Which pack works best for your family?

Families who make porridge often

If you regularly measure out portions at home, a larger pack can be practical. Choose a size based on how quickly you’ll use it and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.

Families short on time

Pre-measured sachets save you having to measure things out at busy mealtimes. Check, though, that the contents of one sachet are right for what your child eats at that time.

Families who need to check allergens

If your child follows a prescribed diet, or you send food to nursery or school, the current label and the setting’s rules matter more than the type of packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that ordinary oats can be contaminated with gluten.

What should you look for when choosing?

When choosing porridge oats for a toddler, first think about what matters most to your family. Quick portions, a practical pack to keep in the cupboard and suitability for a prescribed diet all require different checks.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Allergens and nursery or school rules Check the current label for cereals containing gluten and any other relevant allergens. Ask the nursery or school about its rules. If I need to send food in or cater for a prescribed diet, I want to know what my child is eating and which rules apply. Allergen checks are a top priority for around 28% of consumers.
Ingredients and the meal Check the ingredients and nutritional information, including any added sugars or salt. Think about how the porridge fits into the rest of the meal. I want to decide for myself what else goes on the table alongside the porridge. Around 28% of consumers prioritise the make-up of their toddler’s meal.
Packaging and storage Compare the net weight, best-before date and storage advice with how often you make porridge. If I make porridge often, I want a pack I can use up and store properly. Stock management is the biggest consideration for around 22% of consumers.
Preparation and portions Check the amount in each sachet, how much liquid you need and the preparation instructions. At busy times, I want less measuring to do, but I don’t want to serve a whole sachet automatically. Convenience comes first for around 22% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ordinary oats are gluten-free

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can be contaminated with gluten. This means an ordinary pack of porridge oats is not automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease.

    If a gluten-free diet is essential, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the label every time you buy it.

  • Choosing a large pack when speed is your main priority

    With a large pack, you’ll need to measure out the oats yourself and store what’s left properly. Portion sachets save you measuring, but the amount in each sachet may not match what your child eats.

    Compare how much you use each week with the pack size, and check the preparation instructions and portion size before choosing.

    Some of a large pack may go unused if you make less porridge than expected.

  • Thinking of porridge as a complete dinner for your toddler

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes varied meals for children aged 12 months and over. Porridge on its own doesn’t provide the range of foods in a meal like this.

    Use porridge as the grain component and vary it with other suitable parts of the meal.

  • Relying on an old ingredients list online

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. This is particularly important if you’re choosing food for a prescribed diet or sending it in with your child.

    Read the label on the pack you buy, and also check the policy at the nursery or school your child attends.

Brands to consider

Quaker

Quaker sells ordinary wholegrain porridge oats in a 600 g pack, as well as Oats Express Natural in 12 portion sachets of 27 g each.

  • A larger pack lets you measure out your own portions; the sachets mean less measuring.
  • The ordinary and instant varieties mentioned are not automatically suitable for a gluten-free diet. Check the allergen information for each product.

Brinta

Brinta Porridge Oats are made with extra-fine oat flakes and come in a 450 g pack.

  • According to the product information, you can prepare the oats in the microwave with milk or water.
  • You’ll need to measure out the portion yourself. The product contains cereals containing gluten and may contain traces of wheat and rye.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn sells its own-brand fine wholegrain oat flakes in a 500 g pack. It also sells Elovena Natural Instant Oatmeal, which is labelled gluten-free.

  • The own-brand oat flakes give you a base for making up your own portions.
  • Elovena’s gluten-free label does not automatically apply to Albert Heijn’s own-brand oat flakes. If a gluten-free diet is essential, check the label of the product you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo sells its own-brand fine wholegrain porridge oats in a 1 kg pack, which, according to the product information, makes 25 portions.

  • The larger pack suits families who regularly measure out and store their own porridge oats.
  • The packaging lists oats as a cereal containing gluten and states that barley, rye and wheat may be present. Don’t consider this a gluten-free option.

Lidl

Lidl sells CROWNFIELD Organic Porridge Oats in a 500 g pack as an in-store product.

  • An option to consider if you’re looking for organic porridge oats in store.
  • Check the preparation instructions, ingredients and allergens on the pack before deciding whether this product suits your needs.

ALDI

ALDI sells Golden Bridge wholegrain porridge oats in coarse and fine 500 g varieties.

  • You can choose the flake size to suit the dish you want to make.
  • Check the preparation instructions and allergen information for your chosen variety on the label. Fine flakes are not automatically instant or gluten-free.

Instant portions for busy mealtimes

This Joybuy selection features Quaker porridge oats for anyone who would rather use portion packs than measure oats out of a large pack for their toddler’s meal. Compare the portion size with what your child eats, and check the current label if allergens are a concern.

Quaker Express Oatmeal, 324 g pack

Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g

A good fit for mealtimes when you’d rather not measure oats out of a large pack. Check the individual portion and preparation instructions before use. If a gluten-free diet is essential, don’t assume it’s suitable: check the current allergen information on the label.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are ordinary porridge oats automatically gluten-free?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats are naturally gluten-free but can be contaminated with gluten. If you have coeliac disease, choose only oats explicitly labelled gluten-free or bearing the Crossed Grain symbol, and check the packaging.

Can instant porridge be a complete dinner for my toddler?

No, not as a general replacement for a varied meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends varied meals for children aged 12 months and over, so use porridge as one part of the meal.

Does my toddler need to eat a whole sachet of instant porridge?

No. The amount in a sachet won’t automatically be right for every child. Compare the portion on the pack with what your child eats, and follow the preparation instructions if you make a smaller amount.

How should I store a large pack of porridge oats after opening?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack and seal it well after use. Also check the best-before date, and choose a pack size that suits how much you use.

Where can I find allergen information for pre-packed porridge oats?

Check the label on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information must be provided on pre-packed foods. If you’re sending food in with your child, also check the nursery or school’s rules separately.