For cupboard shoppers who want a simple staple
You want wholegrain oats for regular breakfasts, overnight oats, yoghurt or baking. A short ingredients list makes it easier to tell a simple oat base from a mix containing other ingredients.
Which choice is right for you?
For people short on time at breakfast
You’re looking for an option that fits your morning routine. For an Express or portion-sized option, check how to prepare it and what ingredients and allergens it contains, rather than assuming that all oat products have the same composition.
For shoppers who need gluten-free oats
Regular oats may not be a suitable choice for you. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, if you have coeliac disease, it’s important to look for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the pack of an oat product. Check the latest allergen information too.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by deciding whether you need regular oats, a different format or specifically gluten-free oats. Then compare the ingredients, pack size and preparation instructions of the products that fit your choice.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Simple wholegrain base | Check whether the ingredients list contains wholegrain oats only, and consider separately what you’ll add to your oats. | If I want to choose my own flavours and portions, I look for a base with no other ingredients. For around 38% of consumers, a simple composition comes first. |
| Pack size for your cupboard | Compare pack sizes and choose one that suits how often you eat oats. | If you eat oats regularly, you’ll want to choose a pack that suits your needs. For around 31% of consumers, planning their cupboard supplies is the first consideration. |
| Preparation or protein option | Check the preparation instructions, ingredients and allergens for the specific Express or protein option. | On busy mornings, I want a format that fits my routine, or I’m specifically looking for an option with added protein. For around 23% of consumers, this type of option is a priority. |
| Gluten-free option | Check the gluten-free label, certification and latest allergen information on the pack. | If I’m choosing oats because I have coeliac disease, I can’t rely on the word ‘wholegrain’ alone. For around 8% of consumers, finding a suitable gluten-free option is the first requirement. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all oat products are the same
Regular oats and a high-protein pot may contain different ingredients and allergens. For Pots Protein Naturel, Quaker lists skimmed milk powder and soya protein alongside wholegrain oats.
Compare the ingredients list and nutritional information for the specific option you want to buy. Don’t assume that another Quaker product has the same composition.
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Assuming regular oats are suitable for coeliac disease
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products may be unsuitable for people with coeliac disease because of contact with gluten during processing.
For an oat product, check for the official Crossed Grain symbol and read the allergen information on the current pack.
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Thinking ‘wholegrain’ tells you everything about the meal
The label on your oats doesn’t tell you what you’ll add to your breakfast. An oat bar or sweetened mix is not the same product as regular oats, either.
Assess the product you choose using its ingredients and nutritional information, and consider any breakfast toppings separately.
Brands to consider
These brands offer relevant oat products with a range of ingredients. So compare the specific option, not just the brand name.
Quaker
Offers both regular wholegrain oats and a high-protein portion-sized option.
- Quaker Netherlands lists wholegrain oats as the sole ingredient in Havermout Original.
- According to Quaker Netherlands, Pots Protein Naturel also contains skimmed milk powder and soya protein. Check the allergens for this option separately.
Albert Heijn
Offers, among other options, wholegrain oats explicitly labelled gluten-free.
- Albert Heijn lists gluten-free wholegrain oat flakes as the ingredient in AH Glutenvrij Volkoren havermout.
- Check the pack and the latest allergen information for your chosen option before buying.
Jumbo
Offers a coarse wholegrain oat flakes option if you prefer oats with a more recognisable flake texture.
- Jumbo lists wholegrain oat flakes as an ingredient in Jumbo Havermout Grove Vlokken Volkoren.
- Check the allergen information if you need to avoid certain grains.
Golden Bridge (ALDI)
ALDI offers fine and coarse wholegrain oats under the Golden Bridge brand.
- The choice between fine and coarse oats makes flake texture a clear factor to consider.
- Check the label on your chosen option for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Crownfield (Lidl)
Lidl lists a 500 g organic Crownfield oat product.
- This option is labelled organic and its pack size is specified.
- If they matter to your choice, check the pack for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Oat products on Joybuy
This selection includes regular oats, an organic wholegrain option and Quaker Express products. First choose the type of product that suits your needs, and always check the pack if you have a specific allergen requirement.
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Quaker Oatmeal – 600 g
A good choice if you’re looking for regular oats in a larger pack. If you need gluten-free oats, check the labels on this specific product.
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Quaker Oatmeal – 375 g
If you want regular oats but prefer a smaller pack than the 600 g option, this could be a good fit. Check the pack if allergens or a gluten-free label are important to you.
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Zonnatura organic wholegrain oats – 500 g
A good choice if you’re specifically looking for organic wholegrain oats to keep in your cupboard. The organic label alone doesn’t mean the product is suitable for coeliac disease, so check the pack.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal – 324 g
If you’re considering an Express option instead of regular oats, check how to prepare it and what it contains before choosing it as a replacement for your usual flakes.
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Quaker Oats Express Protein – 302 g
A good choice if you’re looking for an Express option with added soya protein. Joybuy describes this product as wholegrain oats with soya protein. Check the full ingredients and allergen information if you need to avoid soya or gluten-containing grains.
Frequently asked questions
Are regular oats suitable for coeliac disease?
Not automatically. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products may be unsuitable because of contact with gluten during processing. Check the pack for the official Crossed Grain symbol; the word ‘wholegrain’ isn’t enough.
Is allergen information shown on packs of oats?
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that the presence of any allergens that must be declared in pre-packed foods needs to be clearly stated on the label. Read the information on the pack of the specific product, especially if you need to avoid an ingredient or type of grain.
Are high-protein oats automatically vegan or allergen-free?
No. Quaker Netherlands lists skimmed milk powder and soya protein in Pots Protein Naturel, but that doesn’t automatically tell you what’s in another protein option. Always check the ingredients and allergens for the product you choose.
Can you replace bread at breakfast completely with oats?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, you can alternate oats with bread, but they’re not nutritionally identical in every respect. The Centre points out that iodine is added to bread, but not to oats. So consider any replacement as part of your overall diet.