Carers who want to introduce new flavours and crusts gently
For children who are wary of unfamiliar flavours or firm textures. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises offering a small portion and not forcing a child who does not want to eat.
Who are these choices relevant to?
Families considering wholemeal bread and iodine
For shoppers who want to check whether a loaf is wholemeal as well as whether it will be accepted. If bakers’ salt matters to your choice, you’ll need to check each loaf; the ‘sourdough’ label alone does not tell you.
Households with varying bread consumption
For households where only a small part of a loaf may be eaten. A small loaf, or one you can freeze in portions, makes it easier to use the amount you need.
What should you look for when buying?
Start with what makes eating bread difficult. Then compare the ingredients and choose a loaf size that suits the amount usually eaten.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and texture | Look at the crust and crumb, and consider whether you can serve a small piece first. | If a sour taste or firm crust makes it difficult to try, I want to know first whether a small piece will be accepted. Around 46% of consumers prioritise flavour and texture when making this choice. |
| Wholemeal bread and salt | Check for the ‘wholemeal’ label, the fibre per 100 g and, if relevant, bakers’ salt or iodised salt. | When the ingredients are what matter most to me, I don’t want to judge by the word ‘sourdough’ alone. Around 36% of consumers prioritise wholemeal bread and their choice of salt. |
| Portions and storage | Compare the loaf’s weight and its storage or baking instructions. | If we eat bread one day but hardly any the next, I don’t want to be left with a large amount each time. That’s why around 18% of consumers prioritise a practical loaf size. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming sourdough means wholemeal
‘Sourdough’ refers to the starter used, not whether the bread is made with wholemeal flour. So if you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread, you can’t rely on that label alone.
Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare the fibre per 100 g if that matters to your choice.
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Assuming all sourdough bread contains iodised salt
Using a sourdough starter does not tell you what type of salt is in the bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises checking whether bread contains bakers’ salt if you’re relying on it as a source of iodine.
Check the ingredients for bakers’ salt or iodised salt, or ask about it when buying unwrapped bread.
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Buying a large rustic loaf straight away
Albert Heijn describes sourdough bread as often having a crisp crust and a chewier centre. That texture may be exactly what makes a fussy eater reject a loaf.
First, offer a small piece without pressure, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises for a child who does not want to eat. Then choose a loaf size that suits how much you use.
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Overlooking allergens in unwrapped bread
Ingredients vary from product to product. Allergen information is important for bakery-counter bread too if someone has an allergy.
For packaged bread, read the current label. For unwrapped bread, ask for allergen information before buying.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
A useful starting point for comparing different sourdough breads, including one specifically labelled wholemeal.
- For AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren, Albert Heijn lists a weight of 600 g, iodised salt and 6,5 g of fibre per 100 g.
- These details apply to this product, not every sourdough loaf from Albert Heijn. Check the current packaging.
Jumbo
Worth considering if you want to browse rustic sourdough breads in store.
- Jumbo describes a range of rustic sourdough breads with different flavours.
- According to Jumbo, these breads are only available in store. Check the ingredients of the loaf you choose there.
PLUS
Worth considering if a small, part-baked multigrain sourdough loaf suits the portions you want.
- For Korenlanders Kleintje desembrood bruin meergranen, PLUS lists a weight of 300 g and provides ingredient and nutritional information.
- This product contains cereals containing gluten and soya, and may contain milk, sesame and lupin. Check the current packaging before buying.
Lidl
An option to check if you’re specifically looking for sourdough bread labelled wholemeal.
- Lidl describes Rustiek volkoren desembrood as wholemeal wheat sourdough bread.
- Check the current ingredients and allergen information for the loaf you want to buy.
Dirk
A range where you can compare individual breads, including sourdough, wholemeal and multigrain varieties.
- Dirk lists these types of bread in its bread category.
- For the product you choose, check the ingredients, wholemeal label and allergens separately.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does all sourdough bread contain iodised salt?
No, the label ‘sourdough’ tells you nothing about the salt used. If bakers’ salt matters to your choice, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises checking whether the bread was made with it. Look at the label or ask when buying unwrapped bread.
How can you encourage a fussy child to try sourdough bread?
Offer a small piece without forcing them. This follows the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice for children who do not want to eat. You can introduce a firm crust or unfamiliar flavour in a small portion first.
How do you check allergens in bread sold loose?
Ask for allergen information about the specific bread before buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must also be available for unwrapped products, so don’t rely on the type of bread alone.
What can you do if you keep having bread left over?
Choose a smaller loaf or freeze bread in portions, so you only defrost what you need. For wholemeal sourdough bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide recommends 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer. Also follow the storage instructions for the product you buy.