Consumers with a strict sugar limit
You’re looking for porridge oats that genuinely meet the threshold for a ‘sugar-free’ claim. That’s why you compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, rather than relying solely on ‘no added sugars’.
Who is this distinction important for?
Busy breakfast planners
You want a quick breakfast before preparing the Sunday roast. A pre-portioned serving or a short cooking time may matter more than weighing out the flakes yourself.
Stock-up shoppers
You use porridge oats for several breakfasts and don’t mind measuring out loose flakes and choosing your own toppings.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a strict requirement. Then compare the convenience of portion sachets with measuring out fine flakes yourself.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar limit | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g with the limit of 0.5 g per 100 g for a ‘sugar-free’ claim. Treat ‘no added sugars’ as a separate claim. | If ‘sugar-free’ is a strict requirement for me, I want to be able to check the value for the porridge oats themselves; this is the top priority for around 45% of consumers. |
| Ease of preparation | Check the preparation time and whether you’re buying a pre-portioned serving or loose flakes. | When Sunday is already packed with cooking, I want to make breakfast without weighing out the flakes first; around 33% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Portioning it yourself | Check the pack size and ingredients list if you want a simple oat base for several breakfasts. | For several breakfasts, I want to choose the portions and toppings myself; this is the main requirement for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing ‘no added sugars’ with ‘sugar-free’
According to the European Commission, nutrition claims are set out in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. A ‘sugar-free’ claim allows a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Quaker Oats Express Naturel lists 1 g per 100 g, according to Quaker Netherlands, despite being labelled ‘no added sugars’.
If ‘sugar-free’ is a condition of your purchase, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g in the latest nutritional information.
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Comparing prepared porridge with dry porridge oats
Nutritional values for a bowl made with milk don’t describe the porridge oats alone. This distinction matters when preparing Brinta Havermout with milk.
For the sugar limit, use the nutritional value per 100 g of the porridge oats as sold.
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Overlooking allergens when the ingredients list is short
A product containing oats may also have a separate allergen declaration. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that common allergens must be clearly stated on the label.
If allergens matter to your choice, read both the latest ingredients list and the allergen declaration on the pack.
Brands with relevant porridge oat products
Quaker
Quaker Oats Express Naturel is a porridge oat option available in individual portion packs.
- Albert Heijn lists 12 portions and a preparation time of around two minutes.
- According to Quaker Netherlands, this variety contains 1 g of sugars per 100 g: it’s labelled as having no added sugars, but it isn’t strictly sugar-free.
Jumbo
Jumbo fine wholegrain porridge oats are a loose-flake option for anyone who prefers to measure out their own portions.
- Jumbo lists wholegrain oat flakes as the ingredient in its 1 kg pack.
- The stated 0.7 g of sugars per 100 g is above the limit for a ‘sugar-free’ claim.
Brinta
According to the product information from Albert Heijn, Brinta Havermout consists of extra-fine oat flakes.
- Albert Heijn describes a two-minute preparation in the microwave with milk.
- Don’t use the sugar value for a prepared serving with milk as the value per 100 g for dry porridge oats.
Crownfield
Lidl lists Crownfield organic porridge oats as an oat product.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and sugars per 100 g on the pack before assessing this product against a sugar limit.
Golden Bridge
ALDI lists Golden Bridge fine wholegrain porridge oats in a 500 g pack.
- The pack contains loose, fine flakes that you can portion yourself.
- Check the nutritional information and allergen details on the pack if these will affect your choice.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?
No. Porridge oats can contain naturally occurring sugars even when no sugars have been added. For the European ‘sugar-free’ claim, the limit set out in the annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 is 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
Is Quaker Oats Express Naturel sugar-free?
No. Quaker Netherlands lists 1 g of sugars per 100 g for Oats Express Naturel. The ‘no added sugars’ label doesn’t change that figure.
Which porridge oats are quick to make before Sunday cooking?
According to Albert Heijn, Quaker Oats Express Naturel takes around two minutes to prepare. For Brinta Havermout, Albert Heijn describes a two-minute preparation in the microwave with milk. Follow the instructions on the pack for quantities and preparation.
Should I check the allergen declaration on porridge oats too?
Yes, if allergens matter to your choice. As well as the ingredients, check the latest allergen declaration on the pack; a short ingredients list doesn’t replace this check.