For a lunchbox you can rely on every day, choose seeded multigrain bread and check the label to see whether wholemeal flour is the main ingredient; the seeds and colour won’t tell you that. Think about the texture your child enjoys, and check the allergens and any school rules before packing it. If they need to eat gluten-free, choose bread that is clearly labelled gluten-free and suitable for their other dietary requirements.
For everyday sandwiches, you’ll want to check which flour is the main ingredient and how much fibre the bread contains per 100 g. According to the Voedingscentrum and the Nederlands Bakkerij Centrum, the types of flour used tell you more about the nutritional value than the term ‘multigrain’ alone.
Seeds can give bread a different texture. Check which ingredients are actually in or on the bread, and whether your child will enjoy taking it to school.
Seeded multigrain bread isn’t automatically gluten-free. Look for a clear gluten-free label, and check for any other allergens that are relevant to your child.
First, decide whether wholemeal flour, an enjoyable texture or an allergen is the main priority. Then compare the labels of breads that meet that key requirement.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal base and fibre | Check whether wholemeal flour is the main ingredient, then compare the fibre content per 100 g. | For everyday lunches, I want to compare the type of flour and fibre content rather than rely on the name of the bread. For around 40% of consumers, a wholemeal base is the main priority. |
| Flavour and texture | Check which seeds and kernels are in or on the bread, and whether a hearty bite sounds appealing. | A seeded sandwich only goes in the lunchbox if the pupil enjoys that texture. Flavour and texture come first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Gluten and other allergens | Read the latest allergen information, including any relevant ‘may contain’ statements. If needed, look for a clear gluten-free label. | If an allergen limits the choice, the bread needs to be suitable for what the pupil can eat and any school rules. This check is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
The term ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you whether wholemeal flour is the main ingredient. The Nederlands Bakkerij Centrum notes that the types of flour used affect the bread’s nutritional value.
Check the ingredients list and compare the fibre content per 100 g if that matters for your child’s lunch.
Seeded bread can contain other relevant allergens too. For example, the gluten-free seeded bread described by Jumbo contains soya and may contain almonds, egg and milk.
Read the allergen information on the packaging of the bread you choose, and bear in mind any school rules.
Albert Heijn warns that product information can change. An ingredients list you read previously may no longer match the packaging of the loaf you buy.
Check the packaging again before putting the bread in the lunchbox.
AH Zaans multigrain bread is a useful comparison if you’re looking for a whole loaf for everyday sandwiches.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Meerzaden Brood is worth considering if you need bread that is clearly labelled gluten-free.
Lidl describes a multigrain bread with a hearty texture and a mix of grains and seeds.
No. The colour and the term ‘multigrain’ don’t tell you whether wholemeal flour is the main ingredient. Check the ingredients list to see which flours have been used, and compare the fibre content per 100 g if needed.
Yes, some seeded breads are clearly labelled gluten-free, but you shouldn’t assume that regular multigrain bread is gluten-free. Check for other allergens too: Jumbo lists soya and the possible presence of almonds, egg and milk in its gluten-free seeded bread.
Check the bread’s ingredients list; the type of bread alone won’t tell you. For example, Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in the AH Zaans multigrain bread reviewed here, but that doesn’t tell you anything about other breads.
