Lunchers keeping an eye on fibre
You’re looking for a bread base whose ingredients and fibre content you can assess. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists brown and wholemeal bread as lunch options and highlights the fibre in wholemeal bread.
Who is this choice for?
Fussy eaters looking for a middle ground
You’d like something closer to a croissant or white bread. A seeded variety might appeal, but check the ingredients before considering it wholemeal.
Lunchers who prioritise taste or convenience
You might choose a croissant for a special lunch or because it’s a convenient option. The size, filling, preparation and nutritional information of your chosen variety will determine what you’re actually buying.
What should you consider when choosing?
Wholemeal or brown roll
Choose this if: a bread base with a focus on fibre matters more to you than the texture of a croissant.
The trade-off: you won’t get the flaky texture of a croissant; for a fussy eater, that difference could be the deciding factor.
Seeded croissant
Choose this if: you fancy a croissant and like the sound of a seeded variety.
The trade-off: seeded doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal; the ingredients and nutritional value of the specific croissant still matter.
Plain or filled croissant
Choose this if: taste or a treat matters more than a lunch based on wholemeal bread.
The trade-off: fillings and portion sizes vary by product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against automatically making croissants and similar rolls your everyday lunch staple.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and the type of bread | Check the ingredients and compare fibre per 100 g and per portion eaten. | If I want my lunch to be based on wholemeal bread, I don’t want to judge by the colour of the roll alone. Around 50% of consumers prioritise this. |
| An acceptable middle ground | For a seeded variety, check which grains and types of flour it contains; the name doesn’t confirm that it’s wholemeal. | A strongly wholemeal roll appeals to me less, but I’d still like to consider something other than a plain croissant. For around 30% of consumers, this middle ground is the priority. |
| Taste, portion size and convenience | Check the size, filling and whether the product is fresh, ready to bake or frozen. | Sometimes I choose a croissant for the treat and want to know how much I’m having and what preparation it needs. This matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming seeds prove it’s wholemeal
A seeded name or dark colour doesn’t tell you whether the croissant is made with wholemeal flour. You could end up choosing a variety that doesn’t meet your aim of getting more fibre.
Read the ingredients and compare the nutritional information for the exact products, ideally both per 100 g and per portion.
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Assuming a croissant is an everyday lunch staple
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists brown and wholemeal bread as lunch options and notes that croissants and similar sweet or savoury rolls often contain a lot of calories, sugar or salt, and fat.
Choose a bread base that suits your lunch goals and assess a croissant as a separate choice, including its portion size and any filling.
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Treating an online product description as the label
When you buy a product, the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions for that exact variety matter. Lidl directs customers to the packaging for information about its food products.
Check the label on the product you actually buy, especially if you need to avoid an ingredient or allergen.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s croissant range includes several varieties, including an AH Seeded Croissant.
- You can browse plain, mini, butter and seeded varieties in the range.
- For the seeded variety you choose, check the ingredients and nutritional value yourself before comparing it with wholemeal bread.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists butter, frozen and filled croissants, among other varieties.
- The different product formats let you factor preparation and portion size into your choice.
- Don’t assume a croissant is wholemeal or has a particular nutritional value based on a general product listing.
Lidl
Lidl lists a Seeded Croissant, which the product description says is made with several types of seed.
- The seeded variety is worth a look if you specifically want a croissant with seeds.
- Lidl directs customers to the packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values; several types of seed don’t prove that a product is wholemeal.
Aldi
Aldi lists an individual fresh butter croissant as an in-store product.
- Buying an individual croissant lets you tailor your purchase to the number you need.
- Check the label if ingredients or nutritional values are important to your lunch choice.
Plus
Plus lists small butter and filled croissants, among other varieties, with product information that varies by product.
- The chocolate and hazelnut croissant lists ingredients, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g.
- Don’t use the information or Nutri-Score for one Plus croissant as a guide to other varieties.
Dirk
Dirk lists individual butter croissants and packaged varieties, including ready-to-bake croissants.
- You can compare an individual croissant with a pack for several occasions.
- For a nutritional comparison, check the labels of the specific varieties.
Bread alternatives on Joybuy
If you’d prefer a roll to a croissant for lunch, here are some rye, wholemeal and multigrain options to consider. Check the ingredients and portion size for each product; the name multigrain on its own doesn’t confirm that a roll is wholemeal.
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Bolletje rye bread roll, 500 g
A rye alternative if you’re not looking for a croissant for lunch. If you specifically want individual rolls, check the product format on the packaging and compare nutritional values on the same basis.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
A wholemeal loaf as an alternative to a croissant when you want the bread to be the focus of your lunch. Allow time for defrosting and baking, and follow the instructions on the packaging.
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g'woon multigrain rolls, 4 pack
A multigrain roll to consider if you’re looking for an alternative to a plain croissant. It isn’t a croissant; check the ingredients if wholemeal flour is a requirement for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is a seeded croissant automatically wholemeal?
No. The name tells you that seeds are involved, not that the flour used is wholemeal. Check the ingredients of the specific croissant and compare the nutritional information if fibre is important to your choice.
Can a plain croissant be part of lunch?
A plain croissant can be a deliberate choice for lunch, but it isn’t the same as a lunch based on wholemeal bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists brown and wholemeal bread as lunch options and notes that croissants and similar rolls often contain a lot of calories, sugar or salt, and fat.
What can I have with a croissant for lunch?
You could round out your lunch with vegetables, fruit or toppings that fit the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Wheel of Five. That doesn’t make the croissant itself wholemeal bread, so keep an eye on the portion size and any filling too.
Where can I check allergens and preparation instructions?
Check the packaging of the exact variety you’re buying. Lidl directs customers to the packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for its food products; some Plus products have additional information online. For ready-to-bake and frozen products, follow the preparation instructions for the one you choose.