For a daily breakfast, start by choosing oats with ingredients that suit your needs. If you’re considering flavoured varieties, compare the added salt and sugars too. Fine flakes are a good choice if you prefer a smoother porridge, while individual portions can make measuring easier. Choose a pack size that suits how you use it, and always check the current label if you have allergies.
If you eat oats regularly, start with the ingredients list, then choose fine or coarse flakes. Voedingscentrum describes oats as a wholegrain cereal and advises checking breakfast cereals for added salt and sugars.
If you use oats regularly, you could consider a larger bag, provided you can keep it sealed and store it in a dry place at home. A smaller pack may be more practical if you’d rather store or handle less at a time.
If you want to make warm porridge quickly or prefer not to measure it out, consider fine flakes or individual portions. Albert Heijn describes Brinta Havermout 450 g’s extra-fine flakes as quick to prepare; according to Albert Heijn, Quaker Oats Express Naturel is available in individual portions.
Start with the ingredients and the flake texture you prefer. Then consider which pack size and preparation method suit your daily routine.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain base and ingredients | Read the product name and ingredients list. For flavoured varieties, check the added salt and sugars too. | If I eat oats for breakfast often, I want to know whether I’m buying plain flakes or a variety with other ingredients. For around 45% of consumers, this choice of ingredients would come first. |
| Pack size and storage | Check the pack contents and storage instructions. Choose an amount you can use and store properly. | If I use oats regularly, I want to have enough at home without choosing a pack that’s awkward to handle or store. This would be the main consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Preparation and texture | Compare fine and coarse flakes and read the preparation instructions. For individual portions, check the amount in each pack. | If I’m short on time or prefer not to measure, I want to know how to prepare the oats and what texture to expect. Around 22% of consumers would base their choice mainly on this. |
A prepared breakfast product may contain ingredients other than oats. So the name on the front doesn’t tell you everything about what you’re putting in your bowl each day.
Compare the full ingredients lists for flavoured varieties, cups and products with toppings against those for plain oat flakes. Check the added salt and sugars too.
Allergen information and warnings about possible traces vary from product to product. For example, Albert Heijn states that Brinta Havermout 450 g may contain traces of wheat and rye.
If you have an allergy, read the current allergen information on the exact pack you’re buying. Don’t rely on the type of grain alone.
Brinta Havermout 450 g is an option if you’re looking for extra-fine flakes.
Quaker offers both plain oats and an Express variety in individual portions.
Jumbo stocks plain oats with fine and coarse wholegrain flakes.
Albert Heijn has its own oat varieties with fine or coarse flakes.
Golden Bridge is the own-brand label under which ALDI lists fine and coarse wholegrain oats.
These products come in different pack sizes and include both plain oats and an Express variety. Use the product information to decide whether you’re looking for loose flakes or a breakfast that’s easier to portion out.
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This Express variety may suit you if you’re looking for a breakfast that’s easy to portion out. Check the pack to see whether the portion sizes and preparation method work for you.
Pack size: 324 g. If you have allergies, read the current allergen information.
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These oats may suit you if you want extra-fine flakes for warm porridge; Albert Heijn describes the flakes in Brinta Havermout 450 g as quick to prepare.
Pack size: 450 g. If you have allergies, check the current label, including the warning about possible traces of wheat and rye.
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This pack may suit you if you want to keep enough oats at home for several breakfasts. Consider whether you can store and use the full pack comfortably.
Pack size: 600 g. Check the ingredients, nutritional information and preparation instructions on the current pack.
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If you’re considering this product for a wholegrain oat breakfast, check the type of grain on the pack: the product name includes both ‘Whole Wheat’ and ‘Oatmeal’.
Pack size: 500 g. Before choosing, also read the ingredients, allergen information and preparation instructions.
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This smaller Quaker pack may suit you if you want to store less oats at a time than you would with the 600 g pack.
Pack size: 375 g. Check the ingredients and preparation instructions on the pack, especially if they’re important to your choice.
No. Voedingscentrum describes oats as a wholegrain cereal, but in granola, cups and flavoured varieties, oats may be one of several ingredients. If you’re looking for plain oat flakes, check the product name and ingredients list.
Start with the ingredients, then choose a flake texture and pack size that suit how you use them. Voedingscentrum advises checking breakfast cereals for added salt and sugars; for prepared varieties, read the full nutritional information too.
Check the allergen information on the current pack for the specific product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains allergen labelling; for example, Albert Heijn warns that Brinta Havermout 450 g may contain traces of wheat and rye.
