If you’ve agreed to serve something literally sugar-free
If you’ve agreed that dinner must be sugar-free, ‘no added sugars’ isn’t enough. Compare the sugars per 100 g on the pack with the 0.5 g threshold.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you want to choose the flavour of the dish yourself
For a neutral or savoury porridge base, check the ingredients list to make sure it contains only oats. When putting the whole dish together, also consider what you add to the porridge.
If you’re cooking for guests with allergen restrictions
Ask in advance which ingredients your guests need to avoid, and read the allergen information on the exact pack you plan to use. An ingredients list containing only oats doesn’t rule out warnings about other cereals.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is a strict requirement or whether you simply want no added sugars in your porridge base. Then choose a type of oat flake that suits the dish, and check the allergen information for your guests.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free or no added sugars | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘sugar-free’ can be used when a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; ‘no added sugars’ means something different. | If I’ve agreed with my guests that dinner will be sugar-free, I want the product itself to meet that requirement. Around 50% of consumers would make this literal requirement their top priority when buying. |
| Type of oat flake and preparation | Compare fine and coarse flakes, serving sizes and preparation instructions with the dish you plan to serve. | For my dinner, I want flakes that give the dish the right texture and are ready on time. For around 30% of consumers, this practical choice would come first. |
| Allergens | Check the exact pack for listed allergens and any other cereals that may be present. | If a guest needs to avoid certain cereals, I want to know before cooking whether the pack I’ve chosen is suitable. Around 20% of consumers are expected to make this their top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’
According to Albert Heijn, Quaker Oats Express Naturel is sold as having no added sugars, but it lists 1.0 g of sugars per 100 g. That’s above the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s threshold of no more than 0.5 g per 100 g for ‘sugar-free’.
If sugar-free is a strict requirement, use the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g as your deciding factor, rather than relying on the wording on the front of the pack.
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Comparing dry oats with a prepared bowl
The nutritional information Albert Heijn shows for a prepared serving of Brinta Havermout is based on semi-skimmed milk. So it doesn’t describe the dry flakes alone.
Compare products using the nutritional information per 100 g of dry oats, then look separately at what milk, yoghurt, fruit or toppings add to the finished dish.
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Assuming that oats as the only ingredient tell you everything about allergens
Oat products may also carry allergen information or warnings about the possible presence of other cereals. For example, Albert Heijn warns that Brinta may contain wheat and rye.
Ask your guests which ingredients they need to avoid, and check the allergen information on the pack you’ll actually be using.
Brands to consider
These brands and own-label ranges offer different types of porridge oats or oat flakes. A brand name on its own doesn’t tell you whether a specific pack is sugar-free.
Brinta
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Brinta Havermout is made from 100% oat flakes and has extra-fine flakes.
- The ingredients list contains only oat flakes.
- The nutritional information shown for the prepared serving isn’t the sugar content of the dry product; wheat and rye may be present.
Quaker
Quaker offers regular porridge oats, as well as Oats Express Naturel in individual sachets.
- According to Albert Heijn, Oats Express Naturel contains wholegrain oats and is sold as having no added sugars.
- Albert Heijn lists 1.0 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety; also check for warnings about soya, barley and wheat.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers porridge oats in fine and coarse flakes, among other varieties. The Grove Vlokken Volkoren reviewed here is made from wholegrain oat flakes.
- Jumbo lists 0.7 g of sugars per 100 g for Grove Vlokken Volkoren.
- That’s above the threshold for ‘sugar-free’. Also check the allergen information for oats and the possible presence of other cereals.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn provides product information for products including Brinta Havermout and Quaker Oats Express Naturel.
- The product information makes it easier to compare ingredients, nutritional values and preparation instructions.
- Before using the product, also read the label on the pack you’ve bought; product information can change.
Lidl
Lidl sells oat flakes as a product category.
- Oat flakes are one possible base to consider for dinner.
- Assess the specific pack by checking its ingredients, sugars per 100 g and allergen information.
ALDI / Golden Bridge
ALDI sells Golden Bridge fine wholegrain porridge oats.
- The fine flakes offer an alternative to coarser porridge oats.
- If sugar-free is a requirement or you need to account for allergen restrictions, check the nutritional information and allergen details on the exact pack.
Joybuy products for this topic
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. A product with no added sugars may still contain naturally occurring sugars; Albert Heijn lists 1.0 g of sugars per 100 g for Quaker Oats Express Naturel.
Can I serve regular porridge oats if a guest needs to eat gluten-free?
Don’t assume that regular porridge oats are suitable. Check the allergen information on the exact pack and make sure your choice is suitable for what your guest needs to avoid. Jumbo lists oats and gluten for Grove Vlokken, along with the possible presence of other cereals; Albert Heijn warns that Brinta may contain wheat and rye.
What should I check on the pack before buying porridge oats for guests?
Read the ingredients, ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g, the allergen information and the preparation instructions. This helps you check that the product meets your sugar requirement and decide whether the flakes and preparation method will suit your dish.
Is Quaker Oats Express Naturel a good option if I’m short on preparation time?
The individual sachets may suit you if you want a quick option: Albert Heijn lists a preparation time of two minutes. However, this variety contains 1.0 g of sugars per 100 g, so it doesn’t meet the threshold of no more than 0.5 g per 100 g for a literally sugar-free dinner.