For a regular mealtime with children, use brown or wholemeal bread as your starting point; the Voedingscentrum recommends these types as the standard choice. The words ‘multigrain’ and ‘sourdough’ don’t tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal. Then choose a format that suits how you’ll serve it or pack it, and check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of each loaf.
For a regular mealtime, they want to know whether a multigrain sourdough loaf is also brown or wholemeal, and how much fibre it contains per 100 g. The Voedingscentrum recommends brown and wholemeal bread as the standard choice for children.
For them, the allergens listed on the label and the rules on bringing or sharing food are important. The Voedingscentrum lists cereals containing gluten among the allergens that must be declared.
Sliced bread can be topped in advance, bake-at-home rolls need some preparation, and fresh bakery bread is ideal for serving straight away. The most convenient option depends on when the children will be eating.
Best for: preparing sandwiches in advance and cutting your own portions. The Albert Heijn loaf described can be frozen on the day of purchase.
Bear in mind: check the packaging again when serving, especially if allergens are a concern.
Best for: tea time when you want to serve individual rolls or bake them just before eating.
Bear in mind: baking them adds an extra preparation step compared with bread that’s ready to serve.
Best for: serving straight after a trip to the shops, especially if you’d like a crusty loaf.
Bear in mind: Jumbo says its fresh bakery sourdough loaves can’t be ordered online.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Type of bread and fibre | Check whether the bread is brown or wholemeal, and compare the fibre per 100 g. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ tells you which types of grain have been used, not whether the flour is wholemeal. | If bread is a regular part of tea time, I want to be able to compare the type of bread and its fibre content. Around 42% of consumers give this choice top priority. |
| Allergens and packing | Read the allergen information on the current packaging and ask the school or childcare setting what rules apply to bringing and sharing food. | If the bread is going to school or childcare, I want to know what’s in it and whether I’m allowed to share it. For around 33% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
| Portions and when you’ll serve it | Check whether you can slice it in advance, need to bake it first or want to serve it straight after buying. Also consider whether the crust and texture will suit the children who’ll be eating it. | When each child needs their own portion, I want to be able to divide it up without rushing or bake it in good time. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain means that at least three types of grain have been used. The word doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal.
Check the name of the bread and the ingredients list, and compare the fibre per 100 g for similar loaves.
Sourdough describes how bread is leavened; it doesn’t make bread made with gluten-containing grains gluten-free. Other allergens can also vary from product to product.
Check the allergen information for the exact loaf. If you need a gluten-free option, look for a product that is explicitly labelled gluten-free.
Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional information and allergen information can change. This makes the packaging especially important when buying bread for a child with an allergy.
Compare products online first, but check the packaging of the loaf you’ve bought again before serving or packing it.
Jumbo says its freshly baked bakery sourdough loaves can’t be ordered online. If you need bread just before tea time, you’ll need to allow for a trip to the shop.
Check availability at your local shop if you want to serve this type of bread, or choose an option you can buy in advance.
The AH Biologisch OerDesem bio meergranen heel gesneden loaf described is an 800 g sliced loaf.
Jumbo offers both part-baked multigrain sourdough rolls and freshly baked bakery sourdough bread, including a brown multigrain option.
The 250 g Bio Organic Rustieke Meergranen Baguette described is a multigrain sourdough baguette that needs baking.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but the name doesn’t tell you whether it’s wholemeal. Check the name of the bread and the ingredients list; you can also compare the fibre per 100 g.
Ordinary multigrain sourdough bread isn’t automatically gluten-free, so check that the exact product is explicitly labelled gluten-free. Also check the packaging for allergens, and be mindful of contact with other bread when preparing and sharing food.
First, read the allergen information on the packaging and ask what rules apply to bringing and sharing food. The Voedingscentrum points out that schools providing food must give allergen information; this won’t tell you what rules your child’s school or childcare setting follows.
Check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt; the words ‘multigrain’ and ‘sourdough’ don’t tell you either way. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in the AH Biologisch OerDesem bread described.
