Parents who care about slice size
If sandwiches need to fit in a lunchbox and be easy to top, check the slices of the specific loaf. Don’t rely on the ‘medium-sliced’ label alone.
Who is this choice of bread for?
Families who alternate white bread with brown or wholemeal
If your secondary-school pupil enjoys white bread, their preference may be a factor. For everyday bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with brown or wholemeal bread as much as possible.
Parents who check allergens and school arrangements
If there’s an allergy or a school arrangement to consider, check the label on the exact loaf you’re packing. Check the ingredients and allergens again when you buy it next time, as product information can change.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide which type of bread your secondary-school pupil wants to eat. Then check the slices, the label and how much bread you’ll need for the lunches you’re planning.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slices and lunchbox | Check whether the bread is sliced and look at how thick the slices are. | I want sandwiches that fit in the lunchbox and stay whole when topped; around 24% of consumers put this practical consideration first. |
| Everyday bread choice | Compare white, brown and wholemeal bread; if you like, check the fibre per 100 g on the label. | If bread is packed for every school day, I want to weigh up the preference for white bread against brown or wholemeal. Around 29% of consumers give this choice the highest priority. |
| Allergens and school arrangements | Read the allergen information and any warnings about possible traces; also check the school’s arrangements. | If there’s an allergy or a school arrangement to consider, I want to know whether this particular bread can be packed; around 29% of consumers put this check first. |
| Freshness and how much to buy | Check the best-before date and storage advice; choose a whole or half loaf to suit the number of lunches. | I plan several lunches ahead and don’t want to open more bread than I can use. For around 18% of consumers, how much to buy and freshness are the main concerns. |
Common mistakes
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Relying on the ‘medium-sliced’ label
The product name alone won’t tell you whether the slices will fit the lunchbox or suit the toppings and portion size you want.
Look at the slices or ask in store about their thickness before buying several loaves.
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Treating white and wholemeal bread as the same everyday choice
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with brown or wholemeal bread as much as possible.
Balance this recommendation against what your secondary-school pupil actually eats, and use white bread for variety if needed.
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Checking a product page for allergen information alone
Ingredients and allergen information can change. The bread you buy needs to be suitable for the allergy in question and any school arrangements.
Read the current packaging, including any warnings about possible traces of allergens.
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Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan
A whole loaf may be more than you can use in time if you only need a few school lunches.
Choose an amount that suits your needs or follow the freezing instructions on the packaging. PLUS says to freeze its Boeren wit heel on the day of purchase.
Supermarket brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s online white bread range includes both half and whole loaves.
- You can browse different types of loaf before choosing.
- Check the slices, ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the loaf you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo is a supermarket brand you could consider when choosing bread.
- Check the slices and label of the specific loaf before choosing it for a school lunch.
Lidl
Lidl describes an 800 g oven-fresh white loaf that, according to its product page, is available in store only.
- Lidl provides information about the ingredients and allergens in its oven-fresh bread.
- Lidl refers customers to the packaging for ingredients specific to the product; check the slices and allergens there too.
Aldi
Aldi describes a whole, tin-shaped white loaf online.
- The product page helps you identify the shape of the loaf.
- When you buy it, check that the slices are the thickness you want.
Plus
Plus provides information about ingredients, allergens and storage for its Boeren wit heel loaf.
- For this particular loaf, Plus lists wheat, soya and milk, among other ingredients, and provides freezing advice.
- The product described is a whole loaf. Check the current packaging for the slices and allergens in the bread you buy.
Dirk
Dirk’s online search results show various white breads, including whole and half casino-style white loaves.
- The search results show which types of loaf you can compare.
- Check the slices, ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the loaf you choose.
Joybuy products for school lunches
Matching products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is white bread suitable for everyday school lunches?
White bread can be packed if your secondary-school pupil enjoys it, but the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing it with brown or wholemeal bread as much as possible for everyday meals. Also consider how much of the lunch your pupil actually eats.
How can I tell if the slices are the right thickness?
Look at the slices of the specific loaf rather than relying on the product name alone. Check that the bread is sliced and that the slices suit the lunchbox and toppings.
Which allergens should I check in white bread?
Always check the allergens for the specific bread on the current packaging. For its Boeren wit heel loaf, PLUS lists wheat, soya and milk, among other ingredients; other products may have a different composition. Also bear in mind any arrangements the school has in place for allergens.
Can I freeze white bread for several school days?
Follow the storage advice for the bread you choose. PLUS recommends freezing Boeren wit heel at home on the day of purchase and using it within one month; don’t assume the same advice applies to another product.