Parents looking for bread that’s quick to fill
If you mainly want to know whether the slices will fit in a lunchbox and how to store the bread you choose, check the packaging to make sure it is medium-sliced.
Choose medium-sliced white bread for your child’s lunchbox if they enjoy soft white sandwiches and the slices fit well. Check the latest allergen information for the bread you choose, along with any school rules. For everyday lunches, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as often as possible.
If you mainly want to know whether the slices will fit in a lunchbox and how to store the bread you choose, check the packaging to make sure it is medium-sliced.
If you need to check the allergens in a particular loaf and any school rules before packing lunch, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked bread.
If you’re weighing up a preference for white bread against wholemeal or brown bread as the basis for everyday lunches, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with these types as often as possible.
Start with the slice size and your lunchbox. Then check the label on the bread you’ve chosen and consider which type of bread you want to use for everyday lunches.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice size and ease of use | Check that the bread is medium-sliced and that the slices fit in the lunchbox. | I want to make sandwiches quickly and pack them without awkward folding. For around 40% of consumers, practicality comes first. |
| Allergens and school rules | Read the latest allergen information, including any warnings, and check the school’s rules if needed. | If an allergy or school rule is a factor, I want to know whether this particular bread can go in the lunchbox. For around 30% of consumers, this check is the top priority. |
| Type of bread and fibre | Compare white, brown and wholemeal bread; check the fibre content per 100 g for the product you choose. | For everyday lunches, I want to consider fibre and choose bread my child will eat. For around 30% of consumers, this is the most important consideration. |
Allergen information varies from product to product. For example, Jumbo’s White Bread and Half White Toast Bread, which were checked for this article, do not list the same allergens and warnings.
Every time you buy bread, check the ingredients, listed allergens and any warnings for the product you’ve chosen.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as often as possible.
If your child enjoys white bread, see whether alternating it with brown or wholemeal bread works for your school lunches.
Rules about bringing lunches from home may vary by school, class or individual care plan.
Check which rules apply to your child, and also check the allergen information for the bread itself.
Albert Heijn lists several types of white bread online, including sliced loaves, half loaves and whole loaves.
Jumbo lists white bread products online, including a whole white loaf and white toast bread.
Lidl includes white bread in its range and provides a separate ingredients and allergen guide for freshly baked bread.
Aldi offers freshly baked white bread in half and whole loaves.
Plus lists several types of white bread online, including casino, farmhouse-style and round loaves.
Dirk’s online search results include casino, round and farmhouse-style white bread.
Check for cereals containing gluten and for wheat if they’re relevant to your child or to a school rule. For prepacked bread, read the label; for unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information before buying.
No. Ordinary white wheat bread is not a substitute for gluten-free bread. If you choose an alternative, look for the explicit ‘gluten-free’ label and check the other allergen information too.
Follow the storage instructions for the bread you buy. The Albert Heijn and Jumbo product information checked recommends storing bread in a dry place; Albert Heijn’s white bread listing also advises that it can be frozen. Check whether this advice applies to the bread you’ve chosen.