Try finely milled wholemeal bread if your child likes the taste and texture: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. Brown bread can be a stepping stone for a fussy eater; choose white bread if familiarity matters most at this mealtime. Whatever you choose, check the label and, if the bread is going to school or childcare, check the rules on allergens.
Your child prefers soft bread, but you want to see whether they will also accept a more finely milled wholemeal loaf. Check that the bread you choose is labelled ‘wholemeal’; the grind or soft appearance alone won’t tell you what it’s made from.
You’re looking for a manageable step away from familiar white bread. Brown bread could be an option, but according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, it contains a mixture of wholemeal flour and refined flour, so it isn’t the same as wholemeal bread.
For school, after-school care or childcare, you’ll want to know which allergens are in the specific bread and what the setting’s rules are about bringing and sharing food. Check this information again whenever you buy a different loaf.
For a fussy child, the main difference between white, brown and finely milled wholemeal bread is the step you ask them to try. Then check the ingredients, nutritional information and requirements for taking it with them for each product.
When: Your child is willing to try a finer texture and you’re looking for bread labelled as wholemeal.
Things to consider: Even finely milled wholemeal bread can taste or look different from white bread. Lidl describes a kids’ bread made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour; check the label on the product you choose.
When: Your child isn’t ready to try wholemeal bread yet, but might be open to a different kind of sandwich from white bread.
Things to consider: According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, brown bread contains both wholemeal flour and refined flour, so the name doesn’t mean it’s completely wholemeal.
When: A familiar sandwich matters more than trying a new type of bread at this mealtime.
Things to consider: The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes white bread from wholemeal bread because of their composition and nutritional value; don’t treat them as the same choice.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the specific loaf and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. | I want to know whether the bread really is wholemeal, even if it looks finely textured. This is the top priority for around 45% of consumers. |
| Taste and texture | If you like, try finely milled wholemeal or brown bread in a smaller size, and check the product name and ingredients to identify the type of bread. | If my child quickly rejects a different sandwich, I want to see what texture they’ll accept first. This is the main concern for around 27% of consumers. |
| Allergens and school rules | Check the latest allergen information and ask the school or childcare setting about its rules for bringing and sharing food. | Before packing lunch, I need to be sure the bread meets the setting’s requirements. This is the top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
| Size and storage | Check whether you can buy half a loaf, or freeze portions you won’t use soon. | I want to try a new bread without leaving a whole loaf unused. This matters most to around 10% of consumers. |
The colour and number of types of grain don’t tell you whether a loaf is made entirely from wholemeal flour.
Check for the exact word ‘wholemeal’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; use brown bread as a stepping stone, not as another name for wholemeal.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. This is especially important when you’re packing a different bread for school or childcare.
Read the packaging of the product you’re actually buying, or ask the seller for allergen information if the bread is sold unpackaged.
Choosing a product and checking the rules on sharing or eating together are two separate things. If your child follows a strict gluten-free diet, you’ll also need to consider the risk of cross-contamination.
Ask the school, after-school care provider or childcare setting about its rules in advance, and choose the specific bread accordingly.
Your child may reject a new taste or texture, and bread that’s left uneaten can go stale.
If available, try half a loaf and freeze portions you won’t use soon.
Otherwise, a whole loaf could take up unnecessary freezer space or partly go to waste.
Albert Heijn has separate online categories for white and wholemeal bread.
Jumbo has categories for white, brown, seeded and wholemeal bread, among others.
Lidl describes a kids’ bread made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
ALDI stocks white, wholemeal and seeded bread, and also lists a finely milled wholemeal loaf.
PLUS has separate online categories for white and wholemeal bread.
Dirk stocks white, wholemeal and seeded bread, among other types.
These two products suit different needs: a white bread mix for baking at home and a loaf with Whole Wheat in its name. For the latter, check the current wholemeal labelling before choosing it as wholemeal bread.
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An option if you’d like to bake white bread yourself for this mealtime; it’s a bread mix, not a ready-made loaf. Follow the preparation instructions on the packaging, and check the latest allergen information and school rules before packing it to take with you.
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A loaf to consider alongside the white option, but the words Whole Wheat in the name alone don’t confirm that this particular bread is labelled as wholemeal. Check the latest packaging, as well as the preparation instructions and allergen information, before packing it to take with you.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, while brown bread contains a mixture of wholemeal flour and refined flour. Check for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the bread rather than relying on the colour or name alone.
Bread made with grains that contain gluten isn’t suitable for a strict gluten-free diet. Check the allergen information for the specific product and speak to the school or childcare setting about its rules for bringing in food and avoiding cross-contamination.
Ask the seller which allergens are present in the specific bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that sellers must also inform customers about allergens in unpackaged food.
Don’t assume that it does. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of baker’s salt in bread for children; check the product information for the bread you buy or ask the baker which salt they used.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days, or in the freezer for 1–3 months. Freeze portions you won’t use soon, and throw away any mouldy bread.
