For Easter lunch, start by checking the exact sugar claim and nutritional information: ‘no added sugars’ does not mean ‘sugar-free’. Single-serve sachets are handy for individual bowls, while fine loose oats let you decide how much to make for a group. If you’re also choosing based on protein, check whether the soya in the protein variety is suitable for your guests’ allergies and dietary needs.
If you want to avoid added sugars in your oats, check both the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition table. According to Jumbo’s product information, Quaker Oats Express Naturel contains no added sugars, but does contain naturally occurring sugars.
Single-serve sachets can save you weighing out portions for individual bowls. Albert Heijn states that Quaker Oats Express Naturel takes around two minutes to prepare. If you’d rather portion out a larger amount yourself, Brinta Oatmeal’s extra-fine oats are another option.
Quaker Oats Express Protein Naturel provides 22 g of protein per 100 g, according to the product information. Its ingredients include soya protein and soya lecithin, so check that this variety is suitable for all your guests.
First decide which sugar claim you’re looking for. Then choose between pre-measured portions and weighing out your own, and check the allergens for each variety.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar claim | Read the exact claim and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g of dry product. Consider your choice of milk, yoghurt and toppings separately. | I want to avoid added sugars in my oats, but also know how much naturally occurring sugar they contain. Around 50% of consumers prioritise checking this on the label. |
| Preparation and portions | Check the preparation time, amount of liquid needed and number of portions on the packaging. | Just before serving, I want to know whether I can quickly make individual bowls or whether it’s better to portion out oats for the group myself. This is the main consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Protein and allergens | Compare protein values on the same basis and read the ingredients and allergen information, particularly for a variety containing soya. | Extra protein matters to me, as long as the ingredients are suitable for what my guests can eat. This is the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Jumbo states that Quaker Oats Express Naturel contains no added sugars, but also contains 1 g of naturally occurring sugars per 100 g. The two claims don’t mean the same thing.
Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure, and remember to take into account any milk, yoghurt or toppings you add to the bowl.
The nutritional information for Brinta Oatmeal on the Albert Heijn product page we reviewed applies to a portion made with semi-skimmed milk. That’s not the same basis as a value per 100 g of dry product.
Compare dry products using the same weight basis. When comparing prepared bowls, use the same portion size and method of preparation.
According to the product information, Quaker Oats Express Protein Naturel contains soya protein and soya lecithin. Warnings about other allergens may also be relevant for plain oats.
Ask guests about allergies in advance, then check the label on the pack you’ve chosen just before serving.
Worth considering if you’re looking for pre-measured portions of quick oats. According to the product information, the Oats Express varieties we reviewed take around two minutes to prepare.
Brinta Oatmeal is an option if you’d like to use loose, extra-fine oats and decide how much to serve each guest.
Jumbo’s online oats range includes fine and coarse wholegrain oats, as well as products in individual portions.
These products suit two ways of preparing Easter lunch: quickly making individual bowls with Quaker Express, or portioning out oats from a larger pack of Quaker or Brinta yourself. Whichever you choose, check the sugar claim and the label on the specific pack.
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For individual bowls when you’re short on time before serving. Joybuy’s product information gives a preparation time of two minutes; the pack we reviewed contains 12 single-serve sachets.
The product information for this Naturel variety states that it contains no added sugars, but does contain naturally occurring sugars. If you have guests with allergies, check the warnings on the latest label.
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A pack you can portion out yourself when making oats for several guests. If timing is important just before serving, check the preparation instructions.
Check the latest sugar claim and allergen information on the pack for the preparation method you’ve chosen.
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For anyone who wants to weigh out loose oats for several bowls. The Brinta Oatmeal we reviewed is made from 100% oats; according to the product information, they’re extra fine.
Only compare sugar values once you’ve checked whether they apply to dry oats or a prepared portion. If you have guests with allergies, check the latest label.
No. Jumbo states that Quaker Oats Express Naturel contains naturally occurring sugars. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition table to see how much.
Choose sachets if you want to make individual bowls without weighing out portions; choose loose oats if you’d like to decide how much to serve each guest. Whichever you choose, check the preparation instructions before planning when to serve them.
As well as checking the protein content, pay particular attention to the ingredients and allergens. According to the product information, Quaker Oats Express Protein Naturel contains soya protein and soya lecithin, so it isn’t suitable for anyone with a soya allergy.
