Parents of fussy bread eaters
If your child mainly wants soft white bread, brown bread can be a stepping stone to trying a different type. See whether your child likes the taste and texture before making it a regular snack.
Who is this choice for?
Families with a regular bread snack
If you offer bread as a regular snack, the bread description and nutritional information can help you tell white, brown and wholemeal bread apart. To find out whether the bread is made with bakers’ salt, check the ingredients or ask the baker.
Parents packing bread for school or after-school care
When your child will be eating bread away from home, it’s important to consider not only their preferences but also the current allergen information and any rules set by their school, after-school club or activity.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, choose the bread description that suits your needs. Then see whether your child will eat it, and check the label and the location’s rules before packing it.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and type of bread | Read the description — white, brown or wholemeal — and, if needed, compare the fibre per 100 g on the label. | If I regularly give my child bread as a snack, I want to know what type I’m choosing and how much fibre it contains. This is the main consideration for around 36% of consumers. |
| Taste and texture | If you’re switching from white bread, try a small amount of brown or finely milled wholemeal bread and see whether your child eats it. | If my child leaves a new type of bread uneaten, it’s not much use as a regular snack. Whether the bread will actually be eaten comes first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Allergens and rules at the location | Read the current allergen label and ask about the rules at the school, after-school club or activity before packing the bread. | If I’m packing bread, I first want to know whether the ingredients are suitable for my child and comply with the location’s rules. This is a primary requirement for around 21% of consumers. |
| Quantity and storage | Compare whole and half loaves, and follow the storage instructions for the product you choose. | If my child still needs to try a type of bread, I don’t want to buy more than we can use. A suitable size and practical storage matter most to around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal
The colour, seeds and the word ‘multigrain’ don’t tell you whether bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, that is what determines whether bread can be described as wholemeal.
If the type of bread is the reason for your choice, look for the description — white, brown or wholemeal — on the packaging or shelf label.
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Relying on an allergen list you checked previously
A product’s ingredients can change. If your child has a relevant allergy or other dietary restriction, a picture or product page you looked at previously is no substitute for checking the current label.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for your chosen bread every time you buy it. Also ask about the rules where it will be eaten.
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Buying a whole loaf of a new type straight away
If your child doesn’t like the new taste or texture, you could end up with bread left over.
Where possible, try a half loaf first. If you want to freeze portions, follow the storage instructions for that specific product.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
A good option if you want to browse different types of bread within one online category.
- The online category includes white and wholemeal bread, among other options.
- A category overview won’t tell you what type of bread an individual multigrain loaf is. Check the product description for that.
Jumbo
A good option for families who want to compare whole and half loaves, as well as different white, brown and wholemeal varieties.
- Jumbo’s online range includes finely milled wholemeal bread and half wholemeal loaves.
- Check the label of your chosen variety if fibre, ingredients or allergens will affect your choice.
Lidl
A good option if you want to compare the stated fibre content of packaged bread.
- Lidl displays a fibre indicator on its packaged loaves.
- The fibre indicator doesn’t replace the white, brown or wholemeal description. For a specific choice, check the bread label too.
PLUS
A good option for comparing wholemeal breads, including whole and half loaves.
- The online category includes several wholemeal varieties.
- Ingredients and allergens can vary between products and may change, so check the current packaging of the bread you choose.
Dirk
A good option if you want to compare white, brown, multigrain and wholemeal bread side by side.
- The online bread category includes several types and sizes.
- ‘Multigrain’ alone doesn’t tell you whether bread is white, brown or wholemeal. Check the product description.
Related products at Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is brown bread the same as wholemeal bread?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, while brown bread is made from a mixture of wholemeal flour and refined flour. Check the bread description rather than judging by colour alone.
Is multigrain bread always a halfway option between white and wholemeal?
No. ‘Multigrain’ alone doesn’t tell you whether bread is described as white, brown or wholemeal. Check the description on the bread to see what type you’re buying.
What should I look for in bread for school or after-school care?
If your child has a relevant allergy or dietary restriction, check the current label and ask about the rules at the location. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that, for packaged foods, cereals containing gluten must be listed in the ingredients with the name of the cereal.
Can I assume that all bread contains iodine?
No. You can’t tell from whether bread is described as white, brown or wholemeal. To find out whether a specific loaf is made with bakers’ salt, check the ingredients or ask the baker.
How can I try a new type of bread without having lots left over?
Where possible, choose a half loaf first and see whether your child likes the new taste and texture. If you want to freeze bread, follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you buy.