For your child’s school lunch, choose bread labelled as wholemeal that they enjoy eating as a sandwich. Check the slices of the specific loaf with your chosen filling to make sure they fit in the lunchbox; labels such as ‘fine’ don’t confirm a particular slice thickness. If allergies are a concern, read the latest product information and check the school or after-school club’s rules too.
They’re looking for wholemeal bread their child will enjoy taking to school, and that goes well with their usual sandwich fillings. The Voedingscentrum lists wholemeal and brown bread as options for children’s lunches.
For them, bite size, sandwich shape and space in the lunchbox all matter. Check the slices of the specific loaf rather than assuming that ‘fine’ means a particular thickness.
If wheat, gluten or other allergens are relevant to the child or class, they should check the information for the chosen bread and the school or after-school club’s rules separately.
Start by checking that the bread is labelled as wholemeal, then see how the slices work with the filling you want to pack. Check allergen information and school rules separately, however practical the sandwich may seem.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and nutritional information | Look for the wholemeal bread label; if you wish, compare the fibre per 100 g on the label. | For everyday lunches, I want to know that the bread really is wholemeal, rather than judging by its colour. For around 40% of consumers, choosing wholemeal comes first. |
| Slice thickness and sandwich shape | Check the slices of the specific loaf and whether a filled sandwich will fit in the lunchbox. | My child prefers a particular bite size, and I want to pack a sandwich without having to awkwardly fold it. A manageable slice is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Allergens and school rules | Read the latest allergen information for the bread and check the school or after-school club’s rules. | If an allergy or a class rule is a factor, I want to look beyond the bread’s name. For around 20% of consumers, allergens and school rules are the main concern. |
| Availability and quantity | Check whether your chosen bread is available at your shop and whether it comes as a whole or half loaf. | If we won’t get through a whole loaf, I want to choose an amount that suits our school days. For around 10% of consumers, practical availability matters most. |
The colour doesn’t tell you whether bread is labelled as wholemeal.
Read the product name and, if needed, compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the loaves you’re considering.
Shops sell different loaf shapes and use different labels. The name alone won’t tell you whether a sandwich with your usual filling will fit comfortably in the lunchbox.
Check the slices of the specific loaf and try one at home with the filling you plan to pack.
A name such as wholemeal bread doesn’t give you all the information about its ingredients and other relevant allergens.
For packaged bread, read the latest allergen information. For unpackaged bread, ask for this information before you buy, and check the school’s rules as well.
These supermarkets offer options to compare, but always check the slices and allergens for the specific loaf.
Albert Heijn has an online category for wholemeal bread.
Jumbo’s wholemeal range includes Fine Wholemeal Bread and a half-loaf option.
Lidl provides an ingredients and allergens overview for its freshly baked bread range.
Aldi’s range includes an extra-high-fibre wholemeal loaf.
Plus stocks wholemeal bread in different shapes, including round fine wholemeal bread.
Dirk’s range includes farmhouse wholemeal, round wholemeal and square wholemeal bread.
Yes. The Voedingscentrum lists wholemeal and brown bread as options for children. Choose bread your child will eat, and tailor the amount and filling to the lunch you’re packing.
For packaged bread, check the latest allergen information on the packaging; for unpackaged bread, ask for the information about that loaf before you buy. If your child has an allergy, don’t rely on the wholemeal label alone, and check any school or after-school club rules too.
Follow the storage and use-by information for your chosen bread. For example, Jumbo recommends keeping its Fine Wholemeal Bread in a cool, dark place and following the date on the bag clip. Check the instructions again if you choose a different loaf.
Don’t assume so: check the ingredients list for the specific loaf. The Voedingscentrum mentions bread baked with baker’s salt in its information about iodine.
