Parents who want to make topped snacks
For topped pieces or cut-out shapes, what matters is whether the actual slice is large and sturdy enough. ‘Coarse’ and ‘country-style’ are not measures of slice thickness.
Who is this relevant to?
Parents who want to compare wholemeal bread and fibre
You’ll want to know whether your chosen bread is wholemeal and how much fibre the nutritional information lists per 100 g. To compare, check the details for the exact products.
Parents who need to consider allergens and school requirements
Before packing a snack, you need to know which allergens the bread contains and what rules the school or childcare setting follows. Read the current packaging and ask the organisation about its requirements.
What should you look for when choosing?
Before tea time, decide what matters most: a slice that suits the snack you have planned, nutritional information you can compare, or ingredients you need to check before packing.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Slice and sturdiness | Look at an actual slice, or ask whether a whole loaf can be cut to your preferred thickness. Try making the planned snack with one slice first. | For topped pieces or cut-out shapes, I want a slice that stays intact while I prepare them; around 42% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Read the ingredients list and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information for the exact loaves. | If wholemeal and fibre are the main reasons I’m choosing bread, I want to be able to compare the nutritional values; around 33% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Read the current allergen information and any relevant ‘may contain’ statements; check school requirements and, if it matters, whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed. | When ingredients or school requirements determine what I can pack, I need to check them before buying; around 25% of consumers give this check the highest priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘coarse’ means thickly sliced
A product name doesn’t tell you how thick the slices actually are. You may find they aren’t suitable for the topping or shape you want to make.
Check the slices themselves or ask about slicing options if you’re buying a whole loaf. Try making the snack with one slice first.
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Guessing allergens from the name of the bread
The grains used and other relevant allergens vary from product to product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that, for grains containing gluten, the type of grain must be clearly stated in the ingredients list.
Read the packaging of the bread you’re buying, including any ‘may contain’ information that’s relevant to your child.
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Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. The type of bread alone therefore won’t tell you which salt the product contains.
Check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt if you want to take this into account.
Relevant brands to consider
Albert Heijn
AH Boeren grof volkorenbrood heel is an example of a coarse whole loaf whose ingredients you can assess.
- Albert Heijn lists wholemeal wheat flour, iodised salt and 6,5 g of fibre per 100 g for this product.
- The word ‘coarse’ doesn’t confirm the slice thickness; check the slice and label of the loaf you actually choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo Grof Volkorenbrood Heel is a product-specific example for comparing nutritional information and allergens.
- Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g for this bread and names wheat, barley, gluten and soya among its allergens.
- The stated fibre content tells you nothing about slice thickness, so check this separately.
Lidl
Lidl offers Kids wholemeal bread in an 800 g pack as a child-friendly wholemeal option.
- The product name and pack size give you a specific option to look for in store.
- Check the packaging for the ingredients, nutritional information and actual slice before choosing it for your planned snack.
Aldi
Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood Heel is worth considering when nutritional information is your priority.
- According to Aldi’s own comparison with regular wholemeal bread, based on NEVO-Online 2021 7.0, this specific loaf contains 30% more fibre and 30% less salt.
- This comparison doesn’t confirm slice thickness or suitability for a particular snack shape.
Plus
PLUS Grof volkoren heel combines the description ‘coarse’ with product-specific ingredients and nutritional information.
- PLUS lists wholemeal wheat flour, cracked wheat, 6,8 g of fibre and 1,01 g of salt per 100 g.
- The product contains wheat, barley, gluten and soya, among other ingredients; check the current allergen information before buying.
Dirk
Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren heel is an example of a wholemeal loaf described as ‘country-style’.
- Buying a whole loaf gives you the chance to assess its shape and the available slice.
- Don’t assume ‘country-style’ means a particular slice thickness; also check the packaging for ingredients and allergens.
Wholemeal bread and bread alternatives at Joybuy
These products offer a range of bread styles for tea time: round wholemeal loaves, Lebanese wholemeal bread and a rye bread option. Check whether each product’s slice or shape suits the snack you want to make; a thick slice isn’t guaranteed by the product name.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g
A round wholemeal loaf to consider if you want to assess the slice yourself for topped snacks.
This option contains two 550 g loaves. Before preparing it, check the cooking instructions and refer to the current packaging for allergen information and the type of salt used.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
This round wholemeal loaf is worth considering if you want to slice a single loaf for your planned snack.
This option contains one 550 g loaf. Check the actual slice and read the cooking instructions and allergen information on the packaging before use.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
Consider this Lebanese wholemeal bread if its shape suits the snack you want to make, rather than assuming it comes in thick slices.
The pack contains six pieces. Check the current allergen information before packing it for a child or school.
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Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g
Consider this rye bread option if you’re looking for a different type of bread for tea time; check that its shape and slice suit your snack.
The pack states 500 g. If wholegrain or the types of grain used matter to your choice, read the current ingredients and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Can wholemeal bread be the basis for tea time with children?
Yes, provided the child can eat the ingredients and the portion, topping and shape of the bread suit the planned snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as a bread choice that provides fibre; for this snack, also check whether the slice is practical to use.
Are slices of ‘coarse wholemeal’ automatically thick?
No. ‘Coarse’ doesn’t specify a particular slice thickness. Check an actual slice or ask what thickness a whole loaf can be cut to before planning topped or cut-out snacks.
Does wholemeal bread contain gluten?
Wholemeal bread made from wheat or other grains that contain gluten does contain gluten, so always check the exact bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says the name of the relevant grain must be clearly stated in the ingredients list. If the snack is for school or childcare, also check the rules that apply there.
Does Dutch bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. If this is relevant to your purchase, check the ingredients list of the bread you’ve chosen for iodised salt or baker’s salt.
How should I store a whole loaf for several tea times?
Follow the storage and freezing instructions on the packaging of the exact bread. Albert Heijn and PLUS say that their whole loaves described here can be frozen at home and recommend using them within one month of freezing; don’t assume the same timeframe applies to another product.