Parents keeping an eye on wholegrains and fibre
You want to serve rye bread more often at breakfast, so you compare the ingredients and fibre content of specific products rather than judging them by their appearance.
Who are these points relevant to?
Parents of a fussy breakfast eater
Your toddler leaves dark rye bread untouched. It may be worth comparing the flavour and texture of a lighter variety and starting with a small portion.
Parents checking allergens or childcare arrangements
You need to take gluten or grain allergens into account, or you’re packing breakfast to take along. Check the current label and ask the childcare provider or school what rules apply to food brought from home.
What should you check when choosing?
First, decide which quality matters most for your breakfast. Then compare the labels of the products you’re considering; words such as ‘light’, ‘Frisian’ or ‘premium’ don’t tell you everything about what’s inside.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrains and fibre | Read the ingredients and compare the fibre per 100 g shown on the packaging. | If rye bread is going to be a more regular feature at home, I want to know what the wholegrain base is. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Flavour and texture | Compare a lighter variety with dark or Frisian rye bread; you could start with a small portion. | If my toddler leaves dark rye bread untouched, I look for a variety they’ll be willing to try. Acceptance is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Allergens and baker’s salt | Check the types of grain and the allergens on the label, and look for baker’s salt if it’s relevant to your choice. | If I need to pack bread to take along or take a grain allergy into account, I want to know what’s in it and what arrangements the childcare provider has in place. This check is a priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Pack size and storage | Compare the weight, any stated number of slices and the storage instructions after opening. | If my toddler only eats rye bread occasionally, I want to choose a pack we can use in line with the storage instructions. This is the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘premium’ or a dark appearance means wholemeal
A product name or dark colour doesn’t tell you which grains have been used or how much fibre the bread contains.
Read the ingredients list and compare the nutritional information per 100 g on the packs you’re considering.
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Assuming rye bread is gluten-free
Rye contains gluten. Products may also contain wheat, so the current label is the best guide to the ingredients and allergens in the pack you choose.
If you follow a gluten-free diet, check that the specific product is explicitly labelled as gluten-free.
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Assuming all bread is made with baker’s salt
According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory. The product name won’t tell you whether it has been used.
Check the label for baker’s salt if it’s part of your product comparison.
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Choosing a large pack for occasional use
If you only eat small portions now and then, an opened pack may be left for longer than the storage instructions allow.
Choose a pack size that suits how much you eat at home, follow the instructions for storing it after opening and throw away any bread with visible mould.
A pack that isn’t used in time can lead to food waste.
Brands to consider
Bolletje
A brand to compare if you’re deciding between Frisian rye bread and a lighter wholemeal rye and wheat variety.
- According to Bolletje’s product description at Jumbo, the lighter variety contains wholemeal rye and wholemeal wheat flour, and has a milder flavour and lighter colour.
- Check the current ingredients, allergens and availability for each variety; the description of the lighter option doesn’t apply to all Bolletje rye bread.
Brood van Soma
A brand to browse if you want to compare different styles of rye bread and rye and wheat bread.
- Product names at Jumbo and PLUS give you a starting point for comparing styles and pack sizes.
- Don’t assume from the style name that every variety is wholemeal or contains the same allergens; check the label of the product you choose.
Van Dijk's
A brand to look at if you’re specifically searching for Frisian rye bread.
- Jumbo’s product range lists a Frisian rye bread from Van Dijk's.
- Before buying, check the ingredients, nutritional information, allergens and packaging of the variety in question.
Rye bread at Joybuy
These two rye bread products are options to compare for a toddler’s breakfast, looking at the packaging, ingredients and how they’ll be used at home. Their product names alone don’t tell you whether your toddler will enjoy the flavour or whether a particular portion is suitable.
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TastyBasics rye bread, 9 pieces
An option to compare if you’re looking for a pack of nine pieces for breakfast. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging, then decide what portion is right for breakfast.
Follow the pack’s instructions for storing the bread after opening.
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Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g
An option to consider if you’re looking at a 500 g pack and want to compare how much you use at home with the pack size. Check the product type and ingredients on the packaging before choosing based on a wholemeal claim.
Also check the current allergen and storage information, especially if you plan to pack the bread to take along.
Frequently asked questions
Is rye bread gluten-free?
No. Regular rye bread shouldn’t be considered gluten-free: rye is a grain that contains gluten. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires the type of grain to be stated in the ingredients list. If you follow a gluten-free diet, check the current label and only choose a product that is explicitly labelled as gluten-free.
Is rye bread always made with baker’s salt?
No. According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt isn’t compulsory when baking bread. Check the label to see whether the rye bread you choose is made with it, rather than assuming this from the type of bread.
How should I store rye bread after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the specific pack. Seal the packaging as directed and throw away any bread with visible mould.
How much bread should I give a child aged 1 to 3 at breakfast?
The Dutch Nutrition Centre recommends around two to three slices of bread a day, usually spread across breakfast and lunch. This is the total amount of bread, not a set number of slices of rye bread; slice sizes can vary from one product to another.