Label-readers looking to avoid added sugar
You want to make porridge quickly for Easter breakfast and are looking for a product labelled ‘no added sugar’. You also check the ingredients and the sugars listed in the nutritional information.
Who is this for?
Brunch hosts who want to choose their own toppings
You’re looking for a neutral oat base for several bowls and want to decide for yourself whether to add fruit, yoghurt or unsalted nuts, for example.
Breakfast eaters looking for added protein
You’re comparing a protein option with regular porridge and checking whether soya is suitable for you as an ingredient.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the no-added-sugar claim and the ingredients. Then choose between pre-portioned sachets and oats you measure out yourself. Compare a soya-protein option separately if added protein matters to you.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugar | Read the exact claim, the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g of the dry product. | I want to choose a plain base without confusing ‘no added sugar’ with ‘sugar-free’. This check is a priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Preparation and portions | Compare the preparation instructions and number of portions; decide whether you want to use sachets or measure out the oats yourself. | If I’m making several bowls for Easter breakfast, I want to know how much preparation each pack requires. This convenience is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Soya protein and allergens | Compare the protein content per 100 g on the same basis, and read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact option. | I’m looking for added protein, but first want to check whether soya and the listed allergens are suitable for me. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’
A product can contain sugars even if no sugar has been added. For example, Albert Heijn lists 1 g of sugars per 100 g for Quaker Oats Express Naturel.
Check the exact claim and also compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.
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Only looking at the front of the pack
The Naturel option reviewed may contain soya, barley and wheat. The Protein option contains soya protein and soya lecithin, so products with similar names don’t necessarily have the same ingredients.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information for each option, especially if you need to avoid certain ingredients.
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Choosing portion sachets without working out how many bowls you need
A sachet saves you measuring out the oats for an individual bowl. For several guests, a larger pack may be more practical, provided you’re happy to measure out the portions yourself.
Decide in advance how many bowls you’re making and which preparation method suits you.
Brands to consider
Quaker
Oats Express options are designed for a quick, individually portioned bowl of porridge.
- For Oats Express Naturel and Protein Naturel, Albert Heijn lists a 2-minute preparation time and the claim ‘no added sugar’.
- Naturel may contain soya, barley and wheat. Protein Naturel contains soya protein and soya lecithin, so check the ingredients of the option you choose.
Brinta
Brinta Oatmeal is an option if you want to measure out fine oats yourself for Easter breakfast.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, this porridge is made from 100% oats and can be prepared in the microwave.
- An ingredients list containing only oats is not the same as an explicit ‘no added sugar’ claim. The product may contain wheat and rye.
Porridge products on Joybuy
These products offer three ways to choose porridge for Easter breakfast: an instant option with soya protein, pre-portioned oats and fine oats you measure out yourself. Whatever you choose, check the current pack if the sugar claim or allergen information is important to your decision.
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Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g
For anyone who wants to make porridge quickly and is specifically looking for an option with added protein.
The product information for Oats Express Protein Naturel lists a 2-minute preparation time and 22 g of protein per 100 g. The option contains soya protein and soya lecithin; check the allergen information if you avoid soya.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
For anyone who wants to make individual bowls and choose what to add to the oats.
The pack contains 12 portion sachets. Check the added-sugar claim and allergen information on the current pack; the product information for Quaker Oats Express Naturel lists 1 g of sugars per 100 g and possible traces of soya, barley and wheat.
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Brinta Oatmeal 450 g
For an Easter breakfast where you want to decide how much oats to use in each bowl.
The ingredients information for Brinta Oatmeal lists 100% oats. Check the pack for preparation instructions, any added-sugar claim and allergen information; wheat and rye may be present.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugar’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?
No. A product with no added sugar can still contain sugars. For Quaker Oats Express Naturel, Albert Heijn lists both ‘no added sugar’ and 1 g of sugars per 100 g. So check the claim as well as the nutritional information.
How can I make porridge quickly for Easter breakfast?
Follow the preparation instructions on the pack you choose. For the Quaker Oats Express options reviewed, Albert Heijn lists a preparation time of 2 minutes. Then decide what to add, such as fruit or unsalted nuts, and bear in mind that toppings will change the nutritional value of your bowl.
Is all porridge suitable if I need to avoid gluten?
No, don’t rely on the name ‘porridge’ alone. Check whether the exact pack is labelled gluten-free and read the allergen information; the Quaker Naturel option discussed may contain barley and wheat, while Brinta Oatmeal may contain wheat and rye.
Why should I read the label again just before using the product?
The label on the exact pack matters if the ingredients, added-sugar claim or allergens affect your choice. Check this information even for products with almost identical names, such as the Naturel and Protein options in the Quaker Oats Express range.