Fibre-conscious shoppers
You’re looking for a quick breakfast before you start preparing your Sunday roast, and want to be able to check the fibre content of your chosen porridge on the label.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Breakfast eaters short on time
You don’t want to weigh out a portion first, so you’re considering individual sachets and the preparation time shown on the packaging.
Shoppers who want to choose their own ingredients
You’d rather add your own ingredients to plain porridge. If allergens or possible traces matter to you, check the information on the latest packaging too.
What should you look for when choosing?
For your Sunday breakfast, first choose a porridge variant whose fibre content you can check. Then compare how much preparation each portion needs, and check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre content | Check the fibre per 100 g for the exact variant. According to EUR-Lex, the EU claim ‘high in fibre’ requires at least 6 g of fibre per 100 g. | I want to have porridge for breakfast before cooking and be able to check its fibre content, rather than relying on the word ‘wholegrain’. Around 42% of shoppers put this fibre check first. |
| Preparation and portions | Compare the preparation time and check whether you need to measure out a portion or can use an individual sachet. | If I’m preparing the Sunday roast afterwards, I want to make breakfast without weighing anything. For around 33% of shoppers, speed and pre-measured portions matter most. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the latest packaging, even if you recognise the product name. | I want to choose what I add to my porridge and may need to take allergens or traces into account. Checking the ingredients is the top priority for around 25% of shoppers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘wholegrain’ means ‘high in fibre’
A wholegrain oat claim doesn’t tell you how much fibre the exact variant contains. For the EU claim ‘high in fibre’, EUR-Lex sets a threshold of at least 6 g of fibre per 100 g.
Check the fibre content per 100 g on the packaging before choosing a variant on the basis of this claim.
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Assuming individual sachets are quicker to prepare
The main difference may simply be the measuring: Albert Heijn lists a preparation time of around two minutes for both Quaker Porridge and Quaker Oats Express Natural.
Choose individual portions if skipping the measuring is important to you, and compare the preparation instructions for the variants you’re considering.
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Assuming all porridge is suitable for a strict gluten-free diet
Product information from retailers including Albert Heijn and Jumbo warns that certain porridge variants may contain traces of other grains. So the product category alone isn’t enough to determine whether a product is suitable.
Check the latest allergen information for the exact variant every time you buy it.
Brands to consider
Quaker
Offers both loose porridge oats and Oats Express sachets, whether you prefer to measure your own portion or use a pre-measured one.
- Jumbo lists 9 g of fibre per 100 g for Quaker Porridge 600 g; Albert Heijn also lists 9 g per 100 g for Oats Express Natural.
- Check the ingredients and warnings about allergens or traces for each variant; they can differ between packs.
Brinta
Brinta Porridge is an option if you’re looking for extra-fine oats and want to make up your own portion.
- Albert Heijn lists 100% oat flakes as the ingredients in Brinta Porridge.
- The product information warns of possible traces of wheat and rye. Check the latest label if this warning is relevant to you.
Jumbo
The own-label range includes loose fine wholegrain oats and individual porridge portions.
- Jumbo lists wholegrain oat flakes as the main ingredient in Porridge Portions Original.
- According to Jumbo, this portion variant also contains sugar. Compare the ingredients of the exact variant if you want to choose what you add yourself.
Golden Bridge
Golden Bridge offers fine wholegrain porridge oats for shoppers looking for loose oats.
- ALDI Netherlands lists a 500 g pack of fine wholegrain porridge oats.
- Check any high-fibre claim and whether the product is suitable for your dietary needs using the nutritional information and allergen details on the pack you buy.
Porridge on Joybuy
This selection focuses on individual porridge portions for anyone who wants to make a quick breakfast without measuring before preparing the Sunday roast.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
An option if you want to use a pre-measured portion before cooking, without measuring out the oats yourself.
Joybuy lists 9 g of dietary fibre per 100 g for Quaker Express Porridge, with a preparation time of two minutes. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the latest packaging.
Frequently asked questions
When can porridge be labelled ‘high in fibre’?
According to EUR-Lex, the EU claim ‘high in fibre’ requires at least 6 g of fibre per 100 g, among other criteria. Check the nutritional information for the exact variant; the word ‘wholegrain’ on its own doesn’t tell you the fibre content.
Are individual sachets quicker to prepare than regular porridge?
Not necessarily: Albert Heijn lists a preparation time of around two minutes for both Quaker Porridge and Quaker Oats Express Natural. With Express, the main difference is that the portions are pre-measured. Follow the instructions on the packaging for both products.
Is porridge automatically suitable for a strict gluten-free diet?
No. Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo warns that certain variants may contain traces of grains including wheat, barley or rye. So check the allergen information on the exact pack, not just the product category.