Quaker Oatmeal vs Off-Brand?

[Josh86]

I'm always weary about "off-brand" products because of quality even if they have the same nutritional stats according to the label.

Anyways same thing here...I was looking at Quaker Oatmeal and compared it to the almost a $1 cheaper off brand (Great Values at Wal-Mart) and they both have the same nutritional stats...

Is is really just a case of "brand" name.. or cheaper is not always better?

[Oddball8945]

oats are oats man, no difference

[Neopragmatist]

Actually, store/off-brands sometimes have better ingredients or in other words, they keep it simple and less of processed crap. But I wouldn't worry about it when it comes to oats.

[T.STEEL]

Try the banana bread oatmeal, weight watchers brand. tastes really good, no sugar, high in vitanims, potassium and fiber. Even better for you then regular oatmeal. I will never go back.

[Robxs]

oats are oats man, no difference

I'd agree, basically no difference at all in terms of the product. But a lot of difference in terms of price, at least here in the UK. Sometimes the brand names are almost as much as 3 times as expensive as the value stuff. I think with Quaker oats you're pretty much just paying for packaging, the name, marketing costs, etc.

[TinaBee]

idk I find quaker oats to be less broken up and it makes for a better texture lol but its prob in my head :-P

[seattlems333]

I personally can't stand the taste of regular Quaker oatmeal. I've tried it many times, but something about the taste and texture get to me...On the other hand, I love this brand called Hilltop Hearth. It makes a really nice, smooth, and creamy oatmeal in the microwave (which is what I always use; much quicker and no access to stovetop anyway). IMO, there is a big difference in brands.

[Olympique]

I don't know exactly what to tell you because Wal-Crap sucks, but in general I agree with Neopragmatist and Robxs. Sometimes the store brand stuff is just as good (if not superior). In Florida we are lucky to have a supermarket chain named "Publix" which is based in Lakeland and produces a lot of quality, less processed foods which are cheaper than the popular ones.

[Ibballard]

I always go with the store brand. Most grocery store basic level products are, in fact, produced in the same bins as brand name products, because your average grocery store chain does not have the production facilities for all the various generic products they produce. So they purchase time and product wholesale from the name brands, package it as "generic", and sell it more cheaply, capturing the cheaper market segment and still allowing the name brands to make a small profit by passing their product through the stores.

Cliff: Many off brand products are EXACTLY the same as name brands.

[BNR]

I get the cheapest raw oats I can find