Parents with busy mornings
If you have little time to make breakfast, a quick-to-prepare portion could be just the thing. If you can get something ready the night before, overnight oats made with porridge oats are another option.
Who are these options for?
Parents who like to put their own breakfast together
With plain wholegrain porridge oats, you can choose your own portion size and what to add. Check the ingredients list if you’re looking for a base with no added sugar or salt.
Households affected by coeliac disease
Regular oats are not a safe default choice for people with coeliac disease. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises choosing only oats bearing the official Crossed Grain symbol. Check the latest allergen information on the packaging too.
What should you look for when choosing?
Decide whether saving time or putting your own breakfast together matters most. If coeliac disease is a consideration, check that the oats are suitable first.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation time | Read the preparation instructions and check whether you can prepare the oats in advance. | I want to make breakfast before the morning gets busy, or enjoy a warm bowl without much preparation. Preparation time is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Check the ingredients list and look for information about added sugar and salt. | If I put my own breakfast together, I want to know what’s already in the porridge oats. Ingredients are the deciding factor for around 45% of consumers. |
| Suitability for a gluten-free diet | If you have coeliac disease, check for the official Crossed Grain symbol and read the allergen information on the packaging. | If someone in my household has coeliac disease, I need to be able to check which oats are suitable. For around 22% of consumers, gluten-free suitability is the first thing they look for when buying. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all oats are suitable for coeliac disease
Oat products can be contaminated with gluten. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre therefore warns that a product labelled ‘oats’ is not automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease.
Look for the official Crossed Grain symbol and check the latest allergen information on the packaging.
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Relying on the word ‘wholegrain’ alone
Even with a wholegrain product, the other ingredients and anything you add yourself affect what goes into your breakfast.
Compare the ingredients lists and nutritional information for the options you’re considering rather than only reading the front of the pack.
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Giving your baby the same porridge without checking
A breakfast product for adults may contain added salt or sugar. There are also other things to consider when preparing porridge for a baby.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises choosing baby porridge with no added sugar or salt. Don’t use regular milk as a base for a baby under 1 year old, and follow the age-specific feeding advice.
Brands to consider
Quaker
Quaker offers regular porridge oats as well as its separate Oats Express range.
- Quaker says its Havermout Original is made from 100% wholegrain cereals. The brand describes Oats Express as 100% wholegrain and ready in 2 minutes.
- Check the ingredients, portion size and preparation instructions for each option. The preparation time is stated by Quaker.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers fine wholegrain porridge oats and a separate gluten-free wholegrain option.
- According to the product page, AH Volkoren havermout fijne vlokken contains wholegrain oat flakes as an ingredient, with 0 g of added sugars and 0 g of added salt per 100 g.
- Don’t treat the regular and gluten-free options as interchangeable. Albert Heijn advises checking the current packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers, among other options, wholegrain porridge oats with jumbo flakes.
- The product page for Jumbo Havermout Grove Vlokken Volkoren lists wholegrain oat flakes as its only ingredient.
- Check the specific option if you’re looking for fine flakes or a different composition.
Brinta
Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt is a wheat-based breakfast porridge, not porridge oats.
- The ingredients listed by Albert Heijn are wholemeal wheat flour and salt.
- This product isn’t suitable if you’re specifically looking for oats or need to avoid wheat.
Lidl (Crownfield)
Crownfield Biologisch havermout is a porridge oat option available at Lidl.
- The option mentioned comes in a 500 g pack.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the label in store before deciding whether this option suits your needs.
Porridge oat products on Joybuy
These products suit two ways of choosing your own breakfast: an Express option for a quick morning routine, and a porridge oat option you can customise yourself. If gluten-free suitability matters, check the label on both.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
An option to consider if you want an Express product for busy mornings. The pack contains 324 g; check the preparation instructions and portion size. The product information lists gluten, so don’t treat this as a gluten-free option.
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Zonnatura Organic Whole Wheat Oatmeal 500 g
An option to consider if you want to choose your own portion size and what to add to your porridge oats. The pack contains 500 g; check the ingredients and preparation instructions on the label. The product information lists gluten, so don’t treat this as a gluten-free option.
Frequently asked questions
Are regular porridge oats suitable for coeliac disease?
No, don’t assume they are. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says oat products can be contaminated with gluten. If you have coeliac disease, choose only oats bearing the official Crossed Grain symbol and check the allergen information on the packaging.
Do you need special porridge oats while breastfeeding?
No, you don’t need a special type of porridge oats because you’re breastfeeding. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises eating a varied diet while breastfeeding. Choose porridge oats based on the ingredients and your own dietary needs.
Can I give my baby the same porridge oats I eat?
First, check that the porridge and how it’s prepared are suitable for your baby’s age. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises choosing an option with no added sugar or salt and recommends against using regular milk as a base for babies under 1 year old.