Who is this choice relevant to?

Parents who add generous fillings to sandwiches

You want to choose slices that work well with fillings such as hummus, egg, cheese or vegetables. Ask about the slice thickness: a coarse texture doesn’t automatically mean a thick slice.

Parents who want wholemeal as their starting point

You’re looking for genuinely wholemeal bread, rather than bread that’s simply called brown or multigrain. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour.

Parents who check allergens and school policies

If your child has a relevant allergy or the school has a policy in place, check the latest product information before packing the lunch. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists cereals containing gluten among the allergens for which information must be available.

What should you look for when choosing?

First check that the bread meets your wholemeal requirements and any relevant allergen policies. Then decide what slice thickness will work best with the fillings. Bakkerij Lamers lists 11.5 mm as the standard slice and 14.5 mm as the thick slice for one of its wholemeal loaves, but these sizes don’t automatically apply to other loaves.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Slice thickness and fillings Ask about the slice thickness or slicing options. Choose an unsliced loaf only if you want to slice it at home. For generous or moist fillings, I want to be able to decide how thick the sandwiches should be. For around 30% of consumers, this sturdiness would be the main priority.
Wholemeal and nutritional value Look for the word ‘wholemeal’. If it matters to your choice, compare the fibre and salt per 100 g in similar loaves. I want to be sure the school lunch includes wholemeal bread and compare the nutritional values if needed. This would be the main priority for around 40% of consumers.
Allergens and school policies Read the latest allergen information on the packaging, or ask for it if the bread is sold loose. Also check your own school’s policies. If allergens or school rules are relevant, I want to know about them before packing the bread. Around 30% of consumers would consider this first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘coarse’ or ‘hearty’ means ‘thick-sliced’

    These words don’t necessarily describe the thickness of the slices. Bakkerij Lamers even offers different slice thicknesses as separate options for one of its wholemeal loaves.

    Ask which slicing options are available, or choose a whole loaf that you can slice yourself.

  • Assuming brown or multigrain means wholemeal

    According to the Voedingscentrum, brown bread contains a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour. Its colour alone doesn’t confirm that the bread is wholemeal.

    Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ if you want bread made from 100% wholemeal flour.

  • Relying on outdated allergen information

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. This is particularly important if your child has a relevant allergy.

    Check the latest packaging each time you buy, or ask for allergen information if the bread is sold loose. Also bear your school’s policies in mind.

Brands to compare

These shops offer a starting point in your search for wholemeal bread. Check whether the slice thickness, ingredients and latest allergen information for each loaf are right for your school lunch.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has a dedicated wholemeal bread category online.

  • You can browse a range of wholemeal breads in the category.
  • ‘Coarse’ doesn’t confirm the slice thickness. Check the latest product information for the loaf you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes, among other options, fine-textured wholemeal bread and hearty wholemeal bread with sunflower seeds.

  • The textures mentioned give you a starting point when considering what your child likes to eat.
  • ‘Hearty’ doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are; check the ingredients and allergens for the specific loaf too.

Lidl

Lidl describes both fine-textured wholemeal bread and a kids’ wholemeal loaf made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.

  • A fine texture is worth considering if your child isn’t keen on coarser bread.
  • Lidl says its fresh bread range can vary by store. Check the slicing options for the loaf you buy.

Aldi

Aldi stocks, among other options, fine, tiger and extra-high-fibre wholemeal bread.

  • The different options give you the chance to compare ingredients and nutritional information.
  • A nutritional claim about one loaf doesn’t tell you anything about its slice thickness or other Aldi loaves. Check the label of the option you choose.

Plus

Plus lists products online including PLUS Boeren wholemeal loaf, unsliced.

  • Plus also provides instructions for freezing this loaf at home.
  • Check the latest packaging for ingredients and allergens, and ask whether a suitable slicing option is available.

Dirk

Dirk lists bread categories that include wholemeal and multigrain bread.

  • The categories make it easier to search specifically for a wholemeal option.
  • Multigrain isn’t the same as wholemeal; check the slice thickness of the specific loaf too.

Bread to slice yourself on Joybuy

These round loaves suit you if you plan to finish baking them at home and slice them yourself. Check the packaging to make sure the ingredients meet your wholemeal requirements; the product name alone isn’t enough.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g

For anyone who wants to choose the slice thickness at home and has time to defrost, finish baking and cool the bread. Check the packaging for wholemeal status, allergens and baking instructions.

View on Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g

For anyone who wants to slice the bread themselves for a school lunch once it’s baked. Let the loaf cool first and follow the baking time on the packaging. Check it for wholemeal status and allergens too.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is there a standard thickness for ‘thick-sliced’ wholemeal bread?

Don’t assume there’s one standard thickness for all loaves. Bakkerij Lamers lists 11.5 mm for a standard slice and 14.5 mm for a thick slice of one of its own wholemeal loaves. For another loaf, ask about the actual slice thickness or slicing options.

How can I recognise wholemeal bread?

Look for the word ‘wholemeal’, not just the colour or a name that mentions grains. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, while brown bread combines wholemeal flour and white flour.

What should I check about gluten in a school lunch?

Check the latest allergen information if your child has a relevant allergy or coeliac disease, and follow your school’s policies. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked food is shown on the label, and it must be available before purchase for food sold loose.

Is all bread made with iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, there’s no requirement to bake bread with baker’s salt. If the type of salt used matters to you, check the label or ask the baker.

Can I freeze wholemeal bread for school lunches?

For PLUS Boeren wholemeal loaf, unsliced, Plus says you can freeze it at home on the day you buy it and use it within one month. For other loaves, follow the storage and use instructions on the packaging.