protein Naturel contains soya protein. Compare the labels of the individual varieties.
Jumbo
Offers both fine wholegrain porridge oats and Havermout Porties Original.
- Regular oats let you measure out your own portion; according to Jumbo, Porties Original contains five individual portions.
- Jumbo lists sugar as an ingredient in Porties Original. Check the packaging if you’re looking for an unsweetened base.
Albert Heijn
The fine wholegrain porridge oats are an option if you want to measure out your own portions.
- Albert Heijn lists wholegrain oat flakes as an ingredient in this product.
- These aren’t individual instant sachets. Check the packaging of your chosen oats for preparation instructions and allergen information.
Golden Bridge (ALDI)
Golden Bridge fine wholegrain porridge oats are a basic option that you can measure out yourself.
- ALDI lists a 500 g pack for its fine wholegrain porridge oats.
- Check the preparation instructions, ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the variety you buy.
Healthy Fit (Lidl)
Lidl lists a Healthy Fit Protein porridge oats variety for anyone looking to compare protein options.
- The product name makes clear that it’s a protein porridge oats variety.
- Use the packaging to assess the protein per portion, ingredients and allergens.
Porridge oat products at Joybuy
These Quaker products suit two quick-breakfast options: an Express Protein variety and an Express porridge oats product. Check the packaging before deciding which ingredients and portion size work for your shopping needs.
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Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g
A handy option if you’re comparing Express protein varieties for breakfast. This pack contains 302 g; check the label for the portion size, nutritional information and allergens.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
A good choice if you’re looking for an Express porridge oats product for a busy breakfast morning. This pack contains 324 g; check the label for preparation instructions and details of the ingredients, allergens and portions.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose regular porridge oats instead of instant portions?
Regular porridge oats are a good choice if you’re shopping for several breakfasts or recipes and want to decide how much to use each time. Choose individual portions if measuring oats on busy mornings is a particular concern; remember to compare the number of portions and the preparation instructions too.
How can I tell if instant porridge oats have no added sugar?
Read the ingredients list for the specific variety rather than relying on the product name. For example, Quaker Netherlands lists sugar in Oats Express Cinnamon; check the label of a plain product separately.
Are regular porridge oats suitable for people with coeliac disease?
Not automatically. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can be contaminated with gluten, so it’s important to look for the official Crossed Grain mark on the packaging if you have coeliac disease. Also check the current allergen information for the specific product.
What should I check on the packaging of a protein variety?
Check the protein per stated portion, portion size, ingredients and allergens. Quaker Netherlands lists soya protein in Oats Express Protein Naturel; don’t assume another variety has the same ingredients without checking.
How should I store porridge oats once opened?
Follow the storage instructions on your chosen pack. For its fine wholegrain porridge oats, Albert Heijn advises storing them in a cool, dark, dry place and sealing the pack well after opening.