If you’re looking for porridge for a Christmas dish that meets the nutritional claim for being sugar-free, don’t rely solely on the words ‘no added sugars’. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; the Quaker, Jumbo and Albert Heijn varieties discussed here list between 0.7 and 1.1 g per 100 g. If you mainly want to decide for yourself what goes into your dish, loose oats are another option. Sachets are handy when quick preparation matters more.
You want to know whether the sugar value on the label meets the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. ‘No added sugars’ doesn’t answer that: the plain oat products discussed here list more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
You’re looking for loose oats for porridge, baked oats or another dish, and want to choose your own flavourings and toppings. To do so, check the ingredients in both the oats and anything you add.
You want a measured portion that’s quick to prepare. According to the product listing, Quaker Oats Express Naturel takes around two minutes to prepare. Even with a portion product, the sugar value per 100 g is still relevant.
First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a strict requirement, or whether you mainly want an oat base whose additions you can choose yourself. Then compare loose oats and portion packs for preparation time and convenience.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly sugar-free | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g for the product itself. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim is a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If I’m looking for strictly sugar-free porridge, I don’t want to rely on ‘no added sugars’ on the front of the pack. For around 46% of consumers, this is the most important requirement. |
| Choosing your own ingredients | Check whether the ingredients list contains only oats, and assess separately what you add to your dish. | For my Christmas dish, I want to use oats as the base and choose the flavourings myself. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this flexibility. |
| Quick preparation | Check the preparation instructions and whether the portion size suits the dish you’re making. | When I’m short on time, I want to prepare a portion without having to measure out the oats first. Around 18% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
A product with no added sugars can still contain sugars. The plain oat products discussed here list between 0.7 and 1.1 g of sugars per 100 g, which is above the threshold for the EU ‘sugar-free’ claim.
If that claim is essential to your choice, check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g on the packaging.
The nutritional information Albert Heijn shows for Brinta Oatmeal applies to a serving made with semi-skimmed milk. So that sugar value doesn’t describe the dry oats alone.
Compare values on the same basis. For a prepared serving, check which liquid and quantity have been included.
The Quaker and Jumbo products discussed here list oats or gluten, and some varieties may contain traces of other cereals. A short ingredients list therefore doesn’t confirm that a product is gluten-free.
If gluten or other allergens matter to your choice, read the allergen information on the specific pack.
Quaker offers both a 600 g pack of loose oats and Oats Express Naturel in portion sachets. This makes the brand a relevant option whether you prefer to measure out your own oats or prepare a portion quickly.
Jumbo Havermout Fijne Vlokken Volkoren 500 g is a loose oat base for anyone who wants to choose their own quantities and additions.
According to the product listing, Brinta Oatmeal is made from extra-fine oats and can be prepared in the microwave in around two minutes.
Lidl lists Crownfield Organic Oatmeal in a 500 g pack, available in store only.
These products suit two ways of using oats in a Christmas dish: a quick-to-prepare portion or loose oats that you can add your own ingredients to. Check the sugar value for each variety separately; a plain oat base isn’t automatically sugar-free.
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A portion-sized option for when quick preparation matters: according to the product listing, Quaker Oats Express Naturel takes around two minutes to prepare.
The listed 1.0 g of sugars per 100 g is above the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. Check the packaging of your chosen variety for allergen information.
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Loose oats for a dish where you want to choose the amount of oats and any additions yourself.
For the 600 g Quaker pack, Albert Heijn lists 100% wholegrain oats and 1.1 g of sugars per 100 g. This variety doesn’t meet the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim; check the label for allergen information too.
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A 500 g pack of loose oats for anyone who wants to choose their own portions and additions for a Christmas dish.
If you have a strict sugar-free requirement, check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g on the specific pack; the organic label doesn’t tell you anything about this value. Check the allergen information too if it’s relevant to your choice.
No, the two terms don’t mean the same thing. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim may only be used for products containing no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. The Quaker, Albert Heijn and Jumbo varieties discussed here list between 0.7 and 1.1 g of sugars per 100 g.
Loose oats with only oats on the ingredients list give you that choice. The product listings for Quaker Oatmeal 600 g, AH Organic Oatmeal and Jumbo Fijne Vlokken describe oat bases of this kind. Assess any toppings separately if the sugar value of the finished dish matters to you.
Don’t assume they are. The Quaker and Jumbo products discussed here list oats or gluten, and some varieties may contain traces of other cereals. If you need a gluten-free option, check the claim and allergen information on the specific pack.
Store the oats in a cool, dry place and seal the pack securely after use. Quaker and Jumbo give this storage advice for the products discussed here; follow the instructions on the pack you buy.
