If fibre and nutritional value are your priorities when choosing bread for your child, check that the multigrain bread is explicitly labelled wholemeal: ‘multigrain’ on its own doesn’t tell you that. If you’re mainly looking for a slice that can hold a topping, check its actual thickness and texture; ‘substantial’ or ‘rustic’ doesn’t indicate a standard slice thickness. Before packing it, also check the latest allergen information and the rules at your child’s school or after-school club.
For parents who pay close attention to grain type and fibre when choosing bread for their children. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as a type of bread that is high in fibre; with multigrain bread, check separately whether it is wholemeal.
For anyone packing a bread snack for school or an after-school club and needing to check allergen information and local rules as well as the texture. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using a sturdy lunchbox that closes securely.
For anyone who wants a thicker slice that stays intact when topped. Look at the slices themselves or ask the baker how the bread can be sliced: a product name containing ‘substantial’ doesn’t guarantee a particular thickness.
First decide whether wholemeal, a sturdy base for a snack or the requirements for packing it are your main priority. Then check the information for the bread you’re actually choosing.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for an explicit wholemeal label; don’t rely on the name ‘multigrain’, the colour or visible seeds alone. | If fibre is the main reason I’m choosing this bread for my child, I want to know whether it really is wholemeal. Around 40% of consumers put this check first. |
| A substantial slice | Look at the actual slice and its texture, or ask whether the bread can be cut into thicker slices. | For a snack with a topping, I want a slice that stays intact while I prepare it and is enjoyable for my child to eat. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Packing and ingredients | Read the latest allergen information and ask about the rules at your child’s school or after-school club; check whether baker’s salt is listed if needed. | When I pack bread for my child, it needs to suit any allergens that need to be considered and meet the rules at the school or club. This matters most to around 30% of consumers. |
The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you whether the whole grain has been used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain products contain more fibre and other nutrients than products made with refined flour.
Check for a wholemeal label separately, then assess the slice and texture.
Jumbo lists a bread called ‘Stevig Meergranen’ (‘Substantial Multigrain’), but the name doesn’t specify a thickness in millimetres. The crust and seeds can also affect how easy a slice is for a child to eat.
Look at the sliced bread or ask the baker how thick it can be cut.
A category name is no substitute for checking the allergen information for the bread you choose. There may also be local rules for food brought to school or an after-school club.
Read the latest packaging or ask for the allergen information if the bread isn’t packaged. Check the rules at the school or club in advance, too.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists baker’s salt as a possible source of added iodine. That doesn’t tell you which type of salt has been used in a particular multigrain bread.
Check the ingredients or ask the baker if this is relevant to your choice.
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Liefde & Passie sliced multigrain bread and AH OerDesem dark multigrain bread.
Jumbo lists both Stevig Meergranen and wholemeal multigrain products.
PLUS has a multigrain bread category and lists products including Soma Haverkorn multigrain bread.
These breads are worth considering if you want to judge the shape and slices for yourself when choosing a snack. The product names confirm that they’re multigrain, but not that they’re wholemeal or thickly sliced; check these details and the allergen information before serving.
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A round loaf to consider if you’d like to check the slices yourself for a snack with a topping.
The product name lists two 550 g loaves. Before packing, check the slice thickness, wholemeal labelling and latest allergen information.
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If you want to cut your own portions for a snack, the baguette shape offers an alternative to a round loaf.
The product name lists four 135 g baguettes. ‘Rustic’ doesn’t guarantee a thick slice; check the wholemeal labelling and latest allergen information, too.
No, the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that the bread is wholemeal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between wholegrain products and products made with refined flour, so look for an explicit wholemeal label on the bread you choose.
No, check the allergen information for each product. Multigrain bread may contain cereals with gluten, while gluten-free multigrain products are also available. For packaged bread, read the latest label; for unpackaged bread, ask what allergen information is available.
No, don’t assume so without checking the product information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists baker’s salt as a possible source of added iodine; check the ingredients for the bread you choose or ask the baker.
Use a sturdy lunchbox that closes securely, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Before packing, check the rules at the school or after-school club, along with the allergen information for the bread and its topping.
