Breakfast lovers short on time
A pre-measured portion saves you measuring it out. Albert Heijn states that Quaker Oats Express Naturel takes 2 minutes to prepare in the microwave or in a pan.
Which type of oats suits you?
Fans of choosing their own toppings and texture
Loose oats let you choose your own portion size and extras. Fine flakes make a softer porridge, while coarse flakes are an option if you prefer more bite.
Shoppers who need gluten-free options
If you have coeliac disease, the words ‘oats’ or ‘wholegrain’ aren’t enough. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises checking for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the pack.
What should you look for?
First, decide how much preparation time you have and what texture you prefer for breakfast. Then compare the ingredients. If you have coeliac disease, the information on the current pack is what matters.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and portions | Check the preparation time, method and number of portions. | If I need breakfast to be ready quickly, I want to spend as little time as possible measuring and preparing. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this combination. |
| Texture and toppings | Choose fine or coarse flakes and check whether the product suits the way you plan to prepare it, hot or cold. | I want to add my own toppings and choose how much bite my oats have; around 31% of consumers give this freedom top priority. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the ingredients list and compare fibre, sugars and salt per 100 g. | If I’m putting my own bowl together, I want to know what’s already in the oats before adding anything. This is the main consideration for around 23% of consumers. |
| Gluten-free suitability | If you have coeliac disease, check for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the current pack. | If I need to eat gluten-free because of coeliac disease, I need to know that this particular oat product is suitable. Around 15% of consumers prioritise this check. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming wholegrain oats are gluten-free
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ordinary oat products may be unsuitable for people with coeliac disease because of contact with gluten, even though oats themselves are naturally gluten-free.
If you have coeliac disease, check for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the current pack.
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Comparing only the dry oats
The liquid and toppings you add are part of the finished bowl. Nutritional information for dry oats doesn’t cover how you prepare them.
Check both the oat label and the ingredients you use yourself.
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Confusing Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt with Brinta Havermout
Jumbo lists wholemeal wheat flour and salt as ingredients in Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt. Brinta Havermout is a different product, made with oat flakes.
Check the full product name and ingredients list if you’re specifically looking for oats.
Brands to consider
Quaker
Offers both loose oats and Oats Express portions.
- Jumbo lists 100% wholegrain oats as the ingredient in Quaker Havermout 600 g. Albert Heijn states that Quaker Oats Express Naturel takes 2 minutes to prepare.
- Check the allergens and possible traces for each variety; a wholegrain label doesn’t confirm that a product is gluten-free.
Brinta
The name appears on various grain products, including oats and a separate wheat-based breakfast cereal.
- Albert Heijn describes Brinta Havermout as extra-fine oat flakes for quick preparation.
- According to Jumbo, Brinta Volkoren graanontbijt contains wholemeal wheat flour and salt; if you’re looking for oats, don’t choose by brand name alone.
Albert Heijn
Its own-brand range includes coarse wholegrain oat flakes and separate gluten-free oat products.
- Albert Heijn also provides cold preparation instructions for its coarse wholegrain oat flakes.
- A standard wholegrain variety isn’t automatically the gluten-free option; check the pack of the product you choose.
Jumbo
Its own-brand range includes fine and coarse wholegrain oat varieties.
- Jumbo lists wholegrain oat flakes as the ingredient in Jumbo Havermout Grove Vlokken Volkoren.
- If you have dietary restrictions, check the allergen information on the pack you choose.
Golden Bridge
ALDI lists fine and coarse wholegrain oats under this own-brand name.
- The fine and coarse varieties give you a choice of flake size.
- Check the label of the variety you’re buying for ingredients and allergens.
Oat products on Joybuy
These products suit a quick oat breakfast or loose fine flakes that you prepare yourself. The Protein variety has a different composition from an oat product with oats as its only ingredient.
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Quaker Express Oatmeal 324 g
An option if you’re after a quick oat breakfast. Joybuy states that Quaker Express Havermout 324 g takes 2 minutes to prepare. If you have an allergy or coeliac disease, check the information on the current pack.
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Brinta Havermout 450 g
An option if you want to choose your own portion size and toppings. Joybuy describes these oats as extra-fine oat flakes for quick preparation. If you have dietary restrictions, check the current pack.
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Quaker Oats Express Protein 302 g
Another Express variety for anyone looking for a quick breakfast. According to the product information, this variety also contains soya protein and soya lecithin, so oats aren’t its only ingredient. If you have allergies or coeliac disease, check the current pack.
Frequently asked questions
Are oats always wholegrain?
Oats are made from oat grains and, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, are a wholegrain cereal product. Even so, check the ingredients list for instant varieties: a blended product may contain other ingredients too.
What’s the difference between instant portions and coarse oat flakes?
An instant portion is pre-measured and designed for quick preparation; Albert Heijn states that Quaker Oats Express Naturel takes 2 minutes. Coarse flakes have more bite and, depending on the product, can be prepared hot or cold. Check the preparation instructions if time is a priority for you.
Are regular oats suitable for people with coeliac disease?
Don’t assume they are. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oat products may have come into contact with gluten, so check for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the pack of the product you choose.