For small sandwiches and bites, choose a fine-textured, preferably pre-sliced wholemeal loaf. If you want the bread to take centre stage on the table, a round or rustic loaf may be better suited to the occasion, as long as the children are happy with its crust and texture. Check the wholemeal labelling and allergen information for your chosen loaf. If iodine from bread is relevant to your family, also check whether iodised baker’s salt has been used.
Fine-textured or pre-sliced wholemeal bread is easy to prepare for small sandwiches. If you want the bread to play a bigger part on the table, you could also consider a round or rustic loaf and decide in advance whether its crust and crumb will suit the children.
A special occasion involving bread doesn’t mean you have to change your choice of wholemeal. The Voedingscentrum (Netherlands Nutrition Centre) describes wholemeal bread as an important source of carbohydrates and fibre for children. Bread made with iodised baker’s salt can also contribute to their iodine intake.
If children have allergies, or the afternoon tea is taking place at school or a childcare setting, check the allergen information for your chosen bread and the group’s arrangements before packing or sharing it.
First decide whether you’ll mainly cut the bread into small bites or serve it on a bread board. Then compare the information for the exact product you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal content and nutritional information | Read the wholemeal labelling and ingredients. Only compare fibre content on the same basis, such as per 100 g. | I want the bread for our celebration to fit our choice of wholemeal, not just look dark. Around 40% of consumers prioritise choosing wholemeal. |
| Texture and presentation | Check whether the bread is fine- or coarse-textured, and sliced or whole. Consider the crust and how you’ll cut it into small pieces. | For small sandwiches, I want bread that’s easy to portion and eat; on a bread board, its shape can make more of a statement. Around 30% of consumers prioritise ease of eating and serving. |
| Allergens and taking bread along | Check the allergen information for your chosen loaf and the arrangements at school or childcare before sharing it. | If I’m packing bread for a group, I want to know in advance whether it suits the children and the group’s arrangements. This is the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
The colour, seeds and artisan look don’t tell you on their own whether the bread you’ve chosen is wholemeal.
Check the labelling and ingredients for the specific loaf rather than judging it by its appearance.
Before sharing bread, make sure its ingredients and any warnings are suitable for the children who’ll be eating it.
For packaged bread, read the label. For unpackaged bread, ask about allergen information before buying, and check the arrangements at school or childcare too.
A firm crust or coarse crumb may be less appealing to children who are expecting small, easy-to-eat bites.
Choose fine-textured or pre-sliced bread if easy portioning is your priority. If you’re choosing a rustic loaf, check in advance that you can cut it into suitable pieces.
According to the Voedingscentrum (Netherlands Nutrition Centre), bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So the amount of iodine bread contributes to your diet depends partly on the salt used.
If this contribution matters to your family, check the ingredients list or ask the baker which salt they use.
Albert Heijn offers, among other options, round and coarse-textured farmhouse wholemeal loaves. These give you two different shapes to consider alongside the portions you need.
Jumbo offers recipes and ideas using wholemeal bread, including for topped open sandwiches.
Lidl offers fine-textured wholemeal bread and tiger-striped wholemeal farmhouse loaves. The brand also describes a kids’ bread made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
ALDI offers fine-textured and farmhouse wholemeal bread, as well as a separate extra-high-fibre option.
PLUS offers farmhouse wholemeal bread, round fine-textured wholemeal bread and sourdough wholemeal bread.
Dirk offers, among other options, wholemeal farmhouse loaves and an extra-high-fibre farmhouse wholemeal loaf from Bakker van der Akker.
These Joybuy products include a flatbread that you can serve in pieces, as well as round wholemeal country loaves for anyone who wants to present the bread on the table. Allow time to prepare the country loaves, and check the latest allergen information for all options.
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Flatbread to serve in smaller pieces at afternoon tea.
The product information lists wheat and gluten, and warns that it may contain soya and milk. Check the current packaging before taking or sharing the bread with a group.
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Round wholemeal country bread for a bread board. The product name specifies two loaves of 550 g each.
Allow time to defrost, bake and cool the bread before slicing. Check the current allergen information if you’ll be sharing it with children.
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Round wholemeal country bread weighing 550 g, for anyone who wants to present the loaf on the table and then cut it into portions.
Allow time to defrost, bake and cool the bread before slicing. Check the current allergen information before taking or sharing it.
Wholemeal bread can be part of afternoon tea with children, as long as the portions and toppings suit them. The Voedingscentrum (Netherlands Nutrition Centre) describes wholemeal bread as an important source of carbohydrates and fibre for children. Check the allergen information for your chosen loaf too.
Before packing the bread, check its allergen information and the school or childcare setting’s rules on bringing and sharing food. Bread containing wheat, rye, barley or spelt contains gluten. Read the label on packaged bread, and ask for the information before buying unpackaged bread.
No, the organic or artisan label doesn’t tell you that. According to the Voedingscentrum (Netherlands Nutrition Centre), bakers aren’t required to use iodised baker’s salt, and organic bread usually doesn’t contain baker’s salt. Read the ingredients list or ask the baker if iodine from bread is relevant to your family.
For neat bites or a crisp crust, slice and top the bread shortly before serving. Follow the storage and preparation instructions on the packaging or from the baker. Bread that still needs baking and cooling will need extra preparation time.
