Nurseries where wholemeal is the lunchtime standard
For staff choosing bread for everyday lunches and using fibre as a starting point. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal or brown bread for nurseries.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Groups with fussy bread eaters
For groups where the texture of coarser bread is the main sticking point. Finely milled wholemeal is one option to consider; Lidl says its specific kids’ bread is made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
Children with an individual dietary plan
For children whose coeliac disease, diagnosed food allergy or childcare arrangement determines which bread they can eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says regular bread is not suitable for people with coeliac disease.
What should you consider when choosing?
First, establish which bread is suitable for each child under their individual arrangements. For everyday lunches, then compare the wholemeal content, texture and the amount of bread the group gets through.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check that the bread is explicitly labelled wholemeal and compare nutritional values on the same basis, such as fibre per 100 g. | When choosing a regular lunch option, I want to know whether the bread really is wholemeal and how much fibre it contains. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Texture | Check the wholemeal content of a fine or soft loaf; its fine texture alone doesn’t tell you anything about this. | If a child leaves coarser bread, I want to be able to try a different texture without losing sight of the wholemeal choice. Around 24% of consumers give this consideration priority. |
| Allergens and individual arrangements | Check the current packaging for both the allergens present and any warnings about possible traces, then compare these with the child’s individual dietary plan. | If a child has an individual dietary plan, I need to be sure this particular bread meets the agreed requirements before packing it. This is the main priority for roughly 29% of consumers. |
| Portions and storage | Compare a whole or half loaf with the number of people eating, and follow the storage instructions for the product you choose. | For a small group, I don’t want to open more bread than we’ll use at lunchtime. Around 18% of consumers prioritise portion size and storage. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming brown or multigrain means wholemeal
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that wholemeal bread contains the most fibre. A dark colour or the word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t prove that a loaf is wholemeal.
If you’re choosing wholemeal, look for an explicit product description and check the ingredients and nutritional information too.
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Assuming a fine texture means the bread is wholemeal
‘Fine’ or ‘soft’ describes how bread may feel, not what grain it is made from. A description of one product’s taste also doesn’t predict whether every child will eat it.
Check whether the particular bread is wholemeal, and assess its texture separately.
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Checking for gluten alone
Product information from retailers including Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS shows that allergen warnings vary between breads. A wholemeal label tells you nothing about whether the bread is suitable for a child with a different diagnosed allergy.
Check both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ on the current packaging, and follow the childcare setting’s arrangements for that child.
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Relying on an old product description
Albert Heijn and PLUS say that product information can change. An ingredients list or nutritional value you read previously may therefore no longer match the packaging for the next lunch.
Check the packaging of the product you’re actually using, especially if a child has an individual dietary plan.
Brands to consider
Compare specific breads rather than brand names alone: fibre, ingredients and allergens vary from product to product.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers several half loaves of wholemeal bread, including a round loaf and a waldkorn variety.
- A half loaf may suit a smaller group or a lunch where you’re serving more than one type of bread.
- Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change, so check the packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells Fijn Volkoren in both half and whole loaves.
- Jumbo Fijn Volkoren is listed as containing 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g, making it easy to compare with another bread on the same basis.
- This nutritional value applies to this product, not all Jumbo breads; check the allergens on each pack too.
Lidl
Lidl describes a wholemeal kids’ bread made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
- The flour texture described makes this particular bread worth considering if coarser bread is a sticking point.
- Lidl says the bread tastes like brown bread, but that doesn’t guarantee a child will accept it. Check the current ingredients and allergens too.
ALDI
ALDI lists Fijn Volkoren and Extra vezelrijk Volkoren as separate breads in its range.
- The two product names give you a starting point for checking the wholemeal content and nutritional information of each loaf.
- Claims about fibre or salt apply to the specific product and the basis used for comparison, not the entire range.
PLUS
PLUS sells a round fine wholemeal loaf in a half-size pack.
- The half-size pack is worth comparing if the group doesn’t get through much bread at once.
- PLUS says product information can change, so check the allergens and storage instructions on the current packaging.
Wholemeal bread at Joybuy
These products are suited to choosing wholemeal bread as an everyday lunch option. The product name alone won’t tell you whether a child will accept its texture, so check each bread against the arrangements for allergens and preparation too.
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Souq Lebanese wholemeal flatbread, 6 pieces
This wholemeal flatbread offers a different shape for a lunch where regular wheat bread is allowed.
The product name states that the pack contains 6 pieces. Check the current allergen information before packing it; regular wheat bread is not a suitable alternative for people with coeliac disease.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread, 2 × 550 g
This option may suit a group that uses round wholemeal bread and can plan ahead for lunchtime preparation.
The product name states that the pack contains 2 × 550 g. Check the instructions for defrosting, baking and cooling, and compare the current allergen information with each child’s arrangements.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread, 550 g
This option is worth considering if a 550 g pack is a better fit for the amount of bread your group needs.
Before lunch, check the instructions for defrosting, baking and cooling. Read the current allergen information too; regular wheat bread is not suitable for people with coeliac disease.
Frequently asked questions
Which bread should you usually choose for nursery lunches?
Wholemeal bread is a good starting point for children who can eat regular bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal or brown bread and says that wholemeal bread contains the most fibre; individual dietary arrangements still take priority.
Is finely milled wholemeal an option for a child who won’t eat coarse bread?
Finely milled wholemeal is worth trying if the particular bread is confirmed to be wholemeal. Lidl says its kids’ bread is made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour, but that doesn’t tell you how every child will respond to the texture; check the packaging for allergens too.
Can a child with coeliac disease eat regular wholemeal or brown bread?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, regular bread made with gluten-containing grains is not suitable for people with coeliac disease. Follow the individual dietary plan agreed for the child; if you suspect a problem, don’t change their diet on your own.
Do you need to check for allergens other than gluten?
Yes. Relevant allergens vary from one bread to another and from child to child. Check the current packaging for both the ingredients the product contains and any warnings about possible traces, then compare this information with the individual dietary plan.