If you’re looking for a simple breakfast staple
For porridge, overnight oats or baking, the main thing to check is whether the pack contains only wholegrain oats or is a blended mix. Check the ingredients list for the exact product.
Which option is right for you?
If you need a quick breakfast
If you want soft, warm porridge without a long wait, the flake size and preparation instructions matter more than the brand name alone. Extra-fine flakes have a different texture from coarse flakes.
If you carefully check ingredients and allergens
If you follow a strict gluten-free diet or have other dietary requirements, check the information on the current packaging. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, regular oats aren’t automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease because they may be contaminated with gluten.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking the ingredients and the texture you want. Then consider any dietary requirements and whether the pack you’ve chosen can be included in your delivery order.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain base and ingredients | Check whether the product is made from wholegrain oats or oat flakes, and read the full ingredients list for any blends. | I want a simple, recognisable base for porridge and baking, without accidentally choosing a mixed breakfast product. For around 36% of consumers, this simple wholegrain base comes first. |
| Preparation and texture | Compare fine and coarse flakes, and read the preparation instructions for the exact pack. | If I want my breakfast to soften quickly, I’ll choose something different from when I want more bite in my bowl. This combination of preparation and texture matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Gluten and other allergens | Check the current allergen information and, if necessary, the appropriate gluten-free label on the packaging. | If I follow a strict diet, I need to be able to check whether this particular pack meets my requirements; the word ‘oats’ alone isn’t enough. For around 21% of consumers, this check is the top priority. |
| Delivery availability | Once you’ve chosen your address and delivery slot, check whether the exact pack is available to order and what conditions apply to your order. | I want to avoid having to replace my chosen oats when I’m completing my order. Availability for delivery is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all oats are suitable for people with coeliac disease
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, regular oats may be contaminated with gluten. So, seeing ‘oats’ or ‘wholegrain’ on a product page isn’t enough to confirm that the product is suitable for someone with coeliac disease.
Check the gluten-free label and certification on the packaging of the exact product, along with the latest allergen information.
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Assuming a protein mix is the same as plain oats
A blended product may contain different ingredients and allergens. The protein version described by Albert Heijn contains, among other things, soya protein, linseed and sunflower seeds in addition to wholegrain oat flakes.
Compare the full ingredients list with that of plain oats before switching products.
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Assuming a product page means the item is available for delivery
An item being listed in a range doesn’t necessarily mean you can choose it for home delivery. For example, Lidl lists the coarse oat flakes described here as available in store only.
Enter your address and delivery slot, then check whether the exact pack you want can be added to your order.
Brands and supermarket ranges to consider
Brinta
Brinta offers oats with extra-fine flakes for anyone who wants to make soft, warm porridge.
- Albert Heijn describes Brinta oat flakes as extra fine and quick to prepare.
- If you follow a strict gluten-free diet, check the packaging; regular oats aren’t automatically gluten-free.
Quaker
The regular 600 g pack of Quaker Oats is an example of a simple wholegrain base for porridge or baking.
- Jumbo lists 100% wholegrain oats as the ingredient in this variety.
- Check the allergen information for the variety you choose; regular oats aren’t necessarily gluten-free.
Albert Heijn
The range includes separate wholegrain, blended protein and gluten-free wholegrain oat products.
- The product descriptions distinguish between a protein mix with soya and seeds, and a separate wholegrain variety labelled gluten-free.
- Read the ingredients and allergen information for each variety; these products aren’t interchangeable.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range includes fine, coarse and organic wholegrain oats.
- The 500 g organic variety lists wholegrain oats from organic sources as an ingredient.
- Choose the flake texture and exact product before checking availability for your delivery slot.
Lidl
Lidl lists coarse oat flakes as a separate product in its range.
- The product page clearly identifies the flakes as coarse.
- Lidl lists this product as available in store only, so don’t expect to be able to add it to a delivery order.
Aldi
Aldi lists Golden Bridge Fine Wholegrain Oats, 500 g, in its product range.
- The product description specifies both wholegrain oats and a fine texture.
- Check the current way to buy the product separately if home delivery is essential for you.
Oat products at Joybuy
These products may suit you if you’re looking for a simple oat base or prefer a quick preparation time. Compare the packaging and product information for your chosen variety with what you need for breakfast.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal, 324 g
Worth considering if quick preparation is important to your morning routine. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the current pack before choosing this variety.
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Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal, 500 g
An option if you’re looking for a wholegrain oat base. If flake texture or preparation time is important to you, check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions on the current packaging.
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Quaker Oats, 600 g
A simple base for porridge or baking if you’d like a larger pack. Jumbo lists 100% wholegrain oats as the ingredient in Quaker Oats, 600 g; if you have dietary requirements, check the allergens on the pack too.
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Quaker Oats, 375 g
A smaller pack to consider if you’re looking for oats for porridge or baking. Check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions for this particular 375 g variety.
Frequently asked questions
Are all oats automatically wholegrain?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats are made from cut and rolled oat grains and are a wholegrain cereal. If you’re buying a blended breakfast mix, check the product name and ingredients list to see what else it contains.
Can I choose regular oats if I have coeliac disease?
Don’t choose based on the name ‘oats’ alone: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, regular oats may be contaminated with gluten. For the exact product, check for the appropriate gluten-free label and the official Crossed Grain certification on the packaging.
Where can I check the allergens in a pack ordered online?
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, and check the packaging when it arrives too. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that designated allergens must be clearly listed on the label of prepacked foods.
How should I store an opened pack of oats?
Store opened oats in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also follow the storage advice and use-by or best-before date on your product’s packaging.
Why can’t I always get a product I’ve found delivered?
A product page doesn’t confirm that an item can be ordered for your address and delivery slot. For example, Lidl says that the coarse oat flakes described here are available in store only. If you’re ordering online, check the exact product in your basket.