Parents who buy bread for breakfast every day
If you regularly buy bread for a toddler, you’ll want to choose an affordable everyday loaf without comparing different types and sizes directly.
Who is this choice important for?
Parents looking for a suitable texture
A toddler may prefer a finer-textured or softer loaf to a coarser one. Voedingscentrum includes wholemeal bread as part of the diet for toddlers and young children; which bread a child will eat varies from one child to another.
Smaller households looking to use up their bread
If a whole loaf takes a while to eat, a half loaf or portions from the freezer may be more practical than a large loaf with a lower price per kilo.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide which wholemeal option your toddler will eat and how much bread your household gets through. Then compare the size and price per kilo of similar loaves.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday cost | Compare the price per kilo of the same type of bread, and check whether an offer is temporary. | If I buy bread for breakfast often, I want to compare everyday costs without the pack size distorting the price. Around 42% of consumers give this cost comparison top priority. |
| Type of bread | Look for the wholemeal label and check the ingredients; don’t judge by a dark colour alone. | For everyday breakfasts, I want to choose a wholemeal option my toddler will eat too. This comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Size and food waste | Choose a whole or half loaf to suit how much you get through, and read the storage advice on the packaging. | If bread takes a while to get through in our household, I’d rather buy a suitable size than throw leftovers away. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Comparing the unit price of different loaf sizes
A half loaf, a whole loaf and a pack of rolls don’t contain the same amount. So the lowest price per item tells you little about the cost per kilo.
First compare the same type of bread, then look at the weight, price per kilo and how much you expect to use.
A whole loaf that doesn’t get eaten still leads to food waste.
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Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal
The colour or a description such as multigrain doesn’t, on its own, tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal.
Look for the wholemeal label and read the ingredients on the current packaging.
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Relying on outdated allergen information
Albert Heijn and PLUS warn that ingredient and allergen information may change. This matters if your child takes bread to a nursery or school with its own allergy policy.
Check the packaging before use and, if there are strict rules, confirm them with the nursery or school concerned.
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Treating an offer as the usual price
An offer may not apply to your next purchase. Lidl and Dirk advertise bread deals with time-limited terms.
Check the offer period and, for your regular shopping, compare the price outside the promotion too.
Brands to compare
These shops offer useful ways to compare types and sizes of bread; their ranges don’t indicate which option will be most affordable for every household.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists wholemeal loaves online, including own-brand options.
- Product pages make it easier to compare bread types and sizes.
- Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change; check the current packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists several whole and half wholemeal loaves from its own-brand range.
- The price per kilo is shown for several options, making it possible to compare sizes.
- Compare the type and weight of the bread before judging a difference in the price per loaf.
Lidl
Lidl offers freshly baked bread as part of its in-store range.
- You can check the size and type of bread in store.
- An advertised offer may be temporary; check the price that applies to your purchase.
ALDI
ALDI describes a range of freshly baked bread that includes wholemeal options.
- There are different types of bread to compare by label and packaging.
- Check any nutritional claim against the specific product; don’t assume it applies to other dark breads.
PLUS
PLUS lists wholemeal bread and smaller bread options online, including wholemeal rolls.
- The different shapes and sizes give you a starting point for comparing quantities.
- PLUS warns that product and allergen information may change; check the packaging.
Dirk
Dirk lists, among other options, whole and half wholemeal loaves from Bakker van der Akker.
- The whole and half loaves make it easier to find a size that suits how much you use.
- Keep regular prices and temporary offers separate when comparing.
Bread options on Joybuy
These wholemeal breads include two sizes of a round loaf and a Lebanese flatbread. Compare their pack sizes, preparation instructions and current prices per kilo with what your household uses.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal loaf 550 g
This loaf may suit you if you want to use one wholemeal loaf at a time and have time to prepare it before breakfast.
Round loaf, 550 g. It needs to be defrosted and baked in the oven before use; follow the instructions on the packaging.
If your child has allergies, check the current packaging and, if the bread is going with them, the nursery or school’s policy.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal loaf 2 × 550 g
This pack may suit a household that uses two loaves or has room to store bread.
Two round loaves, each weighing 550 g. Defrost and bake the bread before use, following the instructions on the packaging.
Check that both loaves will be used in time and, if your child has allergies, check the current packaging.
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Souq Lebanese wholemeal flatbread 6 P
This flatbread is an option if you’re considering a different type of bread from a sliced loaf for breakfast.
The pack is labelled 6 P. Check whether the shape and texture suit what your toddler eats.
If your child has allergies, read the current packaging and, if necessary, check the nursery or school’s policy.
Frequently asked questions
Roughly how much bread does a child aged 1 to 3 eat?
Voedingscentrum recommends around 2 to 3 slices of bread a day, usually split between breakfast and lunch. This isn’t an amount every child has to finish.
Should a toddler always eat wholemeal bread?
Wholemeal bread is a suitable option for an everyday meal: Voedingscentrum includes it in its guidance on nutrition for toddlers and young children. Choose an option your child will eat and check the packaging to see what type of bread you’re buying.
Does every loaf contain iodine?
Don’t assume that every loaf contains iodine. If you want to know about a specific loaf, check the current product information or ask the manufacturer.
How do I check allergens if my child takes bread to nursery?
Read the current packaging and follow the nursery or school’s policy. Albert Heijn and PLUS state that product ingredients and allergen information may change.
Can I include an offer in my regular breakfast budget?
Only count an offer for purchases made during its validity period. For your usual budget, also compare the weight and price outside the promotion; Lidl and Dirk advertise temporary bread offers.