If you’re short on time at breakfast
If you want to make a hot bowl of porridge before getting ready for a barbecue, check the cooking time for the variety you choose. Albert Heijn describes Brinta’s extra-fine oat flakes as quick to prepare.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you want to choose your own toppings
When a product lists wholegrain oat flakes as its only ingredient, you can decide for yourself what to add to your breakfast. Jumbo lists one ingredient in its fine wholegrain oat flakes: wholegrain oat flakes. Also compare the nutritional information per 100 g.
If you need gluten-free oats
A standard wholegrain label isn’t enough for this. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can become contaminated with gluten during processing. Look for an explicit gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and check the product packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the ingredients list. Then let the cooking time or any essential allergen requirements guide you towards the variety that suits your breakfast.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain base and fibre | Read the ingredients and compare the fibre per 100 g if it matters to your choice. | If I want to choose my own toppings, I look for a clearly stated wholegrain base and compare the nutritional information. Roughly 50% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Preparation and product type | Check whether the oats are fine or coarse, and follow the cooking time on the packaging. | Before getting ready for a barbecue, I want to know how long breakfast will take. Around 30% of consumers prioritise quick preparation. |
| Gluten-free labelling and allergens | If needed, look for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read the allergen information. | If I need gluten-free oats, that requirement comes before my preference for fine oats or organic origins. This is the most important consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming wholegrain oats are automatically gluten-free
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can become contaminated with gluten during processing. So ‘wholegrain’ doesn’t tell you whether a porridge oat product meets your gluten-free needs.
Check the packaging for an explicit gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read the allergen information too.
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Judging a product by the front of the pack alone
Products containing wholegrain oats can have different ingredients and nutritional values. For example, Albert Heijn’s wholegrain porridge oats with protein also contain soya protein, linseed and sunflower seeds, as well as oat flakes.
Read the ingredients list if you’re looking for a base without these additions, and compare nutritional values on a like-for-like basis, such as per 100 g.
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Looking only at the oats
Milk, yoghurt, plant-based drinks and toppings all contribute to your finished breakfast. Choosing a wholegrain base alone doesn’t tell you the nutritional value of the prepared bowl.
Decide what you want to add, and check the nutritional information for those ingredients too, if needed.
Brands to consider
Brinta
Albert Heijn describes Brinta Porridge Oats as extra-fine oat flakes that cook quickly.
- The stated product type may be useful if you have little time for breakfast before a barbecue.
- The product information mentions possible traces of wheat and rye; fine oats are not necessarily suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Quaker
Quaker Netherlands describes its Original Porridge Oats as 100% wholegrain.
- The brand’s website states that this variety contains 9 g of fibre per 100 g.
- According to the brand’s website, the product may contain barley and wheat. Check the label if allergens are important to your choice.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers fine wholegrain oat flakes, as well as a separate organic wholegrain variety.
- The fine variety lists wholegrain oat flakes as its only ingredient; the organic variety is described as organic wholegrain oats.
- Organic origins don’t mean a product is gluten-free. Check the allergen information for the specific variety.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers a separate gluten-free wholegrain porridge oats variety.
- The product page describes this variety as being made in a completely gluten-free environment.
- Before use, check the label, ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.
Golden Bridge / ALDI
ALDI lists Golden Bridge fine wholegrain porridge oats in a 500 g pack.
- The fine oat flakes and pack size are useful points to compare in store.
- Read the ingredients, nutritional information and allergen details on the pack before comparing this variety with other products.
Lidl
Lidl lists coarse porridge oats in a 500 g pack.
- The coarse texture sets this product apart from fine oat flakes.
- Compare the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
Porridge oats at Joybuy
These porridge oat products are suitable for breakfast on a barbecue day. Check each product’s packaging for details of the product type, preparation and allergens.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
An oat option to consider if you’re planning breakfast on a busy barbecue day. Check the packaging for the exact product type and preparation instructions.
Pack size: 324 g. Check the latest allergen information if gluten or possible traces are important to your choice.
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Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal 500 g
An option to consider if organic origins matter to you. Check the ingredients and organic label on the packaging before choosing.
Pack size: 500 g. If you’re short on time, check the preparation instructions too, and read the allergen information if needed.
Frequently asked questions
Are regular porridge oats a wholegrain product?
Yes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes porridge oats as a wholegrain cereal made from cut and rolled oat kernels. For products with added ingredients, check the ingredients list to see what else they contain.
Which porridge oats should I choose if I’m short on time before a barbecue?
Choose a variety whose packaging gives clear, quick preparation instructions. For Brinta’s extra-fine oat flakes, Albert Heijn recommends two minutes in the microwave at 900 watts, or bringing them to the boil and simmering gently for one more minute. For other products, follow their own preparation instructions.
Are regular oats suitable if I need to eat gluten-free?
Don’t assume they are. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can become contaminated with gluten during processing. For porridge oats, check for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read the allergen information on the packaging.
How should I store porridge oats once opened?
Keep the oats dry and seal the packaging tightly. Jumbo gives this advice for its fine wholegrain variety; also follow the storage instructions for the product you buy.