Wholemeal or brown bread is a sensible choice for a school lunch: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends both and highlights the fibre in wholemeal bread. If you’re looking for a different flavour or texture, wholemeal sourdough could be a good option. However, a premium name, dark colour or sourdough label doesn’t in itself mean the bread is wholemeal. Also check that it’s practical to pack and that its allergens are suitable for your child and your school’s requirements.
For anyone who focuses mainly on the type of bread and its nutritional information when packing lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread for school lunches and highlights the fibre in wholemeal bread.
For anyone considering wholemeal sourdough, crusty bread or finely milled wholemeal bread, depending on what their child enjoys eating. For each option, check the wholemeal label, allergens and how easy it is to slice or pack.
For anyone who needs to take a specific allergy or dietary requirement into account when choosing bread. Read the allergen information for your chosen option and make sure the packed lunch follows the school’s requirements.
Start with the type of bread you want and the flavour your child enjoys. Then check the packaging and how much preparation is needed. If there’s an allergy or a specific school requirement, check that before considering other preferences.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal as a staple | Look for a wholemeal label and check the ingredients and nutritional information; don’t judge by colour alone. | If I mainly want to pack wholemeal bread for everyday lunches, I want to be able to see what type of bread I’m buying. For around 37% of consumers, wholemeal is the top priority. |
| Flavour and texture | Check whether sourdough, a fine texture, a firm crust or seeds suit your child’s preferences. | If my child leaves coarse bread uneaten, I look for a texture they’ll enjoy without losing sight of the type of bread I want. Around 27% of consumers prioritise flavour and texture above all else. |
| Everyday packing | Check the size, whether the bread is pre-sliced and what preparation is needed. If it’s fresh bread, check local availability too. | On school days, I want to be able to pack bread in a way that fits our morning routine. For around 18% of consumers, convenience is the most important factor. |
| Allergens and requirements | Read the allergen information for the option you’re considering and check the school’s requirements. | If there’s an allergy or a specific school requirement, I first need to know whether this bread is suitable. For around 18% of consumers, this is the first thing they check when buying. |
A dark colour, rustic name or sourdough method doesn’t in itself tell you whether bread is wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread contains more fibre and other nutrients than white bread.
Look for a wholemeal label and read the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific option.
Allergen information matters for unpackaged bread too. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that this information must be available before purchase.
Check the label on packaged bread and ask for allergen information when buying unpackaged bread. Ask about cross-contamination if that’s relevant for your child.
Lidl says that its fresh bread range may vary between stores. So, you can’t assume your usual option will be available at every shop.
Check local availability and have another suitable type of bread in mind for the school lunch.
Information from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority about iodine in bread doesn’t mean that every individual type of bread is made with iodised baker’s salt.
If this ingredient matters to you, check the product information or ask the baker.
The Liefde & Passie range includes wholemeal sourdough bread, which could suit a lunch where both flavour and wholemeal ingredients matter.
Jumbo offers options including Dubbel Donker Desem Volkorenbrood and organic wholemeal sourdough rolls.
Lidl describes a kids’ bread made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour and also offers wholemeal sourdough bread.
ALDI offers Fijn Volkoren and a wholemeal option that’s particularly high in fibre.
PLUS offers Korenlanders Kleintje desembrood volkoren maanzaad and wholemeal sourdough rolls.
Dirk offers options including Bakker van der Akker Boeren Extra vezels volkoren and wholemeal crusty bread.
These options include wholemeal flatbread for a lunch that requires little preparation, and wholemeal sourdough round loaves that need to be baked and sliced before use. Choose based on the type of bread you want, the time you have for preparation and the allergen information.
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This wholemeal flatbread is a good choice for a lunch that doesn’t require you to slice the bread. Before packing it, check the allergen information: the product details list wheat and gluten, and possible traces of soya and milk.
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This pack of two wholemeal round loaves is a good choice if you can prepare the bread in advance. Allow it to defrost, bake it and let it cool before slicing. Also check the allergen information for wheat and gluten.
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This 550 g wholemeal round loaf is a good choice if one loaf better suits your needs. It needs to be defrosted, baked and cooled before slicing. Also check the allergen information for wheat and gluten.
Wholemeal or brown bread is a good basis for a school lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends both types for this meal and points out that wholemeal bread in particular contains fibre, vitamins and minerals. Also consider whether your child enjoys the option you choose.
No. Sourdough describes how the bread is made; it doesn’t prove that it’s wholemeal. Look for an explicit wholemeal label and check the ingredients of the option you’re buying.
Check the label on packaged bread and ask for allergen information before buying unpackaged bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes both ways of providing this information. Also check the school’s requirements for packed lunches.
No, there’s no general preference for gluten-free bread for school lunches. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, someone with coeliac disease can’t tolerate gluten. If your child needs to avoid gluten, check the label and other allergen information for the specific bread.
No, you can’t assume that every type of bread is made with iodised baker’s salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes bread baked with iodised salt as an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, but that doesn’t tell you which salt was used in an individual product. Check the product information or ask the baker.
