Who is a half loaf useful for?

Households that don't eat much bread

If you only need a few slices at a time for after school, a half loaf may better suit how much you use. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends freezing bread in portions to avoid leaving slices uneaten.

Parents of children who prefer white bread

If you want to keep an eye on fibre while catering to that preference, compare the nutritional information per 100 g for different half loaves of white bread. A higher-fibre white loaf is not automatically a replacement for wholemeal bread in your child's everyday diet.

Parents who need to check allergens

When packing bread, check the ingredients and allergens, as well as any rules set by your child's school or childcare provider. The white wheat breads reviewed list wheat or gluten; other allergens may also be relevant, depending on the product.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, work out how many slices you usually use. Then compare the label and the texture to make sure the smaller pack suits what your child eats.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it's most relevant to
Portion size and storage Compare a half loaf with how much you expect to use. Check whether you can freeze individual slices on the day you buy it. We only use a few slices at a time, so I want to avoid the rest going stale. Around 25% of consumers would therefore make portion size their first consideration.
Fibre Compare the fibre per 100 g on the label; don't judge white bread on a fibre claim alone. My child likes white bread, but I want to pay attention to its nutritional value within that choice. For around 33% of consumers, fibre would be the top priority.
Allergens and rules Read the latest allergen information and check the rules set by your child's school or childcare provider separately. Ask about allergens when buying unpackaged bread. When my child takes bread to school, I want to know whether its ingredients comply with the rules that apply to them. Around 25% of consumers would put allergens and school rules first.
Texture and convenience Choose between, for example, soft tin bread and bread with a firmer crust, based on what your child is happy to eat. After school, I want to be able to make a sandwich quickly that my child will actually eat. For around 17% of consumers, the preferred bread texture would be the main factor in their choice.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming all white bread contains the same allergens

    As well as wheat or gluten, some of the varieties reviewed list milk or soya. Warnings about the possible presence of other allergens also vary by product.

    Check the latest label every time you buy. If you're buying unpackaged bread, ask about allergen information before purchasing and check the rules set by your child's school or childcare provider too.

  • Leaving a half loaf uneaten for too long

    A smaller pack only helps if you use the slices before the bread goes stale.

    Buy enough for the number of snack times you expect, or follow the Netherlands Nutrition Centre's advice to freeze portions straight away and take out only what you need each time.

  • Assuming higher-fibre white bread is the same as wholemeal bread

    A higher fibre content among white breads doesn't tell you everything about their nutritional value. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible.

    If your child prefers white bread, compare the fibre per 100 g, and consider half a loaf of wholemeal or brown bread for everyday use too.

  • Assuming all bread is made with baker's salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the use of baker's salt isn't compulsory. You can't tell whether it's been used based on the type of bread alone.

    Check the ingredients list for baker's salt or iodised salt, or ask about it when buying unpackaged bread.

Brands to consider

These examples show the types of half loaves of white bread listed by the retailers mentioned. Check the packaging of the variety you buy for the latest ingredient and nutritional information.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists products including AH Vloerbrood wit half and AH Extra lang lekker Zaans wit half.

  • AH Extra lang lekker Zaans wit half lists 4,3 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Ingredients and allergens vary by variety; check the packaging when you buy it.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists products including Casino Wit Brood half and Wit Brood met Extra Vezels half.

  • The product names distinguish between a tin loaf and a white loaf with extra fibre.
  • Check which varieties are available at your local store and compare the nutritional information on the packaging.

Lidl

Lidl describes Halfje boerenwit sesam as white farmhouse bread topped with sesame seeds, available in store.

  • The sesame topping sets this variety apart from a standard half loaf of white bread.
  • Check the label in store if ingredients, allergens or fibre are important to your choice.

ALDI

ALDI lists a half-loaf version of its fresh white bread.

  • A half loaf is a portion size worth considering if you don't use much bread.
  • Check the packaging in store for the ingredients, allergens and nutritional value of the variety you choose.

PLUS

PLUS lists products including Boeren wit half and Boeren wit tijger half.

  • The product information distinguishes between the varieties and lists their ingredients and allergens.
  • PLUS Boeren wit tijger half also lists allergens that the bread may contain. Check the latest packaging and availability at your local store.

Dirk

Dirk describes Bakker van der Akker Casino wit half as a soft tin loaf for sandwiches or toasties.

  • Its soft texture may be a good fit if your child prefers soft bread.
  • Read the product label for ingredients and allergens before packing the bread.

Joybuy products

Related products will appear here soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does a half loaf of white bread automatically prevent food waste?

No, a half loaf is mainly helpful if you wouldn't finish a whole loaf before it goes stale. If the number of slices you use varies, you can also freeze bread in portions on the day you buy it and take out what you need for each snack time.

How should I store bread for after-school snacks?

It's best to freeze slices you won't use soon in portions on the day you buy them. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends taking only the bread you need out of the freezer each time. Also follow the storage advice on the packaging for the variety you've chosen.

What should I look for in white bread for school?

Check the latest allergen information and the rules set by your child's school or childcare provider. The white wheat breads reviewed list wheat or gluten and may also list other allergens. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must also be available before purchase for unpackaged bread.

Is white bread with extra fibre the same as wholemeal bread?

No, a fibre claim doesn't make white bread wholemeal. If it matters to your choice, compare the fibre per 100 g in different white breads. For everyday use, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal or brown bread rather than white bread.

Does all Dutch bread contain iodised baker's salt?

No, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the use of baker's salt isn't compulsory. Check the ingredients list for baker's salt or iodised salt, or ask when buying unpackaged bread.