Choose crispbread clearly labelled as wholegrain if wholemeal flour is a requirement for lunch. For a fussy child, a thin variety described by the manufacturer as mild could be worth trying, but that doesn’t tell you whether the child will eat it. Before serving, check the allergens on the current pack and the nursery’s guidelines; a mix of white and wholemeal flour is not the same as 100% wholemeal.
They want to offer wholegrain crispbread without immediately choosing something with a strong flavour or a thick texture. A thin variety described as mild could be a good place to start; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends offering a variety of flavours without pressure.
Before serving, they need to compare the allergens on the current pack with each child’s requirements. Gluten-containing cereals, sesame and any ‘may contain’ statements are especially worth checking for the variety you choose.
They want to be able to tell from the label whether the crispbread is made with wholemeal flour, rather than relying on its dark colour or the words ‘multigrain’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘wholegrain’ on crackers means they contain 100% wholemeal flour.
Start with the nursery’s guidelines and the allergens that are relevant to the children. Then compare the types of flour and, for a first taste, choose a shape and flavour description you’d like to try.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal or a flour blend | Read the product name and ingredients list: does it say wholemeal flour, white flour or both? If you like, compare the fibre per 100 g too. | If 100% wholegrain is a firm requirement for lunch, you’ll want to be able to identify a partial flour blend. Around 46% of consumers say a clear wholegrain choice is their top priority. |
| Allergens and nursery guidelines | Compare the allergens and ‘may contain’ statements on the current pack with the written requirements for the child. | If a child has a relevant allergy or individual requirements, you’ll need to know whether this pack is suitable for their lunch. This check matters most to around 36% of consumers. |
| Flavour and shape | Check how thick the cracker is and read how the manufacturer describes its flavour; try a small portion. | If a child finds a strong rye or wholegrain flavour difficult, you’ll want to try things gently and see what they’ll eat. Around 18% of consumers put first-time acceptance first. |
Colour and the variety of grains don’t tell you how much of the flour is wholemeal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that ‘wholegrain’ on crackers means they contain 100% wholemeal flour.
Read the product name and ingredients list, especially if the difference between white and wholemeal flour matters for your lunch choice.
Crispbread varieties differ in their grains, seeds and allergen information. At a group lunch, a different variety may not meet an individual child’s requirements.
Check each current pack against the nursery’s guidelines; don’t rely on the brand or a product photo alone.
‘Mild’ is a product description, not a prediction of what a child will eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends offering flavours again without judgement.
Start with a small portion and give them the chance to try it again another time.
The word ‘salt’ alone doesn’t tell you what type of salt has been used in the crispbread.
Check the product information if the type of salt matters for your lunch choice; don’t assume based on the product category.
Wasa offers both a wholegrain rye variety and a thin rye variety that the brand describes as mild.
Bolletje offers, among other products, wholegrain crispbread and a Waldkorn variety made with different grains and seeds.
Jumbo Knäckebröd Volkoren, 375 g, lists wholemeal wheat and rye flour.
Ryvita describes Original Crispbread as a rye product containing 88 g of wholemeal rye flour per 100 g of product.
These products give you a starting point for comparing a thin variety to try, a wholegrain option or different types of flour. Before serving at nursery, always check the packaging and each child’s individual lunch requirements.
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An option to consider for a first taste if you’re looking for a light, thin cracker. Check the flavour description and allergens on the current pack; the description can’t predict whether a child will eat it.
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If wholegrain is the main requirement for lunch, check the type of flour in the ingredients list for this variety. Also compare the allergen information with the child’s requirements.
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If you’re comparing wholegrain crispbread for lunch, check the grains and ingredients on the pack for this variety. Check the allergens and ‘may contain’ statements separately before serving.
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If you’re considering a flour blend as a possible step towards wholegrain, check which types of flour are listed on the packaging for this variety. Assess the wholemeal content and allergens separately; the name alone doesn’t give you enough information.
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If you’re comparing rye crispbread for lunch, start with the ingredients list for this variety. Check the wholemeal content if 100% wholegrain is essential, and read the allergens on the current pack.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘wholegrain’ on crackers means they contain 100% wholemeal flour; a dark colour or several types of grain doesn’t mean that on its own. Read the product name and ingredients list to spot a blend of wholemeal and white flour.
Don’t automatically treat crispbread as an equivalent replacement for bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes bread in the diet of children aged 1 to 3, partly as a source of fibre and iodine. So consider crispbread at lunch as part of the nursery’s food policy and the child’s diet over the whole day.
Check the allergens that are relevant to the child according to their individual requirements, including gluten-containing cereals, sesame and any ‘may contain’ statements where applicable. Ingredients vary between crispbread varieties, so compare the current pack with the nursery’s individual requirements.
No. The word ‘salt’ alone doesn’t tell you what type of salt has been used. Check the product information if added iodine is relevant to this lunch choice.
