Who is this bread choice relevant for?

Parents of fussy toddlers

If your child leaves bread with coarse grains or seeds, its texture may determine which loaf you offer first. Also check the types of flour used: a dark colour doesn’t tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal.

Parents who use wholemeal as their starting point

You want to be able to tell at breakfast whether a multigrain loaf actually contains wholemeal flour. Compare the ingredients list and, for packaged bread, the fibre content per 100 g.

Parents packing bread for nursery or school

You’ll want to know in advance which allergens the bread contains and what rules apply at nursery or school. Check the product information again if you buy a different variety or take unpackaged bread.

What should you look for when choosing?

Choose between wholemeal bread and a stepping stone based on what your toddler will accept. But check the types of flour on the label rather than judging by the bread’s colour or name.

Wholemeal multigrain bread

When: Your toddler accepts this type of bread and you want to choose a loaf that is clearly labelled wholemeal.

Consider: A variety with coarse grains or seeds may be less familiar to a fussy toddler, so choose the texture that works for each product.

A gradual stepping stone

When: Your toddler rejects the wholemeal bread you offer and you want to try a finer texture first.

Consider: Bread made with a mix of white and wholemeal flour isn’t fully wholemeal. Compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g when weighing up different varieties.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Texture and acceptance Check the texture of the bread you’ve chosen and try a manageable portion if your toddler refuses coarse grains or seeds. If my toddler leaves bread with coarse grains, I want to try a texture they’ll accept. For around 33% of consumers, acceptance would be their main concern when buying.
Wholemeal and fibre Check the wholemeal labelling and types of flour in the ingredients list; compare fibre on a like-for-like basis, per 100 g. I want to be able to tell whether the bread is genuinely wholemeal for breakfast, whatever its colour. For around 42% of consumers, choosing wholemeal would be the priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the allergen information and ask about it when buying unpackaged bread. Also check the rules at nursery or school. When I pack bread for my child, I want to know whether the ingredients meet their needs and comply with any rules that apply. For around 25% of consumers, ingredients and allergens would be their main concern.

Common mistakes when choosing multigrain bread

  • Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal

    According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain means a bread contains at least three types of grain. Albert Heijn explains that waldkorn bread can be made with wholemeal flour, white flour or a mix, so its name and colour don’t confirm which type of flour it contains.

    Look for the wholemeal label and check which types of flour are listed in the ingredients.

  • Assuming a product page means the item is still available

    Jumbo says that its Half Wholemeal Multigrain Bread is no longer part of its online range. A product page you’ve saved doesn’t therefore confirm that you can buy the bread now.

    When you buy, check the current packaging and availability of the variety you want.

  • Only checking for gluten

    As well as grains containing gluten, multigrain bread may contain other allergens. These vary by recipe and are important to check if you’re packing bread for your child.

    Read the full allergen statement, including any information about cross-contamination, and ask about the variety you’ve chosen if the bread is unpackaged.

  • Assessing bread without considering the portion and topping

    The portion you offer and what you put on the bread are also part of breakfast. In its sample menus for children aged 1 to 3, the Voedingscentrum emphasises taking into account what your child eats.

    Offer a manageable portion and check the ingredients and any allergens in the topping too.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Useful if you want to understand what the name waldkorn does and doesn’t tell you about a loaf.

  • Albert Heijn explains that waldkorn bread can be made with wholemeal flour, white flour or a mix.
  • So, assess each loaf by checking the ingredients list rather than relying on its name alone.

Jumbo

Useful when you want to compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for a specific variety of bread.

  • The product information for Jumbo Half Wholemeal Multigrain Bread gives you details to help assess the variety.
  • Jumbo says this product is no longer part of its online range, so check the availability of your chosen loaf again.

ALDI

Useful if you want to compare Farmer’s Wholemeal Multigrain Bread with other varieties.

  • ALDI describes this variety as bread containing grains and seeds.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the loaf you buy.

PLUS

Useful if smaller wholemeal multigrain rolls are a better fit for the breakfast you have in mind.

  • PLUS states that Korenlanders Wholemeal Multigrain Rolls contain 45% wholemeal wheat flour.
  • Check the full allergen statement for these rolls, including information about soya, milk, sesame and possible cross-contamination.

Lidl

Useful if you buy freshly baked bread and want to check the ingredients and allergens in advance.

  • Lidl provides an ingredients and allergens overview for its freshly baked bread range.
  • Check which information applies to the specific variety you choose.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain; that doesn’t tell you whether the flour used is wholemeal. Check the wholemeal labelling and the ingredients list on the loaf.

How much bread does a toddler aged 1 to 3 need, roughly?

The Voedingscentrum recommends around two to three slices of bread a day, usually split between breakfast and lunch. When offering food, also take your child’s appetite into account.

What should I look for if I’m choosing bread because of baker’s salt?

For packaged bread, check whether baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients. If the bread is unpackaged, ask about it. Don’t assume based on the type of bread alone: the information applies to each individual product.

How can I check allergens in unpackaged bread?

Ask the seller for the allergen information for the exact variety you want to buy. Check for grains containing gluten and any other allergens that are relevant to your child or to the rules at nursery or school.

Can I put peanut butter or nut butter on bread for a toddler?

The Voedingscentrum lists 100% peanut butter or nut butter with no added salt or sugar as a possible topping for children aged 1 to 3. Check the ingredients and take account of any diagnosed allergy and any rules at nursery or school.