Students with just a microwave or small pan
If your kitchen isn’t fully equipped yet, a pre-measured portion with clear preparation instructions can come in handy. Just check that you have the liquid and equipment you’ll need.
Who are these options for?
Students mainly comparing fibre content
The front of a pack won’t tell you how much fibre it contains per 100 g. The figures vary between the Quaker Express varieties, AH porridge oats and Brinta discussed here; the latter is a wheat-based breakfast cereal.
Students stocking up on breakfast
If you want to portion it out yourself and switch between hot and cold preparation, consider a larger pack of porridge oats and check the preparation methods on the label. Also check how to store the product once opened.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with what you can prepare in your student kitchen. Then compare fibre and protein separately per 100 g, and read the ingredients and allergen information for the product you want to buy.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quick preparation | Check the preparation time and whether you’ll need a microwave or pan, as well as liquid. | If my kitchen isn’t properly equipped yet, I want to be able to make breakfast quickly with the equipment I have. Around 40% of consumers put convenience first. |
| Comparing fibre | Check the number of grams of fibre per 100 g; compare oat and wheat products on the same basis. | If fibre matters more to me than speed or extra protein, I want to compare the figures on the labels. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Protein and stocking up | Check protein and fibre separately, and see which preparation methods and allergens are listed on the label. | I may want to compare extra protein or make different breakfasts from one pack, without assuming that it’s also the highest-fibre option. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a protein version automatically contains more fibre
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Quaker Express Protein contains 7.2 g of fibre per 100 g, compared with 9 g for Quaker Express Naturel. So, in this case, a greater emphasis on protein doesn’t mean more fibre.
Check the fibre and protein per 100 g on both packs before deciding which difference matters to you.
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Assuming oats are gluten-free when that’s what you need
The word ‘oats’ alone doesn’t tell you whether a particular product is gluten-free. According to the Voedingscentrum, oat products can come into contact with gluten during processing.
Check the latest allergen information and, if you’re looking for a gluten-free product, the certification mark on the pack.
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Choosing a large pack without comparing the labels
A pack of wholegrain porridge oats doesn’t, by itself, tell you how its fibre content compares with another product.
Before choosing, compare the nutritional information, ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions on the Crownfield and Golden Bridge packs.
Brands compared
Quaker
Worth considering if you want to compare instant portions with regular porridge oats.
- According to Albert Heijn, Quaker Express Naturel takes 2 minutes to prepare and contains 9 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The Naturel and Protein varieties have different nutritional values; check the allergen information for each variety too.
Brinta
A wholegrain cereal breakfast for anyone considering a wheat-based alternative too.
- Jumbo lists 10 g of fibre per 100 g for Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt.
- The ingredients include wheat and salt; Brinta isn’t porridge oats.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand range includes a protein porridge oats option for comparing hot and cold preparation.
- AH Volkoren havermout proteïne lists 9.1 g of fibre and 20 g of protein per 100 g; the product information also says it can be eaten cold and used to make overnight oats.
- The product contains soya. Read the full ingredients list if you’re comparing it with regular porridge oats.
Crownfield
Lidl’s own brand offers organic porridge oats in a 500 g pack.
- An option to consider if you’d rather portion oats out of a pack yourself.
- Check the fibre, allergens and preparation instructions on the pack before comparing these oats with instant varieties.
Golden Bridge
ALDI’s own brand offers fine or coarse wholegrain porridge oats in a 1 kg pack.
- You can choose between fine and coarse flakes with this product.
- If you’re looking for a quick breakfast option, check the nutritional values, allergens and preparation method on the pack.
Products at Joybuy
These products include two Quaker Express varieties for quick preparation and Brinta as a wholegrain wheat option for anyone looking for a pack they can portion out themselves.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal, 324 g
An option if you want to prepare porridge quickly using a microwave or pan.
According to the product information, it takes 2 minutes to prepare and this variety contains 9 g of fibre per 100 g. Check the allergen information on the pack.
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Quaker Oats Express Protein, 302 g
A quick oat option if you want to compare protein content as well as fibre.
The product information lists a preparation time of 2 minutes, 22 g of protein and 7.2 g of fibre per 100 g. This variety contains soya; check the latest ingredients list and allergen information on the pack.
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Brinta wholegrain cereal breakfast, 500 g
A handy option to keep in the cupboard if you want a hot cereal breakfast and aren’t specifically looking for porridge oats.
This variety is made from wholegrain wheat and lists 10 g of fibre per 100 g. Check the preparation instructions on the pack if the time or equipment required will affect your choice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare the fibre in porridge oats and Brinta?
Compare the amount of fibre per 100 g on both labels, rather than the figures per portion if the portions differ. Albert Heijn lists 7.2 g per 100 g for Quaker Express Protein and 9.1 g for AH Volkoren havermout proteïne; Jumbo lists 10 g for Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt. Brinta is a wheat product, not porridge oats.
Are oat products automatically gluten-free?
No, the word ‘oats’ isn’t enough to tell you. According to the Voedingscentrum, oat products can come into contact with gluten during processing. So, if gluten-free is a requirement for you, check the certification mark and allergen information on the specific pack.
Does protein porridge oats contain more fibre too?
Not necessarily: according to Albert Heijn’s product information, Quaker Express Protein lists 7.2 g of fibre and 22 g of protein per 100 g, while Quaker Express Naturel lists 9 g of fibre per 100 g. Choose based on the nutritional value you want to compare, not just the product name.
How should I store porridge oats after moving house?
Store the product according to the instructions on the pack and seal it well once opened. Also check the best-before date and any product-specific storage instructions.