Choose oats with a stated short preparation time if you have little time for lunch. If you want to choose your own savoury ingredients and portions, compare fine or coarse wholegrain oats with the quick single-serve options. Check the wholegrain claim, preparation instructions and allergens on the exact pack; a protein option may contain soya, and ordinary oats are not automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease.
You want to make a warm bowl of porridge during a short break. In that case, the stated preparation time, the equipment available and any single-serve packaging matter more to your choice than the word ‘instant’ alone.
You’re looking for a wholegrain base to which you can add your own savoury ingredients. Fine and coarse flakes are both worth considering; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat flakes give a savoury recipe more texture.
You want to know which grains and added ingredients are in the pack. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ordinary oats are not automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease; some protein options also contain soya.
First, decide how quickly you want to prepare lunch and what equipment you can use. Then compare the ingredients in the exact options that meet your needs.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation time | Read the preparation instructions for the equipment you can use. Albert Heijn states that Quaker Oats Express Naturel can be prepared in 2 minutes using a microwave or saucepan. | If my lunch break is short, I want to know in advance whether I can make a warm bowl with the equipment I have. Around 42% of consumers prioritise a short preparation time. |
| Wholegrain base and ingredients | Check the wholegrain claim and ingredients on the exact pack. For fine and coarse flakes, also check the preparation instructions. | For a savoury lunch, I want to decide for myself what to add to my oats. A simple wholegrain base is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Allergens and added protein | Read the current ingredients and allergen information. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products are suitable for people with coeliac disease only if the official Crossed Grain symbol appears on the pack. | If I need to watch out for soya or gluten-containing grains, or I’m deliberately comparing an option with added protein, I want to know exactly what’s in it. This check is the most important one for around 25% of consumers. |
A general description of oats doesn’t tell you which wholegrain claim appears on the pack you’re buying. For example, Brinta Havermout’s product description mentions oat flakes, but doesn’t explicitly say ‘wholegrain’ for that pack.
If wholegrain is a priority, check the claim and ingredients on the product itself.
Added protein also changes the ingredients. The Quaker Oats Express protein option described by Albert Heijn contains soya protein and may contain barley and wheat.
Compare the ingredients and allergens in the exact protein option with those in ordinary oats.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats may be contaminated with gluten. That’s why ordinary porridge oats are not automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease.
If you’re buying oats for this purpose, check that the official Crossed Grain symbol is on the pack and read the current allergen information.
Quaker offers both ordinary oats and Express portions, as well as an option with added protein.
Brinta Havermout is worth considering if you want to prepare oat flakes with hot water or milk.
The AH range includes wholegrain oats with fine flakes and a separate protein option.
Jumbo offers fine and coarse wholegrain oats, so you can compare different types of flakes for a lunch you put together yourself.
Lidl lists coarse oat flakes as a product and mentions oats in its general information about wholegrain cereal products.
ALDI lists fine and coarse wholegrain oats from Golden Bridge.
These two Quaker Express options are worth considering if you’re thinking of a quick, warm oat-based lunch: one plain option and one with added protein. Compare the preparation instructions and ingredients on the pack before choosing.
Image unavailable
An option to consider if you want to prepare oats during a short lunch break. Pack size: 324 g. Check the preparation instructions, wholegrain claim and allergens on the pack.
Image unavailable
An option to compare if added protein matters to your lunch choice. Pack size: 302 g. Joybuy states that it takes 2 minutes to prepare; also check the current ingredients and allergens, including soya.
No: ‘wholegrain’ and a short preparation time are separate things to check for each option. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes oats as a wholegrain cereal product, but the proportion of oats varies in products with other ingredients; for example, Albert Heijn states that AH Volkoren Havermout Proteïne contains 76% wholegrain oat flakes.
Ordinary oats are not automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products are suitable only when the official Crossed Grain symbol appears on the pack; check the current allergen information too.
Start with plain oats and add savoury ingredients to taste. In a recipe from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats are simmered with water for 5–6 minutes over a low heat, then served with mushrooms and a fried egg; the recipe suggests oat flakes as an alternative for more texture. Follow the preparation instructions for other products.
Because ingredients and product information can change. Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change, so check the pack of the option you’re actually buying before you purchase it.
