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[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

DD made her own today and it went well. Bit runny though. I think the amount of milk that is recommended is too much. Could do with being more oaty too.

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?

Both myself and my daughter (15) both like the smell but it looks like baby food (my daughter said it looked like baby sick!)

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?

no reason to buy it, my husband also tried it, even our cat who likes a bit of cereal every now and then turned his nose up at it!

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

The packaging is obviously aimed at younger kids so not really appropriate for us. My daughter liked the sachets. I have never bought sachets of porridge like this so it was a new concept to her!

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

my daughter suggests some fruit options

I have only ever had proper porridge once when I was about 10 and ever since then have have Ready Brek/shop own brand of Ready Brek and it is quite different but I wanted to try this to see if my taste buds had changed and to try and encourage my daughter to have something other than toast for breakfast.

Thanks for letting us try it out even though it wasn't successful!

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?

Overall it was not a great success. It started off well. When I put it into the bowl the amount of chocolate didn't seem too much. When it came out of the microwave it looked like sludge. It smelled like chocolate but my daughter wouldn't eat it saying it tasted horrible. I tasted it and it was ok but it reminded me of the cheap cooking chocolate you use in baking.

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 already buy the Oats so Simple golden syrup and she eats that everyday.
She loves it. For me it's really easy to prepare and quick. I'm sure most mums are pressed for time getting out of the door in the morning and it's great to know she has something warm in her tummy before she goes to nursery, especially in this weather. I know that porridge is low GI and it keeps you filled for longer. I would rather she ate porridge than other sugary cereals as a healthier option.

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

The packaging was fine but I am not sure why it is aimed at children - is that because chocolate porridge wouldn't really appeal to adults? If you are going to aim certain products at children, I would like to see smaller sachets, half the portion of the existing ones, as I find half a sachet is sufficient for a 3 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)?

As some of the others have said, fruit would be nice, as would granola. I guess you could do ready made to be warmed up in the microwave with a pot of jam (a bit like Mueller corners?) Honey would be nice too.

Thanks for giving me the option to try this product. I'll keep my eyes peeled for new porridge ideas inspired by this thread

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?

DS (6 years old) "The texture was a bit nice but not much". "It smells lovely and I thought it would be lovely to eat". "It wasn't chocolatly enough". "It didn't look chocolaty enough"

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 would like him to eat porridge as it it is healthy and a good breakfast and the porridge is appealing in the box for children. It's unfortunate that he won't eat it however.

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

DS "I liked Baby Bear licking his porridge because it looks funny and cute". I thought that the packaging was very appealing.

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

DS - "Make it more lovely and make the texture nicer" Me - it needs to be more chocolately for children to like it IMO.

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 (6) Didn't seem put off by the look of it, the smell was quite nice, milky and porridgey. He put it in his mouth and then my gosh did his expression change! He said it wasn't very nice, too lumpy and couldn't work out what it tasted like (not chocolate)
DS2 (2) Cried. Not so much testing there then.

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 would be buying it to get a hot cereal into the boys before school/pre school on cold days. Like the idea of them having the energy from oats which would hopefully fill them up more and avoid the constant requests for food!
Also like that there isn't too much in the way of ingredients

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

I'm not sure that the packaging appeals to either of my children, I like it as it's a bit less loud and tacky than most aimed at them. They, obviously, are attracted to hideous bright colours and cartoon characters.

I like the sachets, although it does mean you can't really vary the portion size. Also, to avoid the boiling hot porridge problem I only part filled the sachet with milk to heat, and then added cold milk to the bowl afterwards.

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

I think for it to taste like chocolate, it would be better if there were chocolate chips in it. So they can see it as well as taste it. Rather than the powdery stuff which to me just tasted like sweetener as it dilutes down.

Thanks for sending us this to test (finally :o ) - shame we didn't really like it!

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 age 5 and DS age 3 were both excited to try the porridge and both cleaned their bowls, DS said that it was "yummy" and seemed to really enjoy it, but DD commented that she prefers plain porridge and that it was a bit too sweet. We cooked the porridge on the hob as we don't own a microwave and I used slightly less milk than suggested on the packaging which resulted in a lovely thick pudding-like consistency.

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?

It is a variation on plain porridge, which I like the DCs to eat for breakfast as it seems to fill them up for longer and which they do seem to get bored with. This would probably be the key reason I would buy this product although I don't think this is something I would give the DCs every day as it is so sweet. I would consider trying the other flavours in the range.

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

The Dcs loved the packaging, we tend to call porridge "bear porridge" in our house anyway so the picture immediately started DS talking about Goldilocks and the three bears. I love the idea of the picture of the bear on the bottom of the box, it looks quite effective peering over the shelf in my kitchen cupboard! The individual sachets are quite handy as they are portable so would be great for camping trips. I do think that the the portion size is probably a little big for my DCs though. Although the idea of using the sachet to measure the milk is a good one, I did find this a little tricky. As mentioned before, I used less milk than stated to make a thicker porridge.

4. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DCs

Maybe collectible tokens on the box to save for a cuddly bear?

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 disliked it instantly even after having added more sugar to flavour it! His main gripe was that it did not taste like chocolate at all, I myself then tasted it and I would have to agree with him, it was fairly bland.

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 love porridge and eat it daily and I believe that it offers many health benefits with regard to GI, sugar and fiber content. With this in mind I would dearly love my dcs to get the benefits of eating porridge, even if it does have chocolate in it!

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

My dd has eaten a golden syrup flavour porridge regularly for some years so we are used to the packaging format. However the amount of milk suggested by the packaging is way to much for my dcs.

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 deffinately have to have a more chocolaty flavour.

1.My sons like porridge and chocolate cereals and both enjoyed this. My eldest who is 10 thought it was a little sweet but the youngest who is 6 loved it.

2.It is a good way to start the day with a warm breakfast inside them, although I did have to make it about 15 minutes before they ate it as it was too hot to eat straight away.

1. The individual sachets are a good idea as you only use a portion each time. Pouring the milk into the sachet was easier than I thought as initially I didn't think the sachet would hold the milk.

1. I can't think of any way to make the porridge more interesting but perhaps an offer by collecting tokens to get a book or game or even a competition may be a good idea.

1. 'Do I have to eat it?' then 'not bad' 'gooey, tasty and chocolatey'
2. It's a lot faster than making porridge from scratch. I would buy it if going self catering.
3. We all liked the bears!
4. Why not make a multi-pack of flavours. fruity ones would be nice, or maybe honey and nuts. I got a lovely porridge spoon on the side of a pack of oats a while ago and use it all the time. We love freebies and collectables! Maybe vouchers for books?

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?

Overall my DS (5) and DD (2) didn't like the product at all! They did make comments - my DS said it smelt 'disgusting' before it was put in the mirowave, but afterwards thought it smelt better. He did happily sit down to try it, thinking it would taste like choolate, but after just one spoonful refused to eat any more, simply saying he didn't like it and could he have some water to wash the taste away. DD wouldn't even try it, despite being s fan of normal porridge.

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?

To be honest, I can't see any benefit at all. The sachet things are a bit fusy and a waste of packaging, the product wasn't nice to eat either. I tried it and didn't like either the taste or texture. I wouldn't buy it.

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

My DS liked the individual sachets because they are so different to his usual breakfast cereals. I on the other hand thought they were fussy and difficult to use with a 6 pint milk bottle!

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 and texture!

We were disappointed with the product and will not be buying it, nor would I recomment it to anyone else. And, the actual product just looked like usual porridge oats with a spoon full of cocoa powder added, which is something I could recreate at home for a lot less money. But it did get me thinking about how to make chocolate porridge, and I might try swirling in a spoonful of nutella!

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 daughter didn't comment on the appearance, however she did say that it didn't smell nice. I was underwhelmed by the appearance, was thinking more of a chocolate milk colour than the beige it turned out to be. DD ate a half bowl, usual for her as she's only 2, I was very happy with the generous portion sizes. She is used to plain porridge so I think anything that was slightly different was always going to be a hit. I found the porridge terrible, non-chocolatey, VERY artifically sweet and generally bland apart from the sweetness. I had to add a small amount of plain Quaker oats as it lacked substance and needed 'thickening' , maybe I measured the milk wrong.

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?

As another poster had pointed out, the amount of sugar is similar to other cereals that I am not keen on DD having. For this reason, I will probably continue to give plain porridge and maybe save a product like this for weekends/treats. I would still continue to buy the plain Quaker oats as I find the sachets and portion sizes very convenient.

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

As I have said, I love the handiness of the sachets and DD liked having 'Bear breakfast'.

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

Maybe a little more chocolate powder, however, then the sugar may increase but if it was a product eaten sparingly and not daily, I would be ok with this.

All in all, we enjoyed testing the product. We still have a few sachets left but I'm sure DD will polish those off

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?

DS didn't like it, chocolate tasty powdery (he thought we should take it all out and make a nice mug of hot chocolate)

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 think the main benefit is slow release energy - fuller for longer.

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

Packaging was very enticing, would probably have tried the product at some point.

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

Keep the packaging idea, cut out the choclate and advertise more about the benefit of healthy eating - my DS loves the idea of healthy eating!

Thanks for including me in your trial, even though DS didn't like the product this time.

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?

"Oooh yummy - chocolate!" was the reaction when I told DD what we were having... on sight of the bowl - "yuck"! I managed to bribe her to try a bit, and she polished off the whole bowlful and asked for more. She liked it well enough - I found it a bit chemically tasting but it was edible, not my first chice though and as mentioned upthread I'm not that happy about giving chocolate to my DD in the morning (or at all - but that's another story!)

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?

Normally, porridge is the number 1 choice for b'fast in our house - it's quick, tasty, and DD loves it. However I'd hesitate to buy this - just cos its chocolate.

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

Handy measuring line in the packet, although if you wait even a few secs before pouring it in the packet feels like it might disintegrate...

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

Games on the box perhaps? Although DD never really saw the box - she was to interested in filling her cheeks with porridge!

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 was very excited to be trying chocolate porridge but was not very impressed with the actual product. she only ate 4 spoons then declared it was like mud and refused to eat anymore (she then asked for her usual weetabix). I then shared out the sachets amongst my friends, all the younger children (under 3) wolfed it down but the older ones did not enjoy it.

strangely dd has enjoyed some of my standard oat so simple after this trial.

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?

less sugar, natural flavouring, low salt, slow release energy. it was nice to be able to provide a quick and easy to prepare hot breakfast as there normally isn't time in the morning.

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

dd liked the picture of the bear on the box but asked where mummy & baby bear were! I like the convenience of pre-measured sachets and easy to measure milk portion.

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

maybe games on the box or magnets or stickers to collect

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?

They were very excited - they enjoy porridge and chocolate - but disliked the flavour.

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 convenient and quick, and I like to give porridge for breakfast.

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

Individual sachets feel a bit wasteful, but they are convenient, esp. for holidays.

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 they would rather like more sugar. Not quite an ideal solution.

I wanted to add to my post above. I'm actually finishing off the box as I am too skint to buy my own at the moment instead of buying more adult OSS that I have every day anyway as I'm on Weight Watchers. It makes a very nice breakfast made with water and banana cooked into it and then plain greek yogurt and raspberries stirred in after cooking. Probably not quite what the product is aiming towards but I like it how I am making it at the moment!

Adding on to my other feedback - DS keeps asking for it and usually finishes 2/3 of the bowl (typical amount for him to eat). I'll finish off this box and I'll even buy more... If Quaker Oats can please tell me what exactly the Ingredients are and exactly how much sugar is in it?
I put Nutella in my normal plain porridge the other day just because I'd never thought of choc porridge prior to this, and it was yummy :)

1. Overall, DS1 liked it but decided it tasted of marshmallow flavour which he likes anyway so all good there. Ds2 sniffed it and asked for chocolate weetos instead. I offered to sprinkle them in the porridge but I ended up eating his instead. I have to say it wasn't truly chocolatey. We gave some sachets to my SIL and apparently her dc love it so it is now a fixture on her shopping list.

2. main benefits of Quaker Oat So Simple kids porridge, ease/speed of preparation (ds1 can make it himself) and in winter I prefer dc to have a hot/warm breakfast on the colder days, particularly if they are not having a hot lunch that day.

3. dc liked the bear on the box but not enough to entice ds2 to eat the product but he is MR FUSSY re food anyway.

4. The measuring the milk in the empty sachet is a bit pants really as it depends on how tightly you hold the sachet as to how much milk it holds. I haven't time to be trying to thicken runny porridge in the morning. To speed up the cooling down process I hold back a bit of the milk and make the porridge with slightly less then add the remaining bit (cold) to achieve the right consistency and cool it down quicker. As ds1 makes his own porridge he prefers to use a small plastic measuring cup thingy (up to max of 200ml only). If Quaker Oats offered a freebie branded plastic measuring cup with a big childfriendly visible fill line on this would be good. Perhaps you could get one in exchange for sending off a few box tokens or something. Or there could be a trial pack with only 6 sachets and a plastic measuring cup.

Was neither disappointed nor thrilled with the product but we will end up buying more of it as ds1 has decided (after 5 or 6 sachets) that overall he thinks it is nice because it tastes marshmallowy.

Oops, forgot my manners,

Thanks for letting us test it.

bit gutted, mine never turned up. DD1 has been looking forward to it, too.

Ours never turned up either!

1.DTS1 loves porridge, but said that this was a but mushy, and didn't taste very chocolatey, and didn't want to have it a second time. DD ate it for a couple of days, but again went back to weetabix after that. These are children who'll do anything for chocolate, too!

1. Convenience would be the only reason I would buy this, but I wouldn't buy this flavour again.

1. The Dcs loved the graphics on the box, and liked the idea of the individual sachets, but I was disappointed with the suggestion of using the sachets to measure out the milk as it went everywhere, and was NOT the right amount. The porridge was very runny with 180ml, and I ended up cutting down the amount of milk, which was only possible by measuring it with a jug.

1. Maybe something to sprinkle on the porridge, like nuts or fruit.

Ours never turned up. Very disappointing.