Parents who want to cut their own thick snack slices
Want to choose a thickness to suit the filling, or cut a slice into smaller pieces? With a whole loaf, you can decide how thick to cut each slice.
Who is this for?
Families with a texture-conscious eater
If coarse pieces or a firm crust are a concern, texture matters just as much as slice thickness. Lidl describes its Kids wholemeal bread as being made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour; whether that texture appeals will vary from person to person.
Families comparing bread labels
If you want to compare ingredients, allergens, fibre or salt, you’ll need the information on the exact packaging. Voedingscentrum also highlights baker’s salt if iodine from bread is something you’re keeping an eye on.
What should you look for?
First, work out which texture the person eating it is happy with. Then decide whether you want to control the slice thickness yourself, and finally compare the labels on the breads you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and texture | Compare finely textured loaves with coarser varieties, and look out for visible seeds, crumb and crust. | If coarse pieces make mealtimes difficult, I want to find out first whether a finer-textured loaf might be more appealing. For around 40% of consumers, how well the bread is accepted is the most important factor when choosing. |
| Thick snack slices | Choose a whole loaf if you want to cut it yourself; also consider whether its texture works well for the slice you have in mind. | For a filled snack, I want to cut the slice to size myself and perhaps divide it into smaller pieces. Around 30% of consumers prioritise being able to control how they cut it. |
| Label and nutritional information | Check the ingredients, allergens, fibre and salt per 100 g; look for baker’s salt if it’s relevant to your choice. | When I’m choosing between wholemeal loaves, I want to know what’s in the specific pack. For around 30% of consumers, checking the label is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
-
Taking ‘fine’ or ‘coarse’ to mean slice thickness
These words help distinguish between types of bread, but they don’t tell you how thick a pre-sliced piece is. A fine texture and a thick slice are two separate choices.
Choose a whole loaf if you want to decide the thickness yourself, or check how thick the pre-sliced bread is in store.
-
Pressuring a child to eat a new, coarse-textured bread
Voedingscentrum advises against forcing a child to eat, as this can make them dread mealtimes.
Instead, offer a small piece with a familiar topping and give your child time to get used to a different texture.
-
Assuming bread contains baker’s salt without checking the label
Whether your chosen bread contains baker’s salt matters if you take this into account when choosing bread. Voedingscentrum mentions bread made with baker’s salt in its information about iodine for children.
Check the ingredients on the exact packaging to see whether baker’s salt is listed.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s wholemeal range includes both whole and half loaves.
- A whole loaf lets you decide how thick to cut each slice.
- Check how each loaf is cut and read the latest label; the range name doesn’t tell you how thick a slice is.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range includes Fijn Volkoren and Rond Grof Volkoren.
- Jumbo Fijn Volkoren lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g, so you can compare the figure for this specific product.
- The word ‘fine’ doesn’t confirm a particular slice thickness or guarantee that a fussy eater will like it.
Lidl
Lidl describes its Kids wholemeal bread as being made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
- It’s a variety worth considering if a coarse bread texture is the concern.
- Check the slice thickness, ingredients and allergens on the packaging in store.
Aldi
Aldi describes Fijn Volkoren as sliced bread.
- Pre-sliced bread saves you the job of cutting it yourself.
- If a particular thickness is important, check the slices in store.
Plus
Plus stocks Grof volkoren heel, a whole coarse-textured wholemeal loaf.
- With a whole loaf, you can choose the slice thickness yourself; Plus lists 6,8 g of fibre and 1,01 g of salt per 100 g for this variety.
- A coarse texture won’t suit every eater. Check the latest label too, as product information can change.
Dirk
Dirk offers wholemeal loaves in both whole and half sizes.
- A whole loaf is an option if you want to cut thicker slices yourself.
- Check the texture and product information for your chosen variety before deciding.
Wholemeal bread at Joybuy
These whole, round wholemeal loaves are options if you want to cut your own slices after preparing them. Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling, and check the preparation instructions on the packaging before you start.
No image available
Lekhaven Bakery round wholemeal bread, 2 × 550 g
A whole loaf you can cut yourself to get the right slice thickness for a snack.
The pack contains two 550 g loaves. Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling. Check the preparation instructions and look for baker’s salt on the label if it matters to your choice.
No image available
Lekhaven Bakery round wholemeal bread, 550 g
A whole loaf you can cut yourself when you want to choose the thickness of a filled slice.
This loaf weighs 550 g. Allow time to defrost, bake and cool it, and follow the instructions on the packaging. Check the ingredients if baker’s salt is something you’re keeping an eye on.
Frequently asked questions
How can I cut thicker slices for a filled snack?
With a whole loaf, you can cut the slices to your preferred thickness. Consider the crumb and crust too: a thicker slice won’t solve a texture problem if the person eating it doesn’t like it.
Is finely textured wholemeal bread always lower in fibre than coarse wholemeal bread?
No, you can’t tell from the words ‘fine’ and ‘coarse’. Compare the nutritional information for the specific loaves: Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g for Fijn Volkoren, while Plus lists 6,8 g per 100 g for Grof volkoren heel.
How can I tell whether my bread contains baker’s salt?
Check the ingredients list on the packaging you’ve chosen for ‘baker’s salt’. Jumbo, for example, lists it for Fijn Volkoren; don’t assume it’s present just because the bread is labelled ‘wholemeal’.
What can I do if a child refuses a different bread texture?
Offer a small piece without pressuring them to eat it. Voedingscentrum advises against forcing a child to eat; a familiar topping may help them try the new texture at their own pace.
Can I freeze a wholemeal loaf?
For Grof volkoren heel, Plus says you can freeze it at home on the day you buy it and use it within one month. For other loaves, check the instructions on the packaging.