If you want to make a conscious choice about fibre for a children’s party, choose bread labelled ‘wholemeal’ rather than white bread. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. Then choose a texture and size to suit the snacks you’re planning. Always check the latest allergen information for the children who will be eating.
You want to replace white bread with bread that is genuinely made from wholemeal flour. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread as options for children because of their fibre content.
You’re looking for bread you can serve as small sandwiches or snacks. As well as checking for the ‘wholemeal’ label, consider the texture and whether the bread is pre-sliced.
You’re serving bread to several children and want to know which ingredients and ‘may contain’ statements are relevant to them. Check this before you buy and serve the bread.
White bread may suit a particular party dish, but it won’t meet your aim of serving bread made from wholemeal flour. Make that choice first, then decide what texture, quantity and allergen information you need for your party.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal or white | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the specific bread; colour or seeds are no substitute. | I want to replace white bread because I’m consciously choosing fibre for the party snacks. Around 36% of consumers put this wholemeal choice first. |
| Texture and portions | Check whether the bread is fine or coarse, and whether its shape is suitable for the snacks you want to make. | For small sandwiches, I want bread that’s easy to fill and hand out. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this portion-friendly convenience. |
| Allergens | Ask about relevant allergies and read the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ statements on the latest packaging. | If an invited child has an allergy, I need to know whether this bread is suitable before serving it. For around 14% of consumers, this check is the first priority. |
| Quantity and storage | Choose a whole or half loaf to suit the number of snacks, and follow the storage instructions for the product you’ve chosen. | I want enough bread for the group without having lots left over. Around 21% of consumers give this planning the highest priority. |
A dark colour or visible seeds don’t confirm that bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
As the Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains, look for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the bread you buy.
When you’re catering for a group at a party, information about the possible presence of allergens can also affect what you serve.
Ask parents about any relevant allergies in advance. For packaged bread, check the latest packaging; for unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information before buying.
Whether iodised salt has been used in a particular bread depends on that product’s ingredients.
If iodine is a consideration when choosing bread, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
A whole loaf may be too much if you’re only making a limited number of small snacks.
Plan the snacks in advance, compare the available sizes and follow the packaging instructions for storing any leftovers.
Albert Heijn features products including AH Wholemeal Hearth Bread, Whole Loaf.
Jumbo features fine, coarse and half wholemeal loaves in its online category.
Lidl features Fine Wholemeal Bread, 800 g, as an in-store product.
ALDI features fine wholemeal, farmhouse tiger wholemeal and extra high-fibre wholemeal bread.
PLUS features products including fine and tiger wholemeal bread.
Dirk features products including Bakker van der Akker Farmhouse Wholemeal Bread, Whole Loaf, and Wholemeal Hearth Bread, Whole Loaf.
This selection is for flatbreads you can divide up for snacks, rather than pre-sliced sandwich bread. If you want bread made from 100% wholemeal flour, check what the ingredients list says alongside the ‘Whole Wheat’ label.
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For snacks made with flatbread rather than sliced loaves. The pack contains 6 pieces.
Before serving, check the latest ingredients and allergen information, including any statements about soya and milk. Also check which salt has been used if iodine is a consideration.
Choose wholemeal bread if you want to make a conscious choice about fibre for your party snacks. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. Then decide which texture and shape will work for your snacks.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the ‘wholemeal’ label on bread means it is made from 100% wholemeal flour. Don’t judge by colour or visible grains alone.
Don’t assume it does. If iodine is relevant to your choice, check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed in the ingredients for the specific bread.
Ask parents in advance which allergens are relevant to their children, and check both the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ statements on the latest packaging. For unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information before buying.
Follow the instructions for the bread you buy. Albert Heijn and PLUS provide freezing instructions for the wholemeal products mentioned, but don’t apply them to a different loaf without checking first.
