When choosing a sourdough roll for a toddler, don’t focus on the word ‘sourdough’ alone: first check whether it’s wholemeal, brown or white. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible. Also check the allergens on the current label and, if the roll is going to school or childcare, the rules there. For bake-at-home rolls, preparation and storage matter too.
If you’re choosing between white, brown and wholemeal bread for your toddler’s breakfast, compare the type of flour and fibre per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible.
If the roll is going to school or childcare, check both the ingredients and warnings on the current label, as well as the rules in place there. The cereals and other allergens listed vary from product to product.
Storage and preparation instructions vary for fresh, long-life and frozen sourdough rolls. Choose a product format that fits the time you have and the way you store food as part of your morning routine.
Start with the type of bread and the current label. Then check whether the product format is practical for the morning you want to serve or pack the roll.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Type of bread and fibre | Check whether the roll is wholemeal, brown or white. Compare fibre on the same basis, per 100 g. | If bread is often on the breakfast menu, I want to know which type of flour I’m choosing and how the nutritional information compares with that of another roll. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Allergens and packing | Read the ingredients and ‘may contain’ statements on the current label. Check the rules at the school or childcare setting. | If a roll is going to school or childcare, I want to make sure its ingredients or potential allergens don’t conflict with the rules there. This is the main concern for around 42% of consumers. |
| Preparation and storage | Check whether the product is fresh, long-life or frozen, and read the storage and baking instructions. | On a busy morning, I want to know whether I need to bake the roll and how to store any that are left over. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
Sourdough describes how the bread rises, not the type of flour used. A white sourdough roll doesn’t automatically become a wholemeal roll.
Check the type of bread and the ingredients. If you’re unsure, compare the fibre per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible.
Spelt is a type of wheat and contains gluten. Other ingredients or potential allergens may also be present in multigrain and seeded rolls.
Check the cereals and allergens listed on the current label for each product. If you need a gluten-free product, don’t rely on the words ‘spelt’ or ‘sourdough’.
A frozen roll needs different planning from one stored at room temperature. According to PLUS, the PLUS Desem pistolet bruin meergranen must not be refrozen after thawing.
Before buying, check the storage method, preparation time and instructions for after opening or thawing.
These examples show how types of bread, allergens and preparation can vary. Always check the packaging of your chosen product when you buy it.
The AH Liefde & Passie Desem pistolet volkoren is a wholemeal option for anyone who wants to compare the type of bread and its fibre content.
Jumbo Desem Broodjes Wit are white sourdough rolls, sold in a pack of four.
PLUS offers a frozen brown multigrain sourdough roll, as well as spelt sourdough rolls sold ready to bake.
No. Sourdough doesn’t tell you what type of flour has been used: a sourdough roll can also be white. Check the type of bread and the ingredients. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible.
No. Spelt is a type of wheat and contains gluten. If you need a gluten-free product, the words ‘spelt’ or ‘sourdough’ don’t guarantee that it is suitable. Check for an explicit gluten-free label and read the current product information.
Before buying, ask for the allergen information and which cereals containing gluten are in the roll. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, sellers must provide information about allergens in unpackaged food and specify which cereals containing gluten are present.
Choose a pack with storage and preparation instructions that suit the way you’ll use it. According to PLUS, the PLUS Desem pistolet bruin meergranen must be stored at −18 °C and must not be refrozen after thawing. Other products may have different instructions.
