Small households during the holidays
If you make lunch at home for just a few people, pack size, any inner packaging and clear storage instructions are especially useful.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People who use crispbread as a lunch staple
If you regularly top crispbread, you can compare wholegrain content, fibre and salt per 100 g, while also bearing in mind the portion you eat.
People who need to check allergens
If you need to avoid gluten or another allergen, choose based on the current ingredients and allergen information for the specific variety, not just the product category.
What should you look for when choosing?
For lunches at home during the school holidays, first work out how much crispbread you’ll use once the pack is open. Then compare the label details that matter most to your household.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and storage | Compare the weight, number of pieces, any inner packaging and the storage instructions after opening. | If I’m only making a few lunches at home, I don’t want to open more than I can keep crisp. For around 50% of consumers, reducing leftovers would be the first consideration. |
| Wholegrain, fibre and salt | Check the wholegrain claim and compare fibre and salt per 100 g; also consider your portion and toppings when choosing what to have for lunch. | If I regularly have crispbread with toppings for lunch, I want to know what the crispbread itself adds to the meal. Around 40% of consumers would compare the nutritional information first. |
| Allergens and iodine information | If you need a strictly gluten-free option, check the gluten-free label and allergen information. To check for iodine, look for a product-specific mention of iodised salt. | If an ingredient or allergen limits my choice, I need to be able to rely on the label for that exact variety. Checking the label would be the first priority for around 10% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming wholegrain means gluten-free
The Wasa, Bolletje, Albert Heijn and Jumbo wholegrain varieties described here contain rye and/or wheat. So a wholegrain label doesn’t mean a product is suitable for someone who needs to avoid gluten.
If you need a gluten-free option, choose only a variety explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the rest of the allergen information too.
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Assuming a large pack always means less waste
A 375 g pack with 25 portions may not be the best choice if you don’t use much, especially if the crispbread loses its crunch before you finish it.
Compare the number of pieces and any inner packaging too. Once opened, store the pack in a dry place and seal it well, following the instructions.
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Expecting iodine based on the product name
The name crispbread doesn’t tell you whether iodised salt has been used in a particular variety. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using iodised baker’s salt in bread is not compulsory.
Check the ingredients of the product you choose for iodised salt, or ask the manufacturer.
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Comparing fibre content alone
Fibre, salt, portion size and toppings each play a different part in what makes up a lunch. A fibre figure doesn’t tell you how much salt there is in the whole lunch, including the toppings.
Compare fibre and salt on the same basis, such as per 100 g, then consider the portion you actually use.
Brands to consider
Wasa
Wasa offers several types of crispbread. If you’re choosing between the wholegrain rye variety and other options, compare the label for the specific product.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Wasa Wholegrain contains 100% wholegrain rye and 20 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Wasa Wholegrain contains rye and gluten; other Wasa varieties may have different ingredients.
Bolletje
The Bolletje wholegrain variety described here is worth considering if you’re looking for a pack with individually wrapped portions.
- Albert Heijn describes a 265 g pack containing 16 pieces, wrapped in groups of four.
- The variety described contains wheat, rye, barley and sesame, among other ingredients; check the latest allergen information.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand range includes a 375 g wholegrain pack; Albert Heijn also lists gluten-free products separately.
- According to Albert Heijn, the wholegrain pack described contains 25 portions and comes with storage instructions for after opening.
- The wholegrain pack contains gluten. The fact that a separate gluten-free range is available doesn’t make this variety gluten-free.
Jumbo
Jumbo has a 375 g own-brand wholegrain pack for households that use this size.
- Jumbo lists 25 portions and recommends sealing the pack well after opening.
- The variety described contains gluten, rye and wheat; check the information about other possible allergens too.
Goud Gebakken
This ALDI own-brand range includes a wholegrain pack and a separate seeded variety.
- ALDI lists a 375 g wholegrain pack containing 25 pieces and a 265 g robust variety.
- Check the label of your chosen variety for ingredients and allergens.
Ryvita
Ryvita sells crispbread and crackerbread as separate product ranges.
- The brand website describes its crispbread as a base for toppings.
- If you’re buying from a Dutch retailer, check the specific variety, label and availability before relying on it for holiday lunches.
Crispbread for lunches at home from Joybuy
These are compact packs of crispbread for lunches with toppings at home. Compare the weight with how much you use; check the number of pieces, inner packaging and allergens for each variety if they’re relevant to your choice.
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Bolletje wholegrain crispbread, 265 g
A 265 g pack to consider if you’re looking for a wholegrain base for lunches with toppings in a small household.
Check the inner packaging and the latest ingredients and allergen information for this variety.
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Wasa Rustic crispbread, 215 g
The 215 g pack is a good option if you don’t want to open a large pack for lunches.
If you want to spread it over several lunches, check the number of pieces and whether there’s any inner packaging.
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Wasa wholegrain crispbread, 260 g
This compact wholegrain pack is ideal for lunch with your choice of toppings if 260 g is a good fit for how much you use.
According to the Joybuy product information, this variety is made with wholegrain rye. Check the number of pieces and the storage instructions for after opening.
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Bolletje Light Crispbread Golden Crisp, 240 g
This 240 g pack is another compact option for lunches at home. The name Light on its own doesn’t tell you which nutritional values matter to you.
Before buying, check the current packaging for allergens, especially sesame, and look at the number of pieces if you plan to spread the pack over several lunches.
Frequently asked questions
Does crispbread in the Netherlands always contain iodine?
No. The product name doesn’t tell you whether iodised salt has been used. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using iodised baker’s salt in bread is not compulsory, so check the ingredients of the specific crispbread or ask the manufacturer.
How can I keep crispbread crisp during the school holidays?
Once opened, store the pack in a dry place and seal it well, following the instructions. Albert Heijn recommends keeping its wholegrain crispbread in a sealed tin; if you don’t use much, a smaller pack or individually wrapped portions can also help you avoid opening too much at once.
Is wholegrain crispbread gluten-free too?
No. Wholegrain and gluten-free mean different things. The Wasa, Bolletje, Albert Heijn and Jumbo wholegrain varieties described here contain rye and/or wheat. If you need a gluten-free option, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the rest of the allergen information.