For a salt-conscious Boxing Day buffet, plain, unflavoured porridge oats are a useful starting point: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, an average 40 g portion of oats contains 0 g of salt. Choose loose flakes if you want to control the cooking and toppings yourself, or portion sachets if separate, quick-to-prepare servings are more important. Whichever you choose, check the label, allergen information and anything you add.
You’re looking for an unflavoured base and want to be able to check the ingredients used in cooking and as toppings. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 0 g of salt in an average 40 g portion of oats; you should also check the label of the product you choose.
You want to prepare a warm bowl for each guest without weighing out the flakes yourself. Portion sachets can help; check that the portion size, preparation method and allergen information are suitable for your guests.
You’ll need to check what guests can eat for each product. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, regular oats are not suitable for people with coeliac disease unless they carry the official Crossed Grain symbol. Read the allergen information for the other ingredients too.
First, decide how you want to serve the oats: from one pan with toppings on the side, or in individually prepared portions. Then compare the salt content and ingredients on a like-for-like basis.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Salt and added ingredients | Compare the salt per 100 g of dry product and read the ingredients list. Only compare prepared portions on the same preparation basis. | If I want to limit salt, I want to decide for myself what goes into the oats and on top of the bowls. Around 38% of consumers put this control first. |
| Preparing for the buffet | Check the type of flakes and the cooking instructions. Decide whether you’ll make one pan or serve guests individual bowls. | I want to be able to make a bowl of porridge that guests can finish with their own toppings. For around 37% of consumers, that freedom is their main priority. |
| Individual portions | Check the portion size, preparation method and the capacity of your pan or microwave. | When guests eat at different times, I want to be able to make a portion for each person without weighing out lots of ingredients. Convenience comes first for around 25% of consumers. |
That label doesn’t tell you how much salt is in the oats you’ve chosen or in the finished buffet dish. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 0 g of salt in an average 40 g portion of oats.
Read the salt content and ingredients list for the specific product, and consider what you add during preparation too.
The 0.25 g of salt shown for Albert Heijn’s prepared Brinta serving applies to 40 g of oats with 250 ml of semi-skimmed milk, not to the dry oats alone.
Before comparing products, check whether the nutritional information is given per 100 g of dry product, per dry portion or per prepared recipe.
Individual portions also need to be prepared individually. So the preparation time for one sachet doesn’t tell you how quickly you can serve all your guests.
Count the portions you’ll need and work out in advance how many bowls you can prepare in succession with the equipment available.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can come into contact with gluten during processing. Regular oats are not suitable for people with coeliac disease unless they carry the official Crossed Grain symbol.
Check the symbol and allergen information on every relevant product, and keep ingredients and serving spoons separate to reduce the risk of cross-contact.
Brinta porridge oats are an option if you want to prepare loose, extra-fine flakes.
Quaker offers both loose porridge oats and Oats Express Naturel portion sachets, which call for different approaches to serving.
Golden Bridge Fine wholegrain porridge oats are a loose-oats option from ALDI, sold in a 500 g pack.
Not necessarily if you’re looking for plain, unflavoured porridge oats: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists an average of 0 g of salt per 40 g portion. Check the value for the product you choose, and consider the ingredients you add during preparation and serving too.
Salt may be present in cooking ingredients and additions such as stock, cheese, sauces or savoury toppings, and you may add it yourself. So read the labels not only on the oats but also on the ingredients you serve with them.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, regular porridge oats are not automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease; the oats must carry the official Crossed Grain symbol. Also check the allergen information for the other buffet ingredients and prevent cross-contact when serving.
