For your child’s school lunch, start by choosing bread whose product information confirms that it’s wholemeal; seeds add texture, but they don’t automatically make bread wholemeal. If your child leaves larger seeds or crusts uneaten, finely textured wholemeal bread may be a more practical choice. Check the allergens for the exact bread you choose, and follow your school’s rules.
You’re looking for a wholemeal base and comparing the fibre per 100 g; seeds are an optional extra for texture. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread for children, noting their fibre content.
You want to pack a sandwich your child will actually eat at school. Finely textured wholemeal bread is an option if visible seeds or a coarse crust aren’t to their taste. For example, Lidl describes a kids’ wholemeal loaf made with finely milled wholemeal flour.
If your child has a food allergy or a prescribed diet, the information for the exact bread matters. Check the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings, and make sure the lunch you pack follows your school’s rules.
Start with the wholemeal base and nutritional information, then consider whether your child will like the texture. Always check for relevant allergens before packing the lunch.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who does this matter most to? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal base and fibre | Read the product name and ingredients, then compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. | I want to pack a wholemeal sandwich, so visible seeds aren’t the deciding factor. For around 43% of consumers, a wholemeal base comes first when making this choice. |
| A texture your child will eat | Look at the visible seeds, crust and shape of the bread; try a new type at home first. | If my child leaves larger seeds uneaten, I’d rather choose a finer-textured slice they’ll eat at school. Around 29% of consumers prioritise taste and texture above all else. |
| Allergens and school rules | Check the latest allergen information for the exact bread and ask about your school’s rules. | If my child has a relevant allergy or dietary requirement, I need to know what’s in their lunch before I pack it. This is the top priority for around 28% of consumers. |
Bread with seeds or several types of grain isn’t necessarily made with a wholemeal base. This could lead you to misjudge the nutritional value of two different loaves.
Check the product name and ingredients for wholemeal flour, then compare the fibre per 100 g and the texture you’re looking for.
Other ingredients, such as sesame, soya or milk, may also matter if your child has a relevant allergy. Having bought the same brand before doesn’t replace checking the specific product you’ve chosen.
Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, including any warnings. If you’re buying unwrapped bread, ask for allergen information before you buy.
Seeds, kernels and a firm crust may put your child off eating the sandwich, even if the ingredients suit your preferences.
Try a new bread at home first. If your child doesn’t like the coarse texture, look for a finer-textured wholemeal option.
Sandwiches that come home uneaten can also contribute to food waste.
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may be added to bread using baker’s salt. This doesn’t tell you which salt was used in a particular loaf.
If you want to know whether a particular bread is made with baker’s salt, check the product information rather than assuming based on the type of bread.
Albert Heijn’s online range includes wholemeal bread with sunflower seeds and multiseed bread.
Jumbo’s range includes finely textured wholemeal bread and wholemeal multigrain varieties.
Lidl describes multigrain bread with seeds and a kids’ wholemeal loaf made with finely milled wholemeal flour.
ALDI’s bread range includes wholemeal multigrain bread and multigrain rolls.
Under the Korenlanders name, PLUS offers wholemeal multigrain rolls and multigrain bread, among other products.
Dirk offers wholemeal and multigrain bread, including a multigrain hearth loaf with grains and seeds.
This option may suit you if you’re looking for a seeded texture and have time to bake the bread at home before packing it for school. If you’re choosing based on wholemeal content, fibre or allergens, check the information on the packaging.
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An option if you’re looking for a seeded texture and have time at home to defrost and bake the bread.
Check the baking instructions on the packaging before preparing it. The name Multigrain doesn’t confirm that the bread is wholemeal. Check the latest product information for this, the fibre per 100 g and allergens.
No. Several types of grain or seeds don’t, by themselves, confirm that the bread has a wholemeal base. If wholemeal is your top priority, check the product name and ingredients for the exact bread you’re considering.
Check all allergens relevant to your child, not just cereals containing gluten. For example, the product information for PLUS Korenlanders Wholemeal Multigrain Rolls also lists soya, milk and sesame. This doesn’t tell you what’s in another type of bread. Read the latest packaging, and if you’re buying unwrapped bread, ask for allergen information before you buy.
Pack your child’s lunch in line with your school’s rules, especially if there are rules about allergens, sharing food or crumbs. Also check that the bread you choose suits your child’s allergies or dietary requirements.
No. Don’t assume that all bread is made with baker’s salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies bread made with baker’s salt as a source of iodine. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may be added to bread using baker’s salt. Check the product information if this matters to your choice.
