Parents planning school-holiday lunches
You’re looking for bread your child will enjoy, whether at home or on a day out. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread for primary school children’s lunches.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Families with varying lunch plans
You don’t need the same amount of bread every day and want to decide whether a half loaf or frozen portions would suit the week better. Follow the instructions for your chosen product when freezing it.
Shoppers who need to check allergens
You’re choosing bread for someone with an allergy or other dietary restriction. In that case, the ingredients, allergen information and details of possible cross-contamination matter more than the slice thickness.
What should you look for when choosing?
If there’s an allergy, check the product information first. Otherwise, choose the type of bread, then check whether the slice thickness and quantity suit your school-holiday lunches.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Type of bread | Check whether the bread is labelled wholemeal or brown. If you want wholemeal, don’t rely on the colour alone. | For lunch, I want to know I’m really buying wholemeal bread, rather than relying on its brown colour. Bread type is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Slice thickness and ease of eating | Check whether it’s labelled ‘medium-sliced’ or look at the slice. Consider whether it suits your usual fillings and the person who’ll be eating it. | When we’re out and about, I want to be able to fill and eat a sandwich without the slice being awkward. Ease of eating matters most to around 27% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the up-to-date ingredients and allergen information for the exact loaf, and ask about possible cross-contamination if needed. | If I have an allergy, I need to know which ingredients and allergens apply to this bread before buying it. Around 20% of consumers put this check first. |
| Quantity and storage | Compare a whole loaf with a half loaf, and follow the instructions for your chosen product if you freeze it. | If we’re having lunch at home on some days of the holidays but not others, I want to buy bread we can finish in time. Planning how much to buy is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming brown bread is always wholemeal
A brown colour or the name ‘brown bread’ doesn’t confirm that a loaf is wholemeal.
If you specifically want wholemeal bread, check the product name and, if in doubt, the ingredients list.
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Assuming ‘medium-sliced’ means a standard thickness
The label alone won’t tell you exactly how the slices of your chosen loaf will feel when you’re filling and eating them.
Check the slices or product specifications. If you’re unsure, try one loaf before buying several for the school holidays.
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Buying a whole loaf without counting the days you’ll need lunch
Days out and changing plans for lunch at home can mean you don’t get through a whole loaf in time.
Choose an amount that fits your plans and only freeze portions according to the product instructions.
Bread that goes stale before you finish it may have to be thrown away.
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Checking only the type of bread when there’s an allergy
A label such as ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t tell you whether the bread contains any allergens. Jumbo also warns of possible cross-contamination in certain products packaged in store.
Check the up-to-date information for the exact loaf. If the allergy is severe, ask the shop or manufacturer for further product information before buying.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Useful if you want to check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for a specific loaf online.
- A product page for wholemeal sourdough also includes freezing advice.
- That example is thick-sliced, not medium-sliced. Check the packaging of the loaf you choose.
Jumbo
Worth considering when allergen information is a key factor in your choice of bread.
- Jumbo explains where to find ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information.
- Jumbo says it can’t rule out cross-contamination in certain products packaged in store.
Lidl
A place to browse different types of freshly baked bread.
- Lidl provides a separate ingredients and allergen list for its freshly baked bread.
- Lidl says its fresh range may vary by store; check the slice thickness there too.
ALDI
An option for comparing half and whole wholemeal loaves.
- ALDI lists both sizes in its information about fresh daily bread.
- Check the packaging to see which option is medium-sliced.
PLUS
Worth considering if you want to browse wholemeal and half loaves online.
- The wholemeal bread category also includes half loaves.
- Open the individual product page for information about slice thickness, ingredients and allergens.
Dirk
A place to browse different types of bread and half wholemeal loaves.
- Dirk lists wholemeal, white, multigrain and sourdough bread, among other options.
- Check whether your chosen product is medium-sliced.
Bread options at Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose wholemeal or white bread for school-holiday lunches?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread for primary school children’s lunches. If your child enjoys wholemeal bread, you can then look at which slice thickness and quantity suit your lunches.
Does ‘medium-sliced’ tell me anything about the nutritional value?
No, slice thickness doesn’t tell you which ingredients, fibre, salt or allergens the bread contains. Check the information for the specific product, and consider slice thickness separately for ease of eating.
How can I tell whether bread is made with baker’s salt?
Check the ingredients list of your chosen loaf for baker’s salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends bread made with baker’s salt if iodine is a consideration. Don’t assume it’s included without checking the product.
Can I freeze bread for several days of the school holidays?
Follow the freezing instructions for the loaf you buy. For a specific whole, thick-sliced wholemeal sourdough loaf, Albert Heijn recommends freezing it on the day of purchase and using it within one month. Don’t automatically apply those instructions to other bread.
What should I check when buying bread for someone with an allergy?
Read the up-to-date ingredients and allergen information for the exact loaf you’re buying. If the bread is packaged in store, ask for further information if needed: Jumbo says cross-contamination can’t be ruled out for certain products of this kind.