People short on time in the evening
If you want to make a warm bowl of porridge in just a few minutes, a pre-measured sachet saves you weighing out a portion. If you prefer to prepare your own, check the microwave or hob instructions.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers avoiding added sugar
You’re looking for porridge with no sugar in the ingredients list, but also want to know how much sugar the nutrition information lists per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘no added sugars’ does not mean that a product contains no sugar at all.
People comparing ingredients for an evening meal
You use porridge as the base for a light evening meal, so you check the ingredients, protein content and allergens. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the nutritional composition of the finished meal also depends on how it is prepared and what you add.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you mean literally sugar-free or simply want to avoid added sugar. Then choose between pre-measured sachets, oats you portion yourself and a variety with added protein.
Pre-measured plain sachets
Choose this if: you want a set portion that, according to the product information for Quaker Oats Express Naturel, is ready in 2 minutes.
Bear in mind: each sachet contains a fixed amount, and the label also lists 1 g of sugars per 100 g.
Oats you portion yourself
Choose this if: you want to decide for yourself how much Brinta Havermout to have with your evening meal.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to measure it out yourself; this isn’t a pack of individual instant portions.
Porridge with added protein
Choose this if: you specifically want to take the stated protein content of Quaker Oats Express Protein into account.
Bear in mind: the ingredients include soy protein and soy lecithin; this variety also lists sugars.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar on the label | Read the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g; ‘no added sugars’ does not mean sugar-free. | If I want to avoid added sugar, I want to know whether the ingredients meet that requirement without overlooking the sugars already present. Around 39% of consumers prioritise this labelling question. |
| Preparation and portion size | Compare the preparation instructions and check whether the pack contains pre-measured sachets or whether you need to portion it yourself. | On a busy evening, I want to make a warm portion with minimal fuss, but the fixed amount still needs to suit my meal. For around 38% of consumers, this convenience comes first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the protein content per 100 g, the source of the protein and the allergen information; also consider what you add to the porridge. | When porridge is my evening meal, I want to choose ingredients that suit what I eat and any allergens I need to avoid. For around 23% of consumers, the ingredients matter most. |
Common mistakes
-
Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’
Albert Heijn says that Quaker Oats Express Naturel contains no added sugars, but does contain 1 g of sugars per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that sugars can be present even when they have not been added.
Decide which of these two requirements you mean, then check both the ingredients and the nutrition information per 100 g.
-
Assuming ‘Original’ means unsweetened
Jumbo lists sugar as an ingredient in Jumbo Havermout Porties Original and describes it as sweetened porridge. The name alone doesn’t tell you whether a portion suits your sugar preferences.
If you want to avoid added sugar, check the ingredients list before choosing a portioned variety.
-
Overlooking allergens in a protein variety
According to the product information from Albert Heijn, Quaker Oats Express Protein contains soy protein and soy lecithin; barley and wheat may also be present.
Check the allergen information on the pack if soy or the grains mentioned are relevant to you.
-
Assuming plain oats are suitable without checking the label
The type of oats alone won’t tell you how much sugar the product contains or what all the ingredients are.
When buying a plain product in store, read the ingredients and check the sugar content on the pack before choosing it to avoid added sugar.
Brands and retailers to consider
Quaker
According to the product information from Albert Heijn, the Oats Express varieties reviewed can be prepared in 2 minutes.
- Oats Express Naturel lists wholegrain oats as an ingredient and contains no added sugars.
- Naturel contains 1 g of sugars per 100 g; the Protein variety reviewed contains soy protein and soy lecithin.
Brinta
Brinta Havermout is an option if you want to measure out your own portion of fine oats.
- For the product reviewed, Albert Heijn lists 100% oats and microwave preparation for 2 minutes at 900 watts.
- It doesn’t come in pre-measured sachets; according to the product information, it may contain wheat and rye.
Albert Heijn
This retailer’s product information helps you compare the Brinta Havermout and Quaker Oats Express Naturel products reviewed.
- Ingredients, nutrition information and preparation instructions are provided for these products.
- Product information can change, so check the label on the pack before making your final choice.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers both plain oats and portioned porridge, but their ingredients differ.
- The ingredients list for the Havermout Porties Original product reviewed is available, so you can check whether it suits your sugar preferences.
- This portioned variety contains sugar as an ingredient, so it isn’t suitable if you want to avoid added sugar.
Lidl
Lidl lists 500 g of coarse oats as a product in its range.
- The product type and pack size are listed.
- Check the ingredients and nutrition information on the pack before choosing these oats to avoid added sugar.
Aldi
Aldi lists 500 g of Golden Bridge Fijne Volkoren Havermout as a plain product.
- The product type and pack size are listed.
- Read the ingredients and check the sugar content on the pack before deciding whether the product meets your requirements.
Porridge products at Joybuy
These products offer a choice for a quick porridge meal: a pack of Quaker Express Oatmeal, a Quaker variety with added protein and Brinta oats that you portion yourself. For each product, check the ingredients and preparation instructions if avoiding added sugar or keeping preparation time short is a priority for you.
Image unavailable
Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
For anyone who wants to make porridge quickly as a base for dinner. 324 g pack; check the preparation instructions, ingredients and sugar content for this variety.
Image unavailable
Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g
For anyone who also wants to consider the source of protein in a quick porridge meal. Joybuy lists a 2-minute preparation time and no added sugars for this product. Check the sugar content and allergen information on the pack.
Image unavailable
Brinta Havermout 450 g
For anyone who wants to decide how much porridge to have for dinner. Joybuy lists 100% oats as the ingredients in this pack. It doesn’t contain individually pre-measured sachets, so check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as sugar-free?
No. A product with no added sugars can still contain sugars, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains. For example, Albert Heijn lists 1 g of sugars per 100 g for Quaker Oats Express Naturel. If this distinction matters to your choice, read both the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ line.
Can porridge be the basis for a quick evening meal?
Yes, you can use porridge in a dinner dish too. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the nutritional composition of your meal depends on how it is prepared and what you add. So don’t choose your portion size based only on how quickly a sachet can be prepared.
What should I pay particular attention to in a protein variety?
As well as checking the protein content, find out where the protein comes from and which allergens are listed. According to the product information from Albert Heijn, the Quaker Oats Express Protein variety reviewed contains soy protein and soy lecithin, and may contain barley and wheat.