Who is this choice important for?

Parents of fussy sandwich eaters

If your child mainly wants to eat white bread, you’ll want to find a loaf they’ll also eat for their school lunch. Brown bread can be a stepping stone; check the types of flour in each product.

Parents who prioritise fibre

You want to know whether your everyday bread is genuinely wholemeal and how much fibre it contains. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as bread made from 100% wholemeal flour.

Families with school allergy arrangements

Before packing lunch, you need to know which allergens are in the exact bread you’re using and what arrangements the school has in place. Check the packaging of the bread you’ve bought, or ask about allergens before buying unpackaged bread.

What should you look for when choosing?

Wholemeal bread

Choose it when: fibre is a priority and your child is happy to eat it.

Consider: a different taste or texture may put off a fussy eater.

Brown bread

Choose it when: you’re looking for a stepping stone between white bread and bread made entirely from wholemeal flour.

Consider: brown bread isn’t necessarily wholemeal, and fibre content varies by product.

White bread

Choose it when: your child currently prefers the lighter colour and taste.

Consider: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with brown or wholemeal bread as much as possible.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Whether your child will eat it Check the type of bread and, if needed, try a smaller pack or half a loaf. If my child leaves a new sandwich uneaten, I want to try a change without having to choose a whole loaf straight away. Around 29% of consumers put acceptance first.
Fibre and wholemeal content Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and compare fibre per 100 g on the label. I want to know whether my child’s school sandwich is fully wholemeal and how much fibre the bread I choose contains. For around 36% of consumers, this is the most important factor when choosing bread.
Everyday planning Check the pack size and the bread’s preparation and storage instructions. When I buy bread for several school days, the pack size needs to suit how we use it. Practical planning is the priority for around 21% of consumers.
Allergens and school rules Read the allergen information on the packaging or ask about the ingredients if the bread is unpackaged. Also check the school’s arrangements. If there’s a relevant allergy or school arrangement, I want to know before packing whether this particular bread is suitable. Around 14% of consumers give this check top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking dark or multigrain bread for wholemeal bread

    A dark colour or the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t mean that bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, that description applies to wholemeal bread.

    Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging, then compare the fibre content of the breads you’re considering.

  • Relying only on a product page when dealing with allergies

    Ingredients and allergens can change. If there’s a relevant allergy, you need to check the bread you’re actually buying.

    Read the label before packing lunch. If the bread is unpackaged, ask about allergens before buying it and check any school arrangements.

  • Comparing white and wholemeal bread using different portion sizes

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 1.2 g of fibre for a 45 g white roll and 3.4 g for a 50 g slice of hand-cut wholemeal bread. These portions aren’t the same size.

    When comparing breads in store, check the fibre per 100 g, as well as the taste and texture your child will accept.

Brands to compare

These supermarkets offer different types of bread. For a school lunch, the label on the bread you choose is still what matters.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has an online bread section where you can browse types of bread in advance.

  • Useful for comparing product names before you shop.
  • Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information may change, among other details. Check the packaging of the product you buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo has a dedicated online category for wholemeal bread, including finely milled wholemeal bread.

  • You can search specifically for bread labelled wholemeal.
  • Don’t judge another bread by its brown colour or the name ‘multigrain’ alone; check that product’s packaging.

Lidl

Lidl offers freshly baked bread and publishes ingredient and allergen information for its range.

  • This information can help you prepare a question about freshly baked bread.
  • If the bread is unpackaged, ask for the allergen information you need before buying it.

ALDI

ALDI’s bread range includes options such as white and wholemeal bread.

  • This lets you compare different types of bread side by side.
  • The availability of a type of bread doesn’t tell you which allergens are in a specific product; check the label.

PLUS

PLUS has an online category for wholemeal bread.

  • You can search in advance for bread labelled ‘wholemeal’.
  • PLUS notes that product information, including ingredients and allergens, may change. Read the packaging of the product you receive.

Dirk

Dirk lists types of bread such as white, wholemeal, multigrain and sourdough.

  • The different names give you a useful starting point for comparing products.
  • Don’t assume that bread is entirely wholemeal based on the word ‘multigrain’ or its colour; check the exact description.

Bread to browse at Joybuy

You could consider this bread as a possible stepping stone for a school lunch. Check the packaging to see whether the bread description, ingredients and preparation suit what you’re looking for.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

If you’re considering a different bread for your child’s school lunch, see whether they like this bread’s taste and texture.

The bread weighs 550 g. Allow time to defrost and bake it before packing.

Check the packaging of the product you buy for its Dutch bread description, types of flour, fibre content and allergens. The English name alone doesn’t confirm that it’s wholemeal.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is brown bread always wholemeal?

No. Brown bread contains wholemeal flour and white flour, while according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. If this is an important factor in your choice, look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging.

What if my child won’t eat wholemeal bread?

Brown bread can be a stepping stone if your child is happy to eat white bread. You could also try a finely milled wholemeal option. Check the description and fibre content on the label for each bread, rather than judging it by colour.

How do I check allergens in bread for school?

If there’s a relevant allergy, read the allergen information on the packaging of the bread you buy and check the school’s arrangements. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked products. If the bread is unpackaged, ask for this information before buying it.

How can I try a different bread without having lots left over?

Choose half a loaf if the option you want is available in that size, or divide a whole loaf into portions at home. Check the storage and preparation instructions too, so your new choice works for the school week.