Students who want to make several portions themselves
With a bag of loose oats, you decide how much to use for each bowl. That’s handy if you want to use one pack for several meals, but you’ll need to measure out each portion yourself.
Which type of pack is right for you?
Students short on preparation time
Clear, simple instructions can be helpful after a long day of lectures. Quaker says Oats Express Naturel takes two minutes to prepare, while Brinta describes its extra-fine porridge oats as quick to make. Check which method suits your kitchen.
Students who don’t want to weigh their oats
Individual sachets make it easy to know how much porridge you’re using each time. The Quaker Oats Express Naturel pack described by Albert Heijn contains 12 sachets of 27 g; check whether that amount is right for the bowl you want to make.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to measure out your own portions or use a pre-measured sachet. Then compare the preparation instructions: fine oats and portion sachets don’t necessarily take the same amount of time to prepare.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Making several portions | Check the net weight and how much porridge you want to use for each bowl. | If I want to make different bowls from one bag of loose oats, I want to be able to adjust the amount each time. Around 50% of consumers would put being able to measure out their own portions first. |
| Quick preparation | Read the timings and instructions for the hob or microwave, and check which liquid you’ll need. | After a late lecture, I want to be able to make a warm bowl quickly with what I have to hand. For around 30% of consumers, preparation time would be their main concern. |
| A set portion | Check the number of sachets and the weight per sachet, not just the total pack weight. | If I don’t want to weigh my porridge oats, a pre-measured sachet helps me get started straight away. For around 20% of consumers, having a set amount would be the most important factor. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every portion sachet is plain
A portion pack doesn’t tell you what’s in it. Albert Heijn’s product information lists sugar as an ingredient in AH Havermout Porties Gezoet, with 10 g of added sugars per 100 g.
If you want to decide for yourself what to add to your porridge, check the ingredients list and nutrition information for the exact flavour or variant.
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Assuming oats are automatically gluten-free
According to Voedingscentrum, oat products may come into contact with cereals containing gluten. So the type of grain alone won’t tell you whether a pack is labelled gluten-free.
If you’re looking for a gluten-free product, check that the pack is explicitly labelled as such and read the allergen information for the product you’re actually buying.
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Confusing the pack weight with a serving size
According to Albert Heijn, the 324 g pack of Quaker Oats Express Naturel contains 12 sachets of 27 g. That’s a different amount from the 40 g of porridge oats used by Voedingscentrum for its nutrition information per bowl.
Check the amount in each sachet and decide which other ingredients you want to use in your warm bowl.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Quaker
Oats Express Naturel is an example of porridge oats in individual portion sachets.
- Albert Heijn describes the Naturel pack as containing 12 sachets of 27 g; Quaker says Oats Express takes two minutes to prepare.
- Check the specific flavour or variant: the features of Naturel don’t necessarily apply to other packs.
Brinta
The 450 g Brinta Havermout product reviewed comes as loose oats for anyone who wants to measure out their own portions.
- Jumbo describes these oats as extra fine and quick to prepare.
- Extra-fine oats still aren’t the same as pre-measured portion sachets.
Albert Heijn
AH Volkoren havermout grove vlokken is a 500 g pack of loose oats.
- Albert Heijn’s product information says these coarse oats can be prepared cold, in a pan or in the microwave.
- You decide how much porridge to use each time; these coarse oats don’t come in instant sachets.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers loose wholegrain porridge oats with fine or coarse flakes in 500 g packs.
- Choosing between fine and coarse flakes lets you pick the type of oats you want to prepare.
- Check the instructions for the variant you choose; the type of flake alone won’t tell you the exact preparation time.
Golden Bridge
ALDI’s own brand offers fine and coarse wholegrain porridge oats in 500 g packs.
- Both types of flakes let you decide how much to use for each bowl.
- A loose pack isn’t the same as a set of pre-measured portions; check the pack for preparation instructions.
Instant porridge on Joybuy
This pack is a good fit if you’re considering instant porridge for a warm bowl. Compare the portion and preparation information on the pack with your preference for measuring out your own oats or using a pre-measured amount.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
A pack to consider if you’re looking for instant porridge as the base for a warm bowl.
Pack weight: 324 g. For this variant, check the amount per portion, preparation instructions, ingredients and allergens on the label.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose loose porridge oats instead of portion sachets?
Choose loose oats if you want to decide how much to use for each bowl and use one pack for several meals. Portion sachets are more convenient if having a pre-measured amount matters more to you than that flexibility.
Can regular porridge oats be heated quickly too?
Yes, according to Albert Heijn’s product information, regular porridge oats can also be prepared in a pan or microwave. Check the instructions on your pack for the amount of liquid and the cooking and standing times.
Are porridge oats automatically gluten-free?
No, the name porridge oats isn’t enough to tell you that. Voedingscentrum highlights the risk of contact with cereals containing gluten; if you’re looking for a gluten-free product, check the explicit labelling and allergen information on the pack.
Does an instant sachet always contain the same amount of porridge oats?
No, the amount depends on the product. Albert Heijn lists Quaker Oats Express Naturel sachets as 27 g each; for other packs, check the weight per sachet rather than relying on the total pack weight.
What should I check on the label if I want a plain variant?
Check the ingredients list for the exact variant, and read the nutrition information too. Albert Heijn lists sugar as an ingredient in AH Havermout Porties Gezoet, so the word ‘portions’ doesn’t tell you whether the contents are plain.