For a generously topped after-school snack, it helps to be able to assess the slice, crust and crumb of the bread you choose. The term ‘thick-cut’ alone doesn’t tell you whether a slice will suit your toppings. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal bread as a nutritious choice, but also consider the texture your child prefers. If they have an allergy, always check the information for the specific bread.
If you want the toppings to stay on a larger slice, check the loaf’s actual slice, crust and crumb. A whole or round loaf gives you the option to cut your own slices, but the shape of the loaf doesn’t guarantee a particular firmness.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the fibre, vitamins and minerals in wholemeal bread. If your child prefers a finer texture, compare fine wholemeal bread too, and check the crust of the specific product.
If you need to choose an allergen-free option, the latest product information is what matters. If you’re also checking for iodised baker’s salt, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises checking the label or asking the baker.
Start with any allergens your child needs to avoid. Then compare the slice and nutritional information, and choose an amount of bread that suits the planned snack times.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Most relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Firmness of the slice | Check the size, crust and crumb of the bread, and consider whether the slice will suit your chosen toppings. | If I want to add generous toppings to a sandwich, I want the slice to stay easy to handle. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal and texture | Check for the ‘wholemeal’ description. If you prefer a finer texture, look at the crumb and crust too. | My child isn’t keen on coarse bread, but I still want to choose wholemeal. This combination is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Allergens and school rules | Read the latest label or ask about allergens in unpackaged bread. If the snack is going to school, check the school’s rules too. | If my child needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to be able to check this before packing their snack. Around 20% of consumers put this check first. |
| Quantity and storage | Choose a half or whole loaf to suit how much you’ll use, and follow the product’s storage instructions. | If I only need bread for a few snack times, I don’t want to buy more slices than we can use. For around 20% of consumers, choosing the right amount is the first consideration. |
The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t mean that a loaf is wholemeal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre defines wholemeal bread by the parts of the grain used.
If you want wholemeal bread, look for the ‘wholemeal’ description on the specific product rather than judging by its colour.
The name or appearance of a loaf doesn’t give you the full picture about its allergens. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, cereals containing gluten are among the allergens consumers must be given information about.
For prepacked bread, read the latest label. For unpackaged bread, ask about the allergen information before buying.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. So the type of bread alone won’t tell you whether this salt has been used.
Check the ingredients list or ask the baker if the presence of iodised baker’s salt matters to your choice.
If you only use a little, you may have slices left over before you’re ready to eat them.
So compare a half loaf with a whole one, and follow the storage or freezing instructions for the product you choose.
These bread ranges give you a starting point when choosing, but you’ll need to assess the shape, ingredients and slice of each product individually.
Albert Heijn’s range includes sliced OerDesem loaves and wholemeal bread.
Jumbo’s range includes fine wholemeal bread, farmhouse wholemeal bread and wholemeal rolls.
Lidl offers packaged bread and freshly baked bread, with separate product information for each.
ALDI’s daily fresh range includes wholemeal and multigrain bread.
PLUS’s range includes fine wholemeal bread, wholemeal tiger bread and hearth-baked bread.
Dirk’s bread categories include wholemeal, multigrain and sourdough.
This round wholemeal loaf is an option if you want to assess for yourself whether its slices suit your toppings. The product name doesn’t confirm the thickness or firmness of the slices.
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A round wholemeal loaf for anyone who wants to assess the slice before adding generous toppings.
The product name states 550 g. Check the packaging for preparation instructions and allergen information, and assess the actual slice before using the bread for a snack.
Assess the slice of the specific bread: look at its size, crumb and crust rather than relying only on ‘thick-cut’ or the shape of the loaf. If you’re buying a whole loaf, consider whether cutting your own slices will suit the snack you want to make.
Check the allergen information if your child needs to avoid cereals containing gluten, and check any rules set by the school or class if they’re taking the bread in. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products is provided on the label.
Ask the seller about allergens in unpackaged bread before you buy it. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information must also be available for unpackaged products.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the label of the specific loaf or ask the baker which salt has been used.
Follow the storage and freezing instructions for the bread you buy. Don’t apply the instructions for one loaf to another product without checking first.
