Parents who prioritise the type of bread
You want to choose between brown and wholemeal bread for your child’s school lunch first, as recommended by the Dutch Nutrition Centre, and only then decide which slice is practical.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Parents of a fussy eater
You’re comparing finer and coarser bread textures because your child needs to eat the bread at school too. A fine wholemeal loaf may be worth considering alongside a firmer bread.
Parents who need to consider allergens
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact bread before putting it in the lunchbox. Regular bread containing gluten isn’t suitable for someone with coeliac disease; also follow the school’s arrangements.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the type of bread, then consider the slice alongside the filling and lunchbox. If allergens are a concern for your child, check them before buying.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Type of bread and fibre | Check whether the bread is labelled wholemeal or brown. Compare the available nutritional information for fibre per 100 g. | I want to choose a type of bread that fits the Dutch Nutrition Centre’s lunch advice first; this is the most important consideration for around 36% of consumers. |
| Slice and ease of eating | Look at the actual slice and check whether a filled sandwich will fit in the lunchbox; don’t infer thickness from words such as ‘coarse’ or ‘hearty’. | If my child leaves coarse bread uneaten or finds a filled sandwich difficult to eat, I want to try a different texture. Ease of eating comes first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Read the label on packaged bread or ask for allergen information when buying unpackaged bread. Also check the school’s arrangements. | If my child has an allergy or coeliac disease, I need to know which bread I can pack; checking allergens is the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Quantity and storage | Consider whether a whole or half loaf is right for how much will be eaten, and whether you can freeze portions. | When I’m still trying to find a texture my child will eat, I don’t want to be left with lots of bread. Reducing waste comes first for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘coarse’ means thick-sliced
Supermarkets use names such as coarse, farmhouse and hearty, but these don’t tell you how thick the individual slices are. As a result, the bread may fit in the lunchbox differently than you expect.
Look at the slices in store or, where possible, ask for the bread to be cut to your preferred thickness.
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Confusing thickness with the type of bread
A thick slice isn’t automatically wholemeal. For school lunches, the Dutch Nutrition Centre recommends brown or wholemeal bread; consider slice thickness afterwards as a practical feature.
Check the label on the bread, then choose a slice that suits the filling and your child.
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Not checking allergens in regular bread
Regular bread made with gluten-containing grains isn’t suitable for someone with coeliac disease. It’s important to know the allergen information for the specific product when buying unpackaged bread too.
Read the label on packaged bread, or ask for allergen information before buying unpackaged bread.
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Buying a new type of bread without a storage plan
If your child doesn’t like the texture you choose, you could be left with a large loaf. The Dutch Nutrition Centre advises that opened wholemeal bread keeps for less time in a kitchen cupboard than in the freezer.
If needed, try a smaller loaf and freeze any portions you won’t use soon.
Brands compared
Albert Heijn
For comparing different types of wholemeal bread.
- Albert Heijn offers options including wholemeal farmhouse bread and round wholemeal bread.
- Check the actual slice and whether your chosen option is available in your store.
Jumbo
For comparing wholemeal options described as fine, coarse and hearty.
- Jumbo offers options including Fine Wholemeal, Round Coarse Wholemeal and Hearty Wholemeal with Sunflower Seeds.
- The product name doesn’t indicate a standard slice thickness.
Lidl
For comparing fibre information on packaged loaves.
- Lidl describes a fibre meter on its packaged loaves and offers a kids’ loaf made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
- Check the product and slice in your local store; the fresh range may vary.
ALDI
For exploring different wholemeal breads in the daily fresh range.
- ALDI offers options including Fine Wholemeal and Farmer’s Tiger Wholemeal.
- Check how thick the slices actually are in your chosen loaf.
PLUS
For comparing fine, round, farmhouse and farmer-style wholemeal breads.
- PLUS offers options including Round Fine Wholemeal and Extra Dark Wholemeal Farmhouse Bread.
- Check the label and slice of the product you actually buy.
Dirk
For exploring wholemeal, multigrain and farmhouse breads.
- Dirk offers different types of bread, including wholemeal and farmhouse bread.
- Check the individual product to assess the type of bread and the actual slice.
Bread to slice yourself on Joybuy
These round wholemeal loaves are designed to be sliced at home after preparation. They aren’t ready-to-eat thick-sliced bread: allow time to defrost, bake and cool them before making sandwiches for school.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g
For anyone who wants to choose a slice to suit the lunchbox and filling; the bread needs to be defrosted, baked and cooled first.
550 g round wholemeal bread. Check the label for ingredients and allergens before packing.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g × 2
For anyone who wants to prepare two loaves and slice them at home; plan how you’ll store the bread if it won’t be eaten soon.
Pack of two 550 g round wholemeal loaves. The loaves need to be defrosted, baked and cooled; check the label for ingredients and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Is thick-sliced bread automatically a better choice for a school lunch?
No. The Dutch Nutrition Centre recommends brown or wholemeal bread for school lunches; the thickness of a slice doesn’t tell you what type of bread it is. Then choose a slice your child enjoys eating and that fits in the lunchbox.
Does ‘coarse wholemeal’ mean the bread is thick-sliced?
No, ‘coarse’ isn’t a standard measure of slice thickness. Look at the actual slice in store or, if the bread is sliced there, ask for your preferred thickness.
Can someone with coeliac disease eat regular thick-sliced bread?
No, not if the bread contains gluten-containing grains. The Dutch Nutrition Centre says regular bread containing grains such as wheat, spelt, rye or barley isn’t suitable for someone with coeliac disease; check the information for the specific product.
Where can I find allergen information for unpackaged bread?
Before buying unpackaged bread, ask how you can check the allergen information. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information must also be available for unpackaged food; for prepacked bread, it’s on the label.
How should I store wholemeal bread while trying a different slice?
Freeze any portions you won’t use within a few days. The Dutch Nutrition Centre says opened wholemeal bread keeps for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer.