Nursery practitioner preparing portions
Looking for a recognisable, relatively substantial slice that can be divided into smaller pieces for young children? The number of slices and the pack weight are more helpful than the product name alone.
Who are these choices relevant to?
Buyer following allergen guidelines
Checks before buying that the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings comply with the nursery’s policy and the individual arrangements for children in the group.
Nursery putting together a bread-based lunch
Compares wholegrain ingredients, fibre and salt per 100 g, and chooses toppings that suit the children and the nursery’s guidelines. Checks the iodine information for each product rather than assuming it contains baker’s salt.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the group’s allergen guidelines, then compare the slice size, nutritional information and storage instructions for products that meet those requirements.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Slice and portion | Compare the net weight with the number of slices. A 500 g pack with 9 slices works out at around 56 g per slice; with 10 slices, it’s around 50 g. | I want a substantial slice that I can divide for young children, without assuming that a whole slice is suitable for every child. Around 31% of consumers prioritise portion size. |
| Allergens and guidelines | Read the latest ingredient list and ‘may contain’ warnings, then check them against the individual arrangements and nursery policy. | If a child needs to avoid rye, wheat or gluten, I want to know whether this product is unsuitable before serving it. Allergen guidelines come first for around 31% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information and toppings | Compare wholegrain ingredients, fibre and salt per 100 g, and take the chosen topping into account. | For lunch, I want to consider not only the slice, but the rye bread and topping together. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this combination. |
| Storage and stock | Check current availability, the best-before date and the instructions for storing the product after opening. | I need to be able to use the pack in line with the nursery’s stock and storage routine. This is the most important factor for around 13% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming rye bread is gluten-free
Rye is a gluten-containing grain, and the products compared also list wheat. This means the ingredients matter when checking what a child is allowed to eat under their individual arrangements.
Check the current packaging every time you buy, and follow the child’s dietary plan. Don’t serve rye bread to a child who needs to avoid rye or gluten.
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Assuming it contains iodine from baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory. Its presence therefore varies from one bread to another.
Check the ingredients list or ask the baker which salt was used in the specific rye bread.
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Looking only at the fibre content
The fibre content doesn’t tell you how much salt a product contains. The product information for the items compared also lists salt per 100 g, and the topping is part of the meal too.
Compare both values on the label and choose a topping in line with the nursery’s guidelines.
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Using a large slice as a standard portion for children
A slice of around 50 to 56 g can be handy when preparing lunch, but it won’t automatically be a suitable portion for every young child.
Cut the slice, with a suitable topping, into smaller pieces to suit the child’s age and eating skills, and follow the nursery’s guidelines.
Brands to compare
Bolletje
Bolletje Frisian Rye Bread is one option to compare if you’re looking at slices from a 500 g pack: the product information on Jumbo lists 9 slices. This Frisian rye bread is not the same product as Bolletje rye bread Bol in the selection below.
- Jumbo lists 9.1 g of fibre and 0.94 g of salt per 100 g for Bolletje Frisian Rye Bread.
- This Frisian rye bread contains rye and wheat; check that both are suitable under the individual arrangements.
Van Dijk's
According to the product information on Jumbo, Van Dijk's Artisan Frisian Rye Bread contains 10 slices in a 500 g pack, which works out at around 50 g per slice.
- The stated number of slices makes it easy to compare the weight of each standard slice.
- The product information lists rye, wheat, preservatives and 1.0 g of salt per 100 g; check the ingredients against the nursery’s policy.
TastyBasics
TastyBasics rye bread comes in 9 portions of 56 g. This stated portion size can help you plan smaller pieces for lunch.
- Joybuy’s product information lists 60% wholegrain cracked rye and 9.6 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The product contains rye and gluten-containing grains; also check the latest warnings for possible traces of sesame, milk and nuts.
Rye bread on Joybuy
These rye breads are worth considering if you’re looking for a lunch base that you can cut into pieces for young children. The portion size is stated for TastyBasics; with Bolletje rye bread Bol, check the number of slices yourself before comparing slice sizes.
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TastyBasics rye bread – 9 pieces
The stated portions give you a starting point for cutting the rye bread into smaller pieces for young children.
Joybuy’s product information lists 9 portions of 56 g and 60% wholegrain cracked rye.
Contains rye and gluten-containing grains. Check the latest packaging for allergens and possible traces of sesame, milk and nuts.
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Bolletje rye bread Bol – 500 g
This rye bread could be a lunch base if the ingredients meet the group’s requirements; check the number of slices to plan the portions.
Joybuy’s ingredient information lists 56% wholegrain cracked rye and wheat bran.
Contains rye and wheat. Check the latest allergen information on the packaging before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How can I identify a relatively thick slice without the ‘thick-sliced’ description?
Divide the net weight by the stated number of slices to compare their average weight. In a 500 g pack, 9 slices work out at around 56 g each, while 10 slices work out at around 50 g. Adjust the child’s final portion separately.
Can I serve rye bread to a child who needs to avoid gluten?
No. Don’t serve rye bread to a child who needs to avoid gluten or rye. Rye is a gluten-containing grain, so check the latest ingredients too and follow the nursery’s individual arrangements. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists gluten-containing cereals among the allergens consumers must be informed about.
Does rye bread always contain iodine from baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory. Check the ingredients for the specific rye bread or ask the baker which salt was used.
How should I choose toppings for young children’s nursery lunches?
Choose toppings that suit the child’s age and individual dietary and allergen requirements. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests options such as vegetables, fruit and egg for toddlers; cut the topped bread into small pieces if needed.
How should I store rye bread after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the product you choose. The product information on Jumbo says that Bolletje Frisian Rye Bread should be sealed and stored in the fridge after opening; use it in line with the nursery’s stock rotation.