Party planners catering for fussy eaters
If not every child likes the same flavour or texture, you can serve white and wholemeal rolls separately. That way, everyone can see which type they’re choosing.
A platter with clearly separated white and wholemeal rolls gives children and other guests a choice of two types. If you’d like to buy multigrain rolls as an alternative to wholemeal, check the product description and ingredients rather than relying on the name alone. Before the party, also check how to prepare each type, the pack size and any allergens.
If not every child likes the same flavour or texture, you can serve white and wholemeal rolls separately. That way, everyone can see which type they’re choosing.
You’d like to serve wholemeal rolls alongside white ones. If you choose a multigrain variety, check the label to see which wholemeal flour it contains rather than relying on the name.
If the rolls need to be ready at a set time, consider the number in each pack, storage instructions and preparation time for every variety you choose.
First decide which types of rolls you’d like to offer. Then check whether the quantity and preparation instructions on each pack fit your serving plans.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Choice for fussy eaters | For a mixed platter, choose both white and wholemeal rolls and keep the two types clearly separate. | If children leave rolls with seeds or a different texture, I also want to be able to offer a familiar white option. This choice comes first for around 42% of consumers. |
| A clearly labelled wholemeal option | Read the product description and ingredients; for multigrain rolls, check which wholemeal flour is listed. | I don’t want to offer guests who prefer wholemeal a product described only as multigrain without knowing what it contains. This is the main purchasing concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Preparation and quantity | Compare the number of rolls, storage instructions and preparation time for both packs. | When everything needs to be ready at the same time, I want to be able to prepare enough rolls using the oven space I have. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this when choosing. |
The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour a roll contains. For example, PLUS lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour and wholemeal rye flour in its multigrain rolls. Other products won’t necessarily have the same ingredients.
If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal rolls, choose a product labelled ‘wholemeal’. For multigrain rolls, check the ingredients on the specific pack.
Children and other guests won’t be able to tell straight away which texture they’re choosing.
Serve white and wholemeal rolls on separate platters or use simple labels, without suggesting that one type is the right choice for everyone.
A single roll and a pack of four call for different estimates of how many you’ll need. A frozen variety may also need different preparation from a roll that’s ready to serve.
Count the rolls in each pack and read the storage and preparation instructions before deciding how many of each type to buy.
The terms white, wholemeal and multigrain don’t give you a complete list of the ingredients and allergens in an individual product.
Check the current label on both varieties. If an allergy or coeliac disease has been mentioned, ask the child’s parent or carer which products are suitable.
Compare the specific white and wholemeal or multigrain varieties within each range; ingredients and preparation instructions can vary from one roll to another.
Albert Heijn lists a white roll and a wholemeal roll, so you can compare the nutritional information for these two products.
Jumbo’s range may include white, multigrain, brown and frozen rolls.
PLUS lists white and multigrain bake-at-home rolls, with product information covering ingredients and preparation.
Dirk lists white and multigrain rolls in packs of four.
ALDI lists a single white roll and includes white and wholemeal rolls in its wider range.
Lidl lists a white wheat roll that’s available in store only.
These white rolls can make up the white half of a mixed platter. Choose a separate wholemeal variety if you’d like to offer both types.
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A white option if you’d also like to serve rolls without a wholemeal label at the party.
The pack contains four rolls. Check the preparation instructions before serving, and read the current label if anyone has an allergy.
No. ‘Multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal. Check the product description and ingredients: PLUS lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour as well as wholemeal rye flour in its multigrain rolls, but other varieties may have different ingredients.
Follow the instructions for each variety you choose and take into account how many rolls will fit in the oven at once. PLUS recommends baking its white rolls for 6 to 8 minutes at 220 °C; don’t assume the same timings apply to multigrain or frozen rolls.
Read the current label for every roll you choose, including the ingredients and allergen warnings. Ask the child’s parent or carer which products are suitable; don’t assume a product is suitable based only on the terms white, wholemeal or multigrain.
You can’t tell from the type of roll alone. Some rolls from Jumbo and PLUS list iodised salt; if this matters to you, check the ingredients on the specific pack.