Families keeping an eye on their everyday bread budget
If you make several school lunches each week, you’ll want to choose a loaf size that suits your family’s needs and budget.
Who is this choice important for?
For a school lunch, it’s not just about the bread you choose. You also need to consider whether it will be used up at home and can be taken to school without any problems.
Lunch packers looking for convenience
If you want to make sandwiches quickly in the morning, a suitable loaf shape and clear storage instructions can help. Freezing can be useful if you won’t get through a whole loaf in time.
Families who need to check allergens
If someone has an allergy or coeliac disease, or the school or after-school club has specific policies, the ingredients and allergen information for the bread in question are what matter. PLUS lists wheat and barley among the ingredients of one of its wholemeal varieties.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out which bread your family will actually use and how much preparation is practical on a school day. Then check the nutritional information and, where necessary, the allergens listed on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Bread budget and loaf size | Compare the net weight of whole and half loaves, and choose an amount your household will use up. | If I pack sandwiches for school almost every day, I don’t want to keep throwing part of the loaf away. For around 46% of consumers, the bread budget comes first. |
| Making sandwiches and storage | Check whether the bread is sliced and follow the storage instructions for the packaging you choose. | Lunch needs to be packed in the morning without too much preparation, while any leftover bread should still be useful. Convenience and reducing waste are the main priorities for around 27% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal bread and nutritional information | Check the product description and compare fibre and salt on the same basis, for example per 100 g. | If you care more about the nutritional profile than an unusual loaf size, you’ll want to know what’s actually in the bread you choose. This matters most to around 18% of consumers. |
| Allergens and school policies | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, and check the school or after-school club’s policies if needed. | If your child needs to avoid certain ingredients, the bread you choose must meet their needs and comply with the school’s policies. For around 9% of consumers, this is the first thing they check. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a whole loaf and a half loaf contain the same amount
Different sizes don’t make the same number of sandwiches. So a choice that seems straightforward in the shop may not suit the number of lunch days you need to cover at home.
Check the net weight and think about how much bread your family uses before choosing a size.
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Assuming you know the allergens from the word wholemeal
The word wholemeal doesn’t tell you which other allergens are listed for a particular loaf. The ingredients listed by PLUS for one wholemeal variety include wheat and barley.
Check the current packaging every time you buy it, and adapt the packed lunch to the school or after-school club’s policies if needed.
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Buying more bread than your household will use
A large loaf won’t suit every family’s routine, especially if your child takes something different on some days.
Choose a suitable size or follow the freezing instructions for the specific loaf. PLUS says its Boeren volkoren heel can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
Brands and shops to consider
These shops offer different types of wholemeal bread. Check the packaging and product information for each loaf; the shop name alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for a school lunch.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers its own-brand wholemeal bread in various styles.
- Albert Heijn lists a net weight of 800 g for its round fine wholemeal loaf.
- Check which variety is available when you shop; this particular loaf is listed as discontinued on the product page.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s online range includes fine wholemeal bread and farmhouse tiger wholemeal bread.
- The different styles give you a choice of bread textures.
- Check the weight of each style and whether it’s suitable for a lunchbox.
Lidl
Lidl lists an 800 g fine wholemeal loaf as a shop product.
- The product page gives a clear net weight for this variety.
- Check the packaging in store to see whether the bread is sliced.
Aldi
Aldi’s fresh daily range includes fine wholemeal bread and farmhouse tiger wholemeal bread. There’s also a separate extra-high-fibre variety.
- The varieties mentioned give you a choice between a fine loaf and other bread textures.
- Check the nutritional information and net weight of your chosen variety separately.
PLUS
PLUS lists the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions for its own-brand wholemeal breads online.
- PLUS Boeren volkoren heel is listed as weighing 800 g, with instructions for freezing it at home.
- Use the latest information on the packaging when preparing lunch, especially if allergens are a concern.
Dirk
Dirk lists products including wholemeal batard and wholemeal farmhouse bread from Bakker van der Akker.
- The different shapes offer an alternative if you’re not looking for fine wholemeal bread.
- Check the weight, slicing and ingredients of the loaf you choose.
Wholemeal bread for those who can prepare ahead
These two Lekhaven Bakkerij loaves are designed to be defrosted and baked at home. They can work for a school lunch if you can plan for the preparation; if you’re on a tight budget, also check that the pack size suits your household’s needs.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g
For those who can prepare two loaves ahead and spread them across several lunches. Defrost, bake, leave to cool and slice the bread before making sandwiches.
The product information lists both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour, as well as wheat gluten. Check the latest ingredients, other allergen information and the wholemeal designation if these affect your choice.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
For those who prefer to prepare one loaf at a time and have time to defrost, bake, cool and slice it before the school lunch.
The product information lists wholemeal wheat flour, wheat flour and wheat gluten. Check the latest packaging for the ingredients, allergen information and wholemeal designation.
Frequently asked questions
Is wholemeal bread a suitable base for a school lunch?
Yes, wholemeal bread is an option for a school lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing brown or wholemeal bread for school. When putting together a packed lunch, also think about suitable fillings and what else your child will be taking with them.
Can I freeze bread for school lunches?
You can if the instructions for the bread you’ve chosen allow it. PLUS says its Boeren volkoren heel can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; for any other loaf, follow the instructions on its packaging.
Does wholemeal bread always contain gluten?
Don’t rely on the word wholemeal alone: check the ingredients and allergens for the exact loaf. The wholemeal variety described by PLUS lists wheat and barley as gluten-containing cereals. If you have coeliac disease or an allergy, the product you choose must meet your specific needs.
Does all wholemeal bread contain iodine from baker’s salt?
You can’t tell from the words wholemeal bread alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of bread baked with baker’s salt for iodine intake. If you have questions about a particular loaf, check the product information or ask the baker.