Which option is right for you?

Breakfast on a busy morning

If you don't want to weigh out oats on weekdays, sachets are one option. Quaker and Albert Heijn state that Oats Express takes 2 minutes to prepare; follow the instructions for the product you've chosen.

Buying in bulk and measuring your own portions

Loose wholegrain oats let you measure out as much as you need for each breakfast. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list wholegrain oats as an ingredient in their own-brand fine oats; Jumbo also sells a 1 kg pack.

Shopping to meet an ingredient or allergen requirement

Check the full ingredients list and allergen information for every product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that ordinary oat products are not automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease; a protein variety may also contain soya.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you need the convenience of a measured portion or would rather weigh out your own oats. Then compare the ingredients and allergen information for the specific pack.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it's important for
Quick preparation Check the portion size and preparation instructions. Albert Heijn and Quaker state that Oats Express takes 2 minutes to prepare. On a busy morning, I don't want to weigh out oats first. Around 36% of consumers say minimal preparation is their top priority.
Stocking up and portion sizes Compare the pack weight and number of portions; Jumbo lists fine wholegrain oats in a 1 kg pack, among other options. If I eat porridge regularly, I want to decide how much goes in each bowl. For around 29% of consumers, this flexibility matters most.
Protein content Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check whether the protein variety contains soya protein. I'm specifically looking for a different protein content from ordinary porridge, but I also want to know which ingredients have been added. Around 21% of consumers say this is their top priority.
Gluten and allergens If you have coeliac disease, check for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol. Also read the allergen information for the exact product. If I need to avoid gluten or a specific allergen, the product's suitability matters more than the convenience of a sachet. This is the main deciding factor for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming wholegrain means gluten-free

    Wholegrain describes the grain used; it doesn't tell you whether a product is suitable for people with coeliac disease. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the risk of oats being contaminated with gluten; other allergens can also vary between products.

    Check for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read the latest allergen information on the pack.

  • Confusing pack weight with the number of portions

    A pack of loose oats and a box of portion sachets need to be measured differently. The total weight alone won't tell you how many pre-measured portions you'll get.

    As well as the weight, check the portion size and, for sachets, the number of sachets in the pack you've chosen.

  • Choosing a protein variety without checking the ingredients

    A different protein content doesn't make a product suitable for everyone. The Quaker protein variety described contains soya protein, which is important to know if you avoid soya.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and read the ingredients and allergen information before adding this product to your order.

  • Assuming supermarket ranges are available for delivery

    Lidl Netherlands states that it doesn't sell groceries through its website or app and doesn't offer a grocery delivery service. The ALDI app and shopping list don't, on their own, tell you whether a particular product can be delivered.

    When ordering online, check that the retailer can deliver the exact product to your postcode.

Brands and retailers at a glance

Quaker

Quaker offers both ordinary wholegrain porridge oats and Oats Express portions, as well as a protein variety.

  • Quaker lists 100% wholegrain oats as an ingredient in Original and gives Oats Express a preparation time of 2 minutes.
  • Ingredients and allergens vary by product; check for soya, barley and wheat, among other things.

Brinta

Brinta Wholegrain Cereal Breakfast is an alternative if you want a hot cereal breakfast but aren't specifically looking for oats.

  • Albert Heijn lists wholemeal wheat flour and salt as ingredients.
  • This isn't instant porridge: it contains wheat and isn't suitable if you're specifically looking for oats.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists its own-brand fine wholegrain oats, as well as products from brands including Quaker and Brinta.

  • Its own-brand range includes loose fine wholegrain oats as an alternative to portion sachets.
  • Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional information and allergen information may change; compare the product page with the pack you receive.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists fine and coarse wholegrain oats, including a 1 kg pack of fine oats.

  • The own-brand fine oats listed contain wholegrain oats as an ingredient.
  • Read the allergen information on the pack you've chosen; the coarse oats may contain barley, rye and wheat.

Lidl

Lidl is a physical supermarket, but it isn't a delivery option for this online grocery purchase.

  • Lidl Netherlands says groceries aren't sold through its website or app and that it doesn't offer a grocery delivery service.

Aldi

ALDI provides information about its range, an app and a digital shopping list.

  • The shopping list can help you remember what to buy on a visit to the store.
  • Check delivery options separately before using the app to order porridge oats.

Quaker Oats Express on Joybuy

These two Quaker Oats Express products are worth considering if you want to compare a regular Express variety with a Protein variety. Check the pack weight, nutritional information and allergens for each product; loose wholegrain oats aren't included in this selection.

Quaker Express Oatmeal, 324 g pack

Quaker Express Oatmeal, 324 g

An option to consider if you're choosing an Express variety instead of loose oats. The pack contains 324 g; check the portion size, ingredients and allergens for this product.

View on Joybuy
Quaker Oats Express Protein, 302 g pack

Quaker Oats Express Protein, 302 g

For anyone comparing the ingredients in a Protein variety with ordinary porridge oats. The pack contains 302 g; check the nutritional information per 100 g, and read the ingredients and allergen information, including details of soya.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is ordinary wholegrain porridge automatically gluten-free?

No, wholegrain porridge oats aren't automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the risk of oats being contaminated with gluten; if this applies to you, check the pack for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol.

Where can I find allergen information when ordering online?

Check the allergen information on the product page before buying, and read the label when your order arrives. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergen information must be available before purchase; Albert Heijn notes that product information may change.

What's the preparation difference between loose oats and Oats Express?

With loose oats, you measure out your own portion; Oats Express is designed as a pre-measured portion. Albert Heijn and Quaker state that Oats Express takes 2 minutes to prepare. Always follow the instructions on your chosen pack for the amount of liquid and how to prepare it.

How should I store an opened pack of oats?

Follow the storage advice on the specific pack. Albert Heijn and Jumbo product pages recommend storing oats in a cool, dry place and closing the pack securely after use.