Loose fine wholegrain oat flakes are a good choice for a weekday breakfast if you want to decide the portion size and what to add yourself. Individual sachets save you measuring time; a variety with added protein is worth considering if you’re specifically looking for it. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g, and check the allergens on the packaging.
If you don’t want to weigh out oats on working days, individual portion sachets are handy to compare. Loose fine flakes can also be quick to prepare, but you’ll need to decide the quantity yourself. So consider not just the preparation time, but also the steps that matter to you.
With plain wholegrain oat flakes, you decide what to add. Check the ingredients list if you’re looking for a simple base, and compare the nutritional information of similar products per 100 g rather than per portion. This is also the basis for comparison recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
If you’re considering a variety with added protein, check the full ingredients list: the Quaker and Albert Heijn varieties reviewed contain soya protein. If you have coeliac disease, regular oats may not be suitable; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking for the official Crossed Grain mark on oat products.
First decide whether you’re looking to save time in the morning, want a plain base or need to check specific ingredients. Then compare the packaging and nutritional information of the varieties that meet your needs.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer steps in the morning | Check whether you need to weigh out the oats yourself, and follow the preparation time and amount of liquid stated on the packaging. | If you want to prepare a set portion quickly, measuring matters just as much as cooking time. This convenience is a top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| A plain wholegrain base | Read the ingredients list and compare sugars and fibre in similar products per 100 g. | If you want to choose your own fruit or other additions, you’ll want to know what’s already in the oats. This is the most important consideration for around 42% of consumers. |
| Protein and allergens | Check the ingredients list for added protein and soya; if you have coeliac disease, look for a gluten-free statement and certification mark on the packaging. | If added protein is the reason you’re choosing a different variety, or you need to avoid an allergen, the exact ingredients matter. This check is the top priority for around 16% of consumers. |
Wholegrain describes the grain used, but doesn’t tell you what other ingredients have been added to a flavoured or protein variety. As a result, two wholegrain products can have different ingredients.
Read the ingredients list and compare the nutritional information per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking sugars and fibre in breakfast cereals, among other things.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can become contaminated with gluten during processing. The words ‘oats’ or ‘wholegrain’ on the front of a packet aren’t enough to confirm that they’re suitable.
Check the latest allergen information and gluten-free statement on the packaging. For people with coeliac disease, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking for the official Crossed Grain mark on oat products.
These examples highlight differences between specific oat products; the ingredients of one variety don’t necessarily apply to every product from the same brand.
Quaker Oats Express Naturel is a portion-sized option for anyone who wants to prepare a set amount; the product information at Albert Heijn gives a preparation time of two minutes.
Brinta Havermout and Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt are different products, even though both can be used for a hot breakfast.
The own-brand range includes both fine wholegrain oat flakes and a separate protein variety.
Jumbo lists fine and coarse wholegrain oats in different pack sizes.
ALDI lists both fine and coarse wholegrain oats under the Golden Bridge brand.
These products suit two ways of choosing oats for working days: a portion-sized option with no specific focus on protein, and a variety with added protein. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the product you choose to see whether it suits your breakfast.
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This portion-sized option is ideal if you don’t want to weigh out loose oat flakes yourself on working days. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the packaging, especially if you need to avoid gluten.
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This variety is worth considering if you’re specifically looking for oats with added protein. Joybuy’s product information lists wholegrain oats, added soya protein and a preparation time of two minutes. Check the latest allergen information if you need to avoid soya or gluten-containing cereals.
No. The preparation method alone doesn’t determine whether a product is wholegrain. Albert Heijn’s product information lists Quaker Oats Express Naturel as wholegrain, while AH fine wholegrain oats list wholegrain oat flakes as the only ingredient. Check the ingredients list of the variety you choose.
Compare the ingredients first, then the nutritional information per 100 g, so differences in portion size don’t skew the comparison. Check sugars, fibre, protein and salt, and if the variety has added protein, check the allergens too, such as soya.
Not necessarily. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can become contaminated with gluten during processing. So check the latest packaging for a gluten-free statement and the official Crossed Grain mark recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre for oat products.
Start with the ingredients and allergen information for the specific variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority emphasises that prepacked foods must clearly state what they contain and identify allergens on the label. Then use the nutritional information per 100 g to compare similar oat products.
