Parents who want to serve wholemeal bread every day
You want to be able to see on the packaging that a loaf is wholemeal, rather than relying on its dark colour or the name ‘multigrain’.
Who is this choice important for?
Parents of a fussy toddler
You’re looking for wholemeal bread in a shape or with a texture your child likes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests serving a slice of bread cut into small pieces as a practical option.
Households with allergies or childcare arrangements to consider
You need to check the allergen information on the current packaging and find out what arrangements the childcare provider or school has in place before sending bread with your child.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking that the bread is labelled wholemeal, then compare the loaves you’re considering for breakfast. The texture, nutritional information and allergens will help you decide which option suits your needs.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal or just multigrain | Look for an explicit wholemeal label and read the ingredients list. The name ‘multigrain’ on its own does not prove that the bread is wholemeal. | If I want to serve wholemeal bread every day, I don’t want to rely on the name of the bread alone. Around 50% of consumers prioritise this reassurance. |
| Texture and how it’s served | Check whether the shape and crumb are right for what your child can eat; cut a slice of bread into small pieces if needed. | If my toddler struggles with a slice of bread, it matters whether I can serve it easily. This is the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
| Allergens and salt | Read the current allergen information and compare the salt content per 100 g in similar breads. Also check any arrangements made by the childcare provider or school. | I want to know whether the bread fits our allergy or childcare arrangements, and how much salt it contains. Around 20% of consumers prioritise checking this information on the label. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ tells you how many types of grain the bread contains, not whether the flour is wholemeal.
Check the wholemeal label and ingredients list for the specific loaf before choosing it for a wholemeal breakfast.
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Taking the colour or seeds as proof
A dark colour or visible seeds don’t tell you whether a loaf is actually wholemeal. Breads with similar names can also have different ingredients.
Compare products that are explicitly labelled wholemeal by checking their nutritional information and allergens, rather than judging them by appearance.
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Not checking allergens and salt again
Bread recipes can vary. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that, if you have a food allergy, the information on the label is important.
Read the packaging of the bread you buy and compare the salt per 100 g when choosing between similar varieties.
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Assuming every loaf contains iodised salt
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out the conditions under which iodine compounds may be present in bread through bakers’ salt. This does not mean that every loaf contains iodised salt.
If you want to know which salt has been used in a particular loaf, check the ingredients list or ask the baker.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists both standard wholemeal bread and wholemeal multigrain bread, including Zaans volkoren and waldkorn volkoren varieties.
- The product pages distinguish wholemeal wheat bread from wholemeal multigrain bread and provide nutrition information for each product.
- Check the packaging when you buy: ingredients, nutritional values and allergens may change.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range includes several breads explicitly labelled as wholemeal multigrain, in both full and half loaves.
- The product names make it easier to identify wholemeal multigrain varieties.
- Check the label of your chosen variety for ingredients, nutritional information and allergens.
ALDI
ALDI lists Boeren volkoren meergranen alongside other wholemeal breads in its range.
- ALDI describes Boeren volkoren meergranen as bread containing grains and seeds.
- Check the packaging of the variety available; the range may vary from store to store.
Lidl
Lidl lists wholemeal and multigrain bread, including a wholemeal kids’ loaf.
- Lidl says its kids’ loaf is made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour. For freshly baked bread, Lidl publishes ingredient and allergen information.
- Finely milled flour doesn’t guarantee that your child will like the texture; also check the details of the loaf you buy.
PLUS
PLUS lists products including Korenlanders volkoren-meergranenbollen and boerenvolkorenbrood.
- PLUS says its wholemeal multigrain rolls can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
- Check the packaging for up-to-date ingredients, nutritional information and allergens.
Dirk
Dirk lists vloerbrood volkoren and vloerbrood meergranen separately.
- The separate product names make it clear that ‘multigrain’ and ‘wholemeal’ are not used as interchangeable descriptions.
- Don’t treat vloerbrood meergranen as a wholemeal variety without checking the ingredients.
Wholemeal bread at Joybuy
These two products suit anyone looking for standard wholemeal wheat bread. They aren’t labelled as multigrain bread; if you’re specifically looking for wholemeal multigrain bread, check both the wholemeal label and the packaging of another variety.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij wholemeal round farmhouse loaf 550 g
An option if you’re looking for wholemeal bread but don’t need it to be multigrain.
The product name specifies a 550 g loaf. Allow time to defrost and bake it before serving.
Compare the fibre and salt per 100 g using the current packaging. If you have allergy or childcare arrangements to consider, check the allergen information too.
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Souq Lebanese wholemeal flatbread 6 P
A wholemeal option if flatbread suits your breakfast; this product is not multigrain bread.
The product name identifies this variety as 6 P. Check the packaging for the current ingredients, allergens and nutritional information per 100 g.
If you’re sending it to childcare or school, check whether the bread meets their allergy requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but this doesn’t tell you whether the flour used is wholemeal. If you want wholemeal bread, look for an explicit wholemeal label and check the ingredients list.
How much wholemeal bread does the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommend for a young child or toddler?
For children aged 1 to 3, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends 70–90 g of wholemeal bread a day, or around two to three slices. This is a daily guideline, not an amount to eat at one breakfast.
How can I make a slice of bread easier for my toddler to eat?
If needed, you can cut the slice into small pieces, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests. Ideally, choose a wholemeal variety with a shape and texture that work for your child, while still checking the label.
Does all Dutch bread contain iodised salt?
You can’t tell from the type of bread alone. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out conditions for using iodine compounds in bread through bakers’ salt, but this doesn’t tell you which salt is in a specific loaf. Check the ingredients list or ask the baker.
What should I check if my childcare provider or school has allergy requirements?
Read the current allergen information for the bread and follow the childcare provider’s or school’s requirements; don’t rely on the bread’s name alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses the importance of checking labels if you have a food allergy. It also highlights the risk of gluten contact when following a gluten-free diet.