NOW CLOSED Add your chocolate porridge feedback and win a £250 Amazon voucher

[TheOtherHelenMumsnet]

This thread is for all the Mumsnetters that having been trying out Quaker Oat So Simple Kids chocolate flavour porridge with their DCs. Below are some questions for you to answer but please feel free to add any other comments you may have too.

Everyone who adds their feedback will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win £250 of Amazon vouchers.

Questions

1. Overall, what did your DC(s) think of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids Porridge? Did they make any comments about the texture, smell, taste or appearance?

1. What would you say are the main benefits of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids porridge, for you and/or for your DCs? What would be the key reason for you to buy the product?

1. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

1. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw,
MNHQ

Questions

1. Overall, what did your DC(s) think of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids Porridge? Did they make any comments about the texture, smell, taste or appearance?

ds2 opend it for his supper ,as hes non verbal i asked if he wanted some more and he signed yes please .

1. What would you say are the main benefits of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids porridge, for you and/or for your DCs? What would be the key reason for you to buy the product? i like my ds2 to have something warm to eat in a morning

1. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why? ds2 liked the box he was trying to make bear noise ,love the fact that you can meaure milk in them too

1. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s nope ds2 will eat oat hes a dustbin growing boy ,will be buying some more asap thanks mumsnet :)/quaker

1. Overall, what did your DC(s) think of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids Porridge? Did they make any comments about the texture, smell, taste or appearance?

- Tried one spoonful and pronounced it 'too sticky'. When pressed she said it did taste nice but refused to try a second spoon on account of the stickiness... So I ate it, and rather liked it. DP (40) also likes it.

1. What would you say are the main benefits of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids porridge, for you and/or for your DCs? What would be the key reason for you to buy the product?

- Would be a good way of getting something good into her at breakfast if she would go for it. Will persevere with this/porridge in general.

1. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

- DD (3) loved the bear on the box, and I liked it too. Obviously meant to appeal to children, but not in horrible garish colours. No strong feelings on individual sachets either way, on one hand they're quite handy but on the other it's not exactly difficult to tip porridge out of a box/bag and it's a bit of a waste of paper to have all those little sachets.

1. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

- Not really, other than magically making porridge less sticky. She does love cooking and will generally be more open to trying foods she's helped to make, so with her having the flavourings in a different pack to mix in herself might help (something I might try with plain porridge & cocoa powder) but that kind of contradicts my 'individual sachets are a waste of paper' point above...

The postie still hasn't brought me any porridge

Not going to see it now am I?

I am thinking the same FourThousandHoles

do you think we still get our names in the hat for the voucher?!?!

Thanks for all your feedback so far - Quaker would like to respond to some of your points - here's a message from them:

"Dear Mumsnetters,

Thank you all for trying our Quaker Oat So Simple Kids porridge and for taking the time to tell us what you think.

There are a few common points in your feedback that we?d like to address. Mums consistently tell us that they want less sugar in their children?s breakfast so Oat So Simple Kids Chocolate has 50% less sugar than the average branded Chocolate flavoured cereal or porridge. This does mean that it won?t taste as sweet as other Chocolate flavoured cereals which may take a bit of getting used to.

Children have different appetites and taste buds so it?s hard to get the size of the sachets and level of chocolateyness exactly right for everyone. The sachet weight varies across the different flavours as it depends on what ingredients are added and in what quantities. Specifically, the sachet weight of the Chocolate flavour pack is higher compared to other flavours as more Chocolate flavour is added. The ?100% Natural Ingredients? claim on pack refers to ingredients that occur naturally in nature, obtained using traditional food preparation processes.

Thanks again for the feedback. It?s very valuable to us so please keep it coming!

Your Quaker Team"

In answer to the questions.

1.Both DC are used to eating porridge and so were quite used to the texture. DD did complain that it did not look chocolatey enough! This was fine for me as I was not keen on a chocolate breakfast cereal. DD was not keen on taste, DS ate the whole bowl and has finished the box! So big hit for him.

1. Main benefit was that it is very easy to do and measure out the milk. Is also appealing to kids as is chocolate flavour. I would buy as an occasional treat instead of other instant porridge.

1. I liked the packaging, muted colours unlike the bright yellows of cereals such as cocoa pops. Also I like the individual sachets as simple to use.

1. I don't think it needs to be made more interesting for kids as was loved or hated based on the taste of it.

Still no sign of it here. I guess we are a lost cause??

I think the bears got there first!

1. Overall, what did your DC(s) think of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids Porridge? Did they make any comments about the texture, smell, taste or appearance?

My DS (10) tried it twice, he said it didn't taste of chocolate, he wasn't keen on the appearance or the smell, my DD (8) tried it once but wouldn't try it again, she said it tasted horrible and not of chocolate also she said it wasn't sweet enough and didnt like the texture. They both do eat porridge in a morning and both like it.

1. What would you say are the main benefits of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids porridge, for you and/or for your DCs? What would be the key reason for you to buy the product?

We do currently buy oat so simple in different flavours. It's quick to make in a morning before school and I like the fact that the children can choose different flavours each. My DH also takes this with him to work for his breakfast the packets are easy to take. It's healthy and filling. The main reasons I would buy other flavours would be if my DC asked for them and I felt they were a healthy start to the day that they would eat.

1. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

We all liked the packaging it looked very healthy and wholesome.

1. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

I think plain porridge but with sachets of different toppings in each box would be good. I know my DC like to choose different flavours each day and they would love to choose their own topping to add on top or mix in themselves. It would make the box appeal to the whole family as the porridge could be eaten plain or enhanced with the added fruit, chocolate, syrup, nut combination. I think this would really appeal to children in particular fussy eaters who can flavour their own breakfast.

Questions

1. Overall, what did your DC(s) think of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids Porridge? Did they make any comments about the texture, smell, taste or appearance?

Suspicious at first but then pronounced it yummy. It did look rather unappetising I have to say but then porridge isn't pretty! Having said that, he hasn't chosen to eat it since (but he's been at breakfast club at school this week so he hasn't been choosing between it and a boring cereal. On weekends, he is allowed junk cereal so it's not really a fair competition).

1. What would you say are the main benefits of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids porridge, for you and/or for your DCs? What would be the key reason for you to buy the product?

It's easy and quick to make and warm. I find porridge really fills me up so think it would be good for DC to eat it too.

1. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

We liked the bear on the box - he made us laugh. Nothing much to say about the individual sachets.

1. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

Games and activities on the box go down well. As do different pictures on the individual sachets. You could have a surprise random gold packet or something in each box? I expect that chocolate chips would help but that's not really in the spirit of the cereal :o

still no porridge here i take it we arent getting it oh well

1. Overall, what did your DC(s) think of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids Porridge? Did they make any comments about the texture, smell, taste or appearance?

DD mostly pretended to be Abney and/or Teal throughout. She made no comment about smell/texture/taste/appearance, but did eat three spoonfuls.

2. What would you say are the main benefits of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids porridge, for you and/or for your DCs? What would be the key reason for you to buy the product?

Quick to prepare.

3. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

DD loved the packaging, and recognised it from the advert straight away.

4. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

Free plastic crap. DD love free plastic crap.

Hi

I've not read everyones comments, but from what I have read my feedback is similar....

1. Overall, what did your DC(s) think of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids Porridge? Did they make any comments about the texture, smell, taste or appearance?

DD doesn't normally eat porridge, so this was a bit of an experiment (normally has shreddies / cheerios / muesli). She was very excited at the thought of chocolate porridge, and was keen to "help" make it. A 3 year old trying to pour milk in to the sachet is interesting, but we managed. Once it was made, her enthusiasm waned. She was reluctant to try it, saying it was yucky. A bit of enticing from me and DH, and she had half a teaspoonful, and then maintained her 'yucky' stance.
DH tried it too (I don't do milk, so didn't try myself) and said it tasted plasticy / artificial and declined to finish the bowl.

1. What would you say are the main benefits of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids porridge, for you and/or for your DCs? What would be the key reason for you to buy the product?

Given DD didn't eat it, there aren't many benefits! If she had eaten it, I would be please at getting more milk into her as she often has her cereal dry and that's not really an option with porridge.

1. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

The packaging was enticing, but not as much as the though of 'chocolate', which is always a winner! The sachets are fiddly, and not all kids will have the same size appetite. I would prefer some kind of guide that shows porridge to milk ratios for various portion sizes.

1. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

Make it tastier - even if this means increasing the sugar / chocolate content to something on a par with coco pops.

1. Overall, what did your DC(s) think of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids Porridge? Did they make any comments about the texture, smell, taste or appearance?

DS1 age 5 loved the porridge, and ds2 age 3 didnt like it at all.
It comes out too hot and has to stand for a while before I can give it to him and it gets a bit thick and stodgy.
He didnt comment until I asked he didnt think it was very chocolatey and sometimes it was a bit gloopy. it didnt look very chocolatey either.
I tried a couple of spoonfuls and thought it was quite bland and stodgy

1. What would you say are the main benefits of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids porridge, for you and/or for your DCs? What would be the key reason for you to buy the product?

It is probably more filling in a morning but if the other household members don't like it I won't be buying it, price would also be a big factor if I bought it.

1. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

I dislike the fill the sachet with milk idea, its too messy and inaccurate. the bear eyes on the box frightens ds2 age 3. The brown packaging is dull the bear is nice but the colour well I dont the brown havng just seen the advert the other 2 boxes the colour are bright and vivid. The sachets are good all the instructions are clear and you dont need the box a sent a couple of sachets loose in ds1 trunki when he went to stay at grandmas and she was able to make it.

1. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

Better flavour is needed its not chocolatey or sweet and perhaps a game or activity on the box or the sachets.

Far be it from me to pick a fight with a brand I love, but

"The ?100% Natural Ingredients? claim on pack refers to ingredients that occur naturally in nature, obtained using traditional food preparation processes"

is a load of ! Lots of substances occur naturally* in nature that I wouldn't want my dcs to eat in their breakfast cereal: aspirin, arsenic, wormwood, magic mushrooms....and they can all be obtained using "traditional processes".

That isn't the point and is stupendously fatuous and patronising....the point is that I want to be able to choose what my dcs are eating, and I expect the companies from whom I buy any processed foods to provide me with that information.

Otherwise, I don't buy those products.

Ever.

Not even from Quaker Oats.

I'm sorry this is a total rant bit of a grumble, but I hope Quaker Oats can take it in the spirit of constructive consumer feedback, as it is intended and I appreciate I have blown my prize draw chances

Are they ever going to respond with what these ingredients are? I think most of us have inquired now...

Tethersend I told DS I would send the rest of ours to Abney and Teal. We have a running joke going here about how much porridge they eat.

Hello, thank you for letting me try this out!

1. Overall, what did your DC(s) think of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids Porridge? Did they make any comments about the texture, smell, taste or appearance?

DD1 (3.5 years old) would not try it, she looked at it and smelt it but refused to even try a bit, which is really not like her. I thought she'd be all over anything that was chocolate. I couldn't really blame her though, it's not an attractive colour when cooked.
DD2 (14 months) ate it and seemed to quite enjoy it. She didn't finish the entire bowl, but she doesn't normally eat a lot for breakfast.
I ate DD1s and I have to say I didn't like it much either. It has an odd smell (not at all chocolately) and didn't really taste of much, just a bit sweet. The fruity ones we normally buy (e.g. apple & blueberry) have far more taste to them and both DDs enjoy them

2. What would you say are the main benefits of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids porridge, for you and/or for your DCs? What would be the key reason for you to buy the product?

I like the fact that it's portioned out, it's easy to stick in the microwave and it's done (although you do have to do it in advance as it is far too hot when first cooked)

3. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

We all loved the design with the bear, and the eyes on the bottom of the box (although this is copied from Sugar Puffs! :)). The bear is a nice chocolate brown too! v cute, and makes you think what is inside is going to be yummy and chocolatey. Shame it isn't!
Like many others, I HATED the fact that it just says 'natural flavouring' in the ingredients. That is a real bugbear of mine and makes me very suspicious. It's just so patronising, like we shouldn't worry ourselves with what's in it..

4. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

It just needs to be tastier, basically, more cocoa, and perhaps with chocolate chunks in it that melt.
I might have tried the other flavours, such as the blueberry, but now I worry that they will just be bland versions of the adult ones, and will probably stick to the adult versions as we all like them
A banoffee flavour might be nice, with soft toffee and banana chunks.

Still haven't got any porridge
After reading your feedback I'm not too fussed!!

My to DCs were the testers..DS is 4.5 and DD is nearly 3

1. It was quite strange it being oats and chocolate powder, not sure what I was expecting! We didn't like the colour...not a very chocolate colour, taste was very sweet. DS had half a bowl but DD refused! And she is chocolate mad!
2. I like porridge in the mornings and the DDs like Ready Brek, I like the fact it should keep the hunger at bay till lunchtime.
3. We loved the packaging, was it repeated on the sachets? I thought they were pale and uninteresting.
4. Porridge toppings? My two like apricots or sultanas or honey, choc chips? Jam? Coconut?

I would ask for better microwave instructions...a 900 watt microwave for 1min 50 equals a microwave coated in porridge!

Thanks for letting us try though!

Snala I've got 8 packets you can have! :0

:o even!

1. Overall, what did your DC(s) think of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids Porridge? Did they make any comments about the texture, smell, taste or appearance?

My dd's were looking forward to trying the porridge however they didnt like the taste of it and said it was sticky and gloopy.

1. What would you say are the main benefits of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids porridge, for you and/or for your DCs? What would be the key reason for you to buy the product?

In theory, ie if they liked it, i always like them having porridge for breakfast as it is warm, filling and nutritious, even with their usual honey or jam on top!

1. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

I liked the individual sachets and that they can be used to measure out the correct amount of milk. The amount of porridge each sachet made is the perfect amount for my (hungry!) 5 year old.

1. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

It would be great if it actually tasted of chocolate (possibly with choc chips or a little choc sauce) to enhance, rather than the artifical taste it has at the mo.

Even though dd's didnt enjoy the porridge, we all enjoyed having the product to try and taking part in the test. Thank you!,

DS (19 mo) seemed to like it and ate it as much as he would "normal" porridge.
I would have been persuaded to buy it regularly if he had eaten more than
his usual breakfast as he can be quite fussy but as it is I would probably only buy it for a change.