For a daily school lunch, start with bread labelled ‘wholemeal’, then check that the slice thickness suits the filling and lunchbox. Before packing, read the allergen information for your chosen bread and check any school rules. ‘Fine’ or ‘sliced’ doesn’t automatically mean medium-sliced.
You’re looking for bread that’s easy for your child to take to school and eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists wholemeal bread as an option for a school meal; you’ll also need to check which slices and fillings work for this lunch.
You want to know before buying which allergens the bread contains or may contain. If your child has dietary restrictions, or the school has rules in place, check these before putting the bread in their lunchbox.
Choose a whole or half loaf to suit the number of lunches you’re planning, and check the storage instructions for the product you’ve chosen.
Check for any allergen restrictions and school rules before packing bread for lunch. Then choose based on the bread’s description, slice thickness and how much your household will use.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging. Compare the stated fibre content per 100 g of the breads you’re considering. | For everyday sandwiches, I want to know whether the bread is genuinely wholemeal and how much fibre it contains. Around 36% of consumers give wholemeal and fibre top priority. |
| Allergens and school rules | Read the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statements for the exact bread. For unpackaged bread, ask about allergens and check the school’s rules. | If allergens are a concern for my child or at school, I want to know whether this bread is allowed before packing it. Around 29% of consumers put this check first. |
| Slice thickness and lunchbox convenience | Check the actual slices: ‘fine’ or ‘sliced’ doesn’t confirm that they’re medium-sized. Make sure a filled sandwich will fit in the lunchbox. | I want my filled sandwich to fit without being squashed and be easy to eat during the break. Slice thickness and lunchbox convenience come first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Loaf size and storage | Choose a whole or half loaf to suit the number of sandwiches you need, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. | I want enough bread for the lunches I’ve planned, without leaving unused slices to go stale. For around 14% of consumers, managing their bread supply is the biggest priority. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, brown bread is a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour. So the brown colour doesn’t replace the ‘wholemeal’ label.
Check the bread description on the packaging first, then assess the slice thickness.
A bread’s name doesn’t tell you which allergens it may contain. For Fijn Volkoren, Jumbo lists wheat, barley and gluten, among other allergens, as well as warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.
Read the information for the exact bread you’re buying. For unpackaged bread, ask about allergens before buying and check the school’s rules too, if needed.
A whole loaf won’t necessarily suit the number of lunches you’re packing. Freezing instructions also apply to the specific product.
Work out how many sandwiches you need and choose your loaf size accordingly. If you freeze the bread, follow the instructions on the packaging you’ve chosen.
Albert Heijn provides product information for AH Vloerbrood volkoren heel.
Jumbo describes Fijn Volkoren as a wholemeal wheat loaf.
Lidl provides an ingredients and allergen overview for freshly baked bread.
Aldi describes Fijn Volkoren as sliced bread and also offers a separate extra-high-fibre wholemeal loaf.
Plus publishes product information for Boeren volkoren heel.
Dirk offers, among other options, whole and half wholemeal loaves.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread labelled ‘wholemeal’ is made from 100% wholemeal flour, while brown bread is a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour. Neither label tells you how thick the slices are.
No, don’t assume it does. Check the ingredients list for your chosen bread to see whether baker’s salt is listed; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that bread made with baker’s salt is a source of iodine.
For pre-packed bread, read the allergen information on the label, including any warnings about possible traces. For unpackaged bread, ask about allergens before buying; also check any school rules before packing the lunch.
Yes, if the storage instructions for your chosen bread say you can. Plus states that Boeren volkoren heel can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month; for other bread, follow the instructions on its packaging.
