Who are these choices relevant to?

Families planning bread for several days

Parents and carers who regularly prepare an after-school snack and want to choose between a whole or half loaf without unnecessary waste.

Parents of fussy eaters

Families looking for wholemeal bread while taking into account a child who doesn’t enjoy a coarse texture. The wholemeal label is still more important than the colour of the bread.

Families checking labels and school rules

Parents and carers who need to check the ingredients and allergens in their chosen variety, or follow school rules, before deciding what they can pack.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the wholemeal label and choosing a quantity that will be eaten. Then pick a texture your child will enjoy, and check any information relevant to your child and their school before packing it.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Quantity and waste Check the size and weight; consider a half loaf if you won’t get through a whole one in time. When I pack bread for several days, I don’t want to keep throwing some away. For around 36% of consumers, choosing a quantity that will actually be eaten comes first.
A texture they’ll eat Compare a fine and a coarse variety, but check that both are labelled wholemeal. If a child leaves coarse bread, I look for a finer variety that’s still wholemeal. For around 29% of consumers, whether it’s enjoyed matters most.
Genuinely wholemeal Look for the wholemeal label on the packaging; compare the nutritional information if fibre is an important point of difference for you. I don’t want to rely on a dark colour when choosing wholemeal bread. For around 21% of consumers, checking the wholemeal label is the top priority.
Allergens and school rules Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, and check what’s allowed at school. If allergies or school rules are a concern, I first need to know whether this particular variety can be packed. For around 14% of consumers, suitability comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark or multigrain bread is automatically wholemeal

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, while brown bread may also contain white flour. The colour and visible seeds don’t tell you for sure.

    Check the wholemeal label on the packaging, even for bread with a fine texture.

  • Skipping the allergen check when choosing a different variety

    Ingredients and allergens vary from one loaf to another. The word ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t tell you which other ingredients or warnings apply to a particular variety.

    Check the latest packaging. For unpackaged bread, ask about allergen information and follow any school rules.

  • Assuming every loaf is made with baker’s salt

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it’s been used just from the type of bread.

    Check the ingredients or ask the baker which salt was used in that loaf.

Brands to consider

These supermarket ranges include a variety of wholemeal breads. Always compare the specific variety you’re considering: size, ingredients and available information can vary.

Albert Heijn

The bread range includes AH Tijger wholemeal loaf, among other options.

  • A familiar wholemeal loaf to compare with other sizes.
  • Check the latest packaging and contents for the specific loaf you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s own-label wholemeal breads include fine, coarse, tiger and half-loaf varieties.

  • The different textures and sizes make it easier to choose based on eating preferences and how you’ll use the bread.
  • Check the contents and ingredients of the variety you choose.

Lidl

Alongside other wholemeal breads, Lidl lists a children’s bread made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.

  • The fine milling is worth considering if your child leaves coarser bread.
  • The description of one children’s loaf doesn’t automatically apply to other fine or tiger breads, so check the packaging.

ALDI

ALDI’s range includes regular and Extra High Fibre wholemeal loaves.

  • An extra high-fibre variety gives you a reason to compare its nutritional information with regular wholemeal bread.
  • The ingredients in this particular variety don’t tell you anything about all ALDI’s other wholemeal breads.

PLUS

PLUS Coarse Wholemeal Loaf is a whole, coarse-textured loaf with information provided about its ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.

  • The product information gives you a useful starting point for assessing this variety’s ingredients.
  • Check the packaging when you buy it, especially if allergens are relevant to your child.

Dirk

Dirk stocks Bakker van der Akker Boeren wholemeal loaf, among other options.

  • A wholemeal loaf you can compare with your usual choice of bread.
  • Check the weight and label of the specific loaf before comparing sizes or ingredients.

Bread to prepare at home on Joybuy

This is an option for a bread snack you can prepare at home. Before buying, check that the packaging labels the bread as wholemeal; the English product name alone doesn’t confirm this.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

For a bread snack you can prepare at home, this loaf needs to be defrosted and baked.

Weight: 550 g. Check the wholemeal label and latest allergen information on the packaging. Follow the preparation instructions on the packaging too, as the stated baking times vary.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can a slice of wholemeal bread be an after-school snack?

Yes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists a slice of wholemeal bread as a possible snack for children aged 4 to 12. Choose an amount and topping that suit what your child eats at that time.

How can I recognise wholemeal bread?

Check whether the packaging says wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; a brown colour, seeds or the word ‘multigrain’ alone don’t confirm this.

Where can I check allergens in bread for school?

For packaged bread, read the latest ingredients list and allergen information, and check any school rules. For unpackaged bread, ask about allergens before you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on labels.

Does all wholemeal bread contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt in bread isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients list or ask the baker which salt was used in the variety you’ve chosen.

Can I keep a whole loaf for several after-school snacks?

Yes, as long as you follow the storage and any freezing instructions for that loaf. Check the packaging before storing portions; instructions for one variety don’t necessarily apply to another loaf.