For a secondary school lunch, wholegrain crispbread is a good choice if the pupil enjoys eating it and the crackers are large enough for the topping they have chosen. If they need a gluten-free product, choose one that is explicitly labelled gluten-free. Also check the allergens in both the crispbread and the topping, along with any school rules. The term ‘medium sliced’ doesn’t give you a useful indication of the size of an individual cracker.
They’re looking for crispbread with toppings they can vary and take to school. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes wholegrain products as part of a varied diet for teenagers. How much someone needs depends, among other things, on their growth and activity levels.
They want wholegrain varieties and to compare the nutritional information per 100 g. A product name that says ‘high fibre’ doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for someone with a gluten or sesame allergy, so check the label of the variety you choose.
They need to check whether both the crispbread and the topping are suitable for the individual’s allergens and any school rules. Jumbo lists wheat and rye in its wholegrain crispbread, while the Wasa variety labelled gluten-free contains sesame.
Start with a cracker the pupil will enjoy and can put toppings on. Then check the wholegrain information, nutritional details and allergens. If a medium-sized cracker is important, check the dimensions of each one: ‘medium sliced’ isn’t a standard size.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain base and size | Look for the wholegrain information and check whether one cracker is large enough for the topping you’ve chosen. | For every school day, I want a wholegrain base that works with my topping; around 33% of consumers put this need first. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety and the topping; check whether the school has any rules. | If I need to take coeliac disease or an allergy into account, I want to know what’s in the whole lunch before packing it. This check is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Fibre | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check the ingredients in the variety you’ve chosen. | When choosing my lunch, I mainly want to focus on fibre, but I also want a cracker I enjoy eating; around 20% of consumers put this first. |
| Packaging and storage | Check the weight, number of crackers and storage instructions for an opened pack. | When I’m preparing lunches for several school days, I want to know how many useful portions are in a pack. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this need. |
Jumbo lists wheat, rye and gluten in its wholegrain crispbread. So the wholegrain information doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable when gluten needs to be avoided.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. If you need a gluten-free product, choose one that is explicitly labelled gluten-free.
The Wasa Gluten- & Lactose-Free Crispbread Sesame & Sea Salt listed by Jumbo contains sesame seeds. So a gluten-free label doesn’t replace checking for other relevant allergens.
Check for sesame and any other ingredients that may be relevant, as well as the topping, before packing the lunch.
The name ‘crispbread’ doesn’t tell you which salt was used to make the product. This may matter if iodised baker’s salt is one of your buying criteria.
Check the ingredients list for the variety you’ve chosen rather than relying on the product category.
Wasa offers a range of crispbread varieties, including wholegrain and an explicitly gluten-free option.
The own-brand range includes a pack of wholegrain crispbread for anyone preparing lunches for several days.
This ALDI own-brand range includes a wholegrain crispbread variety in a multi-piece pack.
Bolletje offers a wholegrain crispbread variety called High-Fibre.
These products include wholegrain crispbread and varieties for comparing fibre when putting together a school lunch. Check whether the crackers in each pack are large enough for the topping and whether the ingredients are suitable for the pupil and any school rules.
No image available
For a lunch where you’re looking for a wholegrain variety and want to compare fibre. Check the nutritional information per 100 g and the allergens in both the crispbread and the topping.
Check whether each cracker is large enough for the portion you want to top.
No image available
For anyone wanting to keep crispbread for several school lunches. Check how many individual crackers are in the pack and follow the storage instructions after opening.
Check the ingredients and allergens in both the cracker and the topping before packing the lunch.
No image available
For anyone looking for a wholegrain crispbread base for toppings. Check whether the cracker is the right size and read the allergen information if gluten or other ingredients are a concern.
No image available
For anyone looking for a 125 g pack and wanting to check whether these crackers are suitable to take separately with toppings. Check the size of each cracker and read the ingredients and allergen information.
No image available
If you want to compare fibre content, check the nutritional information per 100 g alongside that of other varieties. Also check the allergens and whether the crackers can be taken to school with your chosen topping.
Yes. Wholegrain crispbread can be part of a varied school lunch if the pupil enjoys eating it and the product is suitable for any allergen restrictions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes wholegrain products in its advice on a varied diet for teenagers. Choose toppings that suit the pupil and, if you like, add some fruit or vegetables.
No. Jumbo lists wheat, rye and gluten in its Wholegrain Crispbread. If you need a gluten-free product, look for an explicit gluten-free label and check the current label for the exact variety.
Read the current ingredients and allergen information for both the crispbread and the topping, and take into account any individual arrangements at school. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be identifiable in the ingredients list on the label.
No, you can’t tell from the name ‘crispbread’. If iodised baker’s salt is important to your choice, check the ingredients list on the specific pack.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and consider packing moist toppings separately. That way, you can add the topping at lunchtime instead of spreading it on the crackers early in the day.
