Parents looking for wholemeal bread
You’re choosing bread for a child aged 1 to 3 and want to compare wholemeal options and their fibre content. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes bread as part of breakfast and lunch for this age group.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Parents who want to cut their own slices
You want to choose the slice thickness and portion size yourself. If a loaf is called ‘whole’, ask whether it’s actually supplied unsliced.
Parents packing bread to take out
If the bread is going to nursery or school, the allergens listed on the current packaging and the rules at that setting are part of your decision.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to slice the bread yourself or prefer to buy it pre-sliced. Then compare the wholemeal labelling, the portion size you can serve and the information on the label.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and compare fibre only on a like-for-like basis, such as per 100 g. | If bread is a regular feature at breakfast, I want to make an informed choice between wholemeal options. Around 33% of consumers say wholemeal and fibre are their top priority. |
| Slice thickness and portion size | Ask whether the loaf is unsliced or can be cut into thick slices; after slicing, check the size of the pieces too. | I want to cut a substantial slice myself and divide it into smaller pieces if needed. For around 42% of consumers, having control over slice and portion size comes first. |
| Label and taking bread out | Read the current ingredients and allergen information; look for terms such as ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’ for information about salt and iodine. | When I pack bread to take out, I want to know what’s in it and what rules the nursery or school follows. For around 25% of consumers, this is their top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘whole’ means ‘unsliced’
A whole loaf or bread described as ‘sliced’ won’t automatically have the slice thickness you’re looking for.
Before buying, ask whether you can get the bread unsliced or how it will be sliced.
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Judging by colour alone
The colour or a name such as ‘farmhouse bread’ doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal.
Check that it’s labelled as wholemeal and, if in doubt, compare the nutritional information per 100 g.
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Treating a thick slice as a standard toddler portion
A substantial slice of bread can produce pieces that are too large for a young toddler. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against serving food in pieces that are too large for this age group.
Cut the slice into smaller pieces if needed and adjust the amount to suit your child.
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Overlooking the label or nursery rules
The wholemeal breads described by Albert Heijn and PLUS list wheat and gluten. If your child has an allergy or you’re packing bread to take out, check the current product information and the setting’s rules to find out what you need to know.
Read the packaging when you buy the bread and ask the nursery or school what rules apply.
Brands to compare
These brands give you options to compare bread types, whether they’re sliced and the information on the label. The examples listed don’t indicate the thickness of every loaf from each brand.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes AH OerDesem volkoren Allinson as a whole sliced loaf.
- The product information lists wholemeal wheat flour and iodised salt.
- ‘Sliced’ doesn’t specify the thickness of the slices; check the current label for allergens too.
PLUS
PLUS offers options such as PLUS Grof volkoren heel to look at.
- The ingredient information lists wholemeal wheat flour, wheat gluten and baker’s salt.
- Check whether ‘whole’ means you can buy this loaf unsliced.
Dirk
Dirk offers a range of wholemeal breads, including options from Bakker van der Akker.
- You can compare several types of wholemeal bread side by side.
- Before relying on a particular slice thickness, check whether your chosen loaf is sliced and read its label.
ALDI
ALDI lists both sliced fine wholemeal bread and a whole extra-fibre wholemeal loaf.
- The fine wholemeal bread is explicitly described as sliced.
- Check whether the sliced bread suits your needs and whether the whole loaf is available unsliced.
Lidl
Lidl describes a kids’ bread made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
- Lidl provides separate ingredient and allergen information for freshly baked bread.
- Lidl says its fresh bread range may vary by store; check the texture and label of the loaf you buy.
A bread option at Joybuy
This round loaf is an option if you want to cut your own slices and can prepare breakfast in advance. When serving it, choose a slice and piece size that suits your child.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g
If you want to choose the slice thickness yourself, this round loaf can be sliced after preparation.
Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling before slicing. Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens, especially if the bread is going to nursery or school.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘whole loaf’ mean I can cut my own thick slices?
No. ‘Whole’ doesn’t, by itself, confirm that the loaf is unsliced. Ask the retailer whether it’s sliced or check the packaging if you want to choose the slice thickness yourself.
How large should I cut pieces of bread for a toddler?
Don’t make the pieces too large, and tailor them to the way your child eats. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against serving young toddlers and toddlers food in pieces that are too large; you can cut a thick slice into smaller pieces too.
How many slices of bread does the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommend for children aged 1 to 3?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends around 2 to 3 slices of bread a day, usually split between breakfast and lunch. This doesn’t mean you should serve a thick slice as a standard breakfast portion; choose an amount that suits your child.
What should I look for when choosing wholemeal bread for breakfast?
Check that the bread is labelled as wholemeal and that its texture and portion size suit your child. If you want to compare products by fibre content, use nutritional values with the same unit, such as per 100 g, rather than judging by colour alone.