Choose portions if a set serving size and quick preparation are your priorities on busy mornings. If you’d like to decide how much to make for several breakfasts, consider a larger pack of fine wholegrain oat flakes. Whichever you choose, check the ingredients and allergen information; wholegrain doesn’t automatically mean gluten-free.
If you’re stocking up for several portions at once, a pack you can measure out yourself is practical. Jumbo lists fine wholegrain oat flakes in 500 g and 1 kg packs. Think about how much you’ll use during the week and how you’ll keep the pack sealed.
Pre-measured portions can be useful when you want a warm bowl of porridge with minimal preparation. Albert Heijn lists a preparation time of two minutes for Quaker Oats Express Naturel. Follow the preparation instructions for whichever variety you choose.
Read the ingredients list if you specifically want wholegrain oats, and compare the nutritional information for other varieties. If you need to avoid gluten because of coeliac disease, the Voedingscentrum advises not relying on the words ‘wholegrain oats’ alone: check for a gluten-free label or the official Crossed Grain symbol, and read the allergen information.
First decide whether you need a week’s supply, quick preparation, a straightforward ingredient list or specific allergen information. Then compare the packaging and labels of the varieties that suit your needs.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and packaging | Check the net weight and work out how many breakfast portions you want to get from the pack. | If I’m buying for several mornings at once, I want to measure out my own portions and keep the pack sealed. For around 40% of consumers, having enough for the week is the top priority. |
| Preparation time | Read the time and method on the pack, including instructions for water, milk, a pan or a microwave. | On busy mornings, I want to make a warm bowl without having to measure much out. Quick preparation is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Wholegrain and ingredients | Read the ingredients list and compare the nutritional information, including fibre per 100 g and any added ingredients. | I want to know what’s in my oatmeal, even if it’s sold as a quick breakfast. Around 20% of consumers prioritise the ingredients. |
| Allergens | Check the allergen information and, if you need to, look for an explicit gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol. | If I need to avoid gluten, I must be able to check whether this particular pack meets my requirements. This is the top priority for around 10% of consumers. |
Quick preparation is handy, but pre-portioned servings aren’t necessary for everyone, every morning of the week.
Think about when pre-measured portions will genuinely help and when you’d rather measure out oat flakes yourself at home.
According to the Voedingscentrum, ordinary oat products may be unsuitable for people with coeliac disease because they can come into contact with gluten during processing. A label such as ‘100% oats’ doesn’t answer that question.
If you have coeliac disease, check for an explicit gluten-free label or the official Crossed Grain symbol, and read the allergen information on the pack you choose.
Two oat products can differ in their ingredients and nutritional value, even if both are sold as breakfast products.
Read the ingredients list and compare fibre, sugars and salt in the nutritional information per 100 g. Check the allergen information too.
Worth considering if you’re looking for pre-measured oatmeal portions that are quick to prepare in the morning.
Worth considering if you’re looking for fine oat flakes that you can measure out yourself.
Worth considering if you’re buying wholegrain oat flakes for several breakfasts.
Worth considering if you want to compare different wholegrain oat products within one range.
ALDI’s oat brand is worth considering if you’re looking for fine or coarse wholegrain oatmeal.
These two packs of oatmeal are worth considering if you’re shopping for busy mornings or several breakfasts during the week. Compare the preparation method, ingredients and allergen information on each pack before choosing.
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Worth a look if you’re after oatmeal for busy mornings. Check the preparation instructions, ingredients and allergen information on this pack.
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A pack to consider if you want to measure out oatmeal for several breakfasts. Read the preparation instructions and allergen information for this variety before choosing.
When buying packaged instant oats, don’t rely on the product name alone: check the wholegrain label and ingredients list for the variety you choose. The Voedingscentrum describes oatmeal as a wholegrain cereal product, but other oat-based breakfast products may contain additional ingredients.
Instant portions are pre-measured; with a pack of loose oat flakes, you decide how much to use. Preparation time depends on the specific product: Albert Heijn lists two minutes for Quaker Oats Express Naturel and describes the extra-fine flakes in Brinta Havermout as quick to prepare.
Don’t assume that ordinary wholegrain oatmeal is gluten-free. According to the Voedingscentrum, oat products can come into contact with gluten, so check for an explicit gluten-free label or the official Crossed Grain symbol, and read the allergen information on the pack.
Check the label on the pre-packed product, even if you’ve bought the same oatmeal before. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires allergens to be clearly listed there; also read any warnings about the possible presence of other cereals.
