Parents who pack bread every day
For a regular school lunch, the type of bread matters more than just how soft a slice is. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with brown or wholemeal bread as often as possible.
Who is this choice for?
Parents of children who enjoy soft white bread
If texture determines whether your child eats their sandwich, the actual slice thickness, loaf size and freshness are all practical points to consider.
Families with allergen-related requirements
If your child has a relevant allergy or there are arrangements with the school, the information for the specific loaf is what matters. Check the ingredients and allergen statements, including those for wheat and any other allergens present or that may be present.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether the bread will be a regular part of your child’s school lunch. Then check that the slices will fit your child’s needs and lunchbox, and always check the specific product if there are any allergen-related requirements.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday bread choice | Compare white, brown and wholemeal bread if you pack sandwiches for every school day. For everyday choices, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends brown or wholemeal bread. | If bread goes into the lunchbox every day, I want to choose a type that suits this regular lunch. This daily consideration is the top priority for around 46% of consumers. |
| Soft slices that fit | Check whether the bread is sliced and whether the slices will fit in the lunchbox in terms of thickness and size; don’t rely on the search term ‘medium-sliced’ alone. | If a child mainly wants a soft sandwich, it matters whether a slice is easy to hold and spread. For around 27% of consumers, ease of eating is the top priority. |
| Allergens and school arrangements | For packaged bread, read the latest ingredients and allergen information. For unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information and check any relevant arrangements with the school. | If there’s an allergy or an arrangement with the school, I want to know before buying whether this specific bread is suitable to pack. This check comes first for around 18% of consumers. |
| Size and availability | Choose a half or whole loaf to suit how much you use, and check what’s available at the shop where you’re buying it. | If you only need bread for a few school days, I want to avoid leaving some of it unused. For around 9% of consumers, this practical consideration matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘medium-sliced’ means a standard slice thickness
A description such as casino, round or sliced doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. This can affect whether they fit in the lunchbox and how much filling you can add.
Check the slicing information on the packaging or bread label, and look at the slices if you can.
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Packing white bread every day without considering other options
For everyday bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre mainly recommends brown or wholemeal bread. Its school lunch list also includes white bread among the options it would rather children didn’t take to school.
Consider making brown or wholemeal bread the regular choice if your child will eat it, even if soft white bread is sometimes more convenient.
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Only checking for wheat when allergens are a concern
A specific loaf may contain other allergens besides wheat, or carry warnings that they may be present. For example, according to Jumbo, one of its white breads may contain traces of milk, nuts, sesame and soya, among other allergens, as well as wheat.
Read the latest information for the bread you’re buying and follow the arrangements that apply to your child and their school.
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Choosing a whole loaf without considering how much you’ll use
If you only need a few sandwiches each week, some of the bread may go unused.
Compare half and whole loaves, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. You can also freeze sandwiches in individual portions.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists a range of types of bread online.
- Albert Heijn describes some breads as easy to spread and pack in a lunchbox.
- Check the slice thickness and ingredients for the specific loaf you choose.
Jumbo
A white bread product page on Jumbo’s website lists ingredients and allergens.
- This information lets you check the ingredients for that specific loaf.
- The product described is a whole white wheat loaf; check separately whether the bread you choose is medium-sliced.
Lidl
Lidl offers pre-packed white bread as well as a fresh-from-the-oven range.
- One of the white breads shown has a pack weight of 800 g.
- Lidl notes that its fresh range may vary from store to store; check the label and how the bread is sliced in store too.
ALDI
ALDI offers white loaves in a range of sizes.
- ALDI describes its whole white loaf as a tin loaf with a soft crumb.
- That description applies to that product; check the slice thickness and allergen information when you buy it.
PLUS
The online category at PLUS includes different types of white bread, including casino and round loaves.
- You can compare different loaf shapes and half or whole loaves.
- Check the information for the product you choose for ingredients, allergens and slice thickness.
Dirk
Dirk lists several types of white bread online, including casino white bread.
- Casino white bread is available in half and whole loaves.
- Check that the slices and allergen information for each loaf are suitable for a school lunch.
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Frequently asked questions
Is white bread a good everyday choice for a school lunch?
For everyday bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre mainly recommends brown or wholemeal bread instead of white bread. If your child prefers soft white bread, you can take that preference into account, but it doesn’t change the recommendation for an everyday staple.
What should I check on white bread if allergens are a concern?
Check the allergen information for the bread you’re buying, even if you’ve packed the same type before. Read the latest label on packaged bread and ask for information about unpackaged bread; consider any warnings that allergens may be present in line with the arrangements for your child.
Does all white bread contain baker’s salt with iodine?
Don’t assume it does: check the ingredients list or ask the baker if the bread is unpackaged. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bread baked with baker’s salt is relevant to your iodine intake, but the type of bread alone doesn’t tell you which salt was used in a specific loaf.
How can I avoid having bread left over from school lunches?
Choose a half or whole loaf based on how many sandwiches you need. You can freeze sandwiches in individual portions and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.