Who might find this choice relevant?

Households looking to replace white bread

Looking for wholemeal bread for school lunches and considering not just the fibre content, but also a taste and texture their child will enjoy.

Fibre-conscious lunch packers

Want to be able to tell whether a loaf is wholemeal and compare the stated fibre per 100 g across specific products.

Families checking allergens and school guidelines

Read the ingredients and allergen information before packing the bread, and make sure their choice suits the pupil and the school or after-school club’s policy.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking for the ‘wholemeal’ label, then consider which texture and shape will fit in the lunchbox. Before packing, check the latest ingredients and allergen information too.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare fibre per 100 g. When replacing white bread, I want to know whether the bread I choose is wholemeal and how much fibre it contains. This is the main priority for around 36% of consumers.
Texture and shape Compare fine or coarser bread, sliced loaves or rolls, and portion size. My child prefers fine-textured bread, or a roll fits more easily in the lunchbox. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this when choosing.
Allergens and baker’s salt Read the ingredients and allergen information; check for baker’s salt if iodine from bread is a consideration. Before packing, I need to know whether the ingredients are suitable for the pupil and meet the school’s guidelines. This check is the top priority for around 21% of consumers.
Packaging and storage Check the pack size and the product’s storage or freezing instructions. I want to buy an amount we can use for school lunches without relying on an unsuitable way of storing it. This practical consideration comes first for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark or multigrain bread is automatically wholemeal

    According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ tells you how many types of grain have been used, not whether the bread is wholemeal. The colour and visible seeds don’t tell you that either.

    Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name, then compare the nutritional information, including fibre per 100 g.

  • Confusing high-fibre bread with allergen-free bread

    Wholemeal bread may contain wheat, gluten or other allergens. Jumbo Fijn Volkoren, for example, lists wheat and barley; PLUS Boeren volkoren heel also lists soya.

    Read the label on the bread you choose and check the school or after-school club’s guidelines before packing it.

  • Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt

    The Dutch Nutrition Centre highlights bread baked with baker’s salt as a consideration for iodine intake. The type of bread alone doesn’t tell you whether the product you’ve chosen was made with it.

    Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt, or ask about it when buying unpackaged bread.

  • Relying on a product page you viewed earlier as a definitive label

    Ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, as Albert Heijn and PLUS point out in their product information.

    Check the packaging again when you buy the bread, especially if a particular ingredient or allergen affects your choice.

Brands with suitable wholemeal breads

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers several wholemeal breads, including round wholemeal loaves and sourdough varieties.

  • The product name makes it easier to choose a specific variety.
  • Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging, as product information can change.

Jumbo

Jumbo Fijn Volkoren is a specific option for anyone looking for a finer bread texture.

  • Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre and 1,00 g of salt per 100 g for this product.
  • The product lists wheat and barley; check whether its allergens are suitable for the pupil in question.

Lidl

Lidl offers fine wholemeal bread and wholemeal rolls, among other options.

  • Lidl lists a pack size of 800 g for Fijn volkoren.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for your chosen variety on the packaging.

ALDI

ALDI offers fine wholemeal bread, wholemeal rolls and an extra-high-fibre wholemeal variety.

  • ALDI says its daily-fresh wholemeal breads are made with 100% wholemeal flour.
  • Check the information for the individual product to find out about its fibre, salt and allergens.

PLUS

PLUS Boeren volkoren heel has product information that makes it possible to compare values per 100 g.

  • PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g for this bread.
  • The product lists wheat, barley and soya, among other ingredients; PLUS warns that product information can change.

Dirk

Dirk offers wholemeal breads in different shapes, including a bâtard loaf.

  • The shape gives you a useful starting point when choosing bread for a lunchbox.
  • Check the packaging for nutritional information and allergens for the variety you choose.

Wholemeal bread at Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is wholemeal bread a good alternative to white bread in school lunches?

The Dutch Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible, citing its fibre content. Choose a bread your child will eat, and check the ingredients if allergens are a concern.

How can I tell whether bread is wholemeal?

Start by looking for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the packaging, then read the ingredients. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that, for wholemeal products, the grain ingredient must consist entirely of wholemeal flour. A dark colour or a ‘multigrain’ label alone is no substitute for checking.

Does wholemeal bread contain gluten?

Wholemeal wheat bread contains gluten, but ingredients vary from product to product. Jumbo Fijn Volkoren, for example, lists wheat and barley. Always check the latest label for the pupil in question and make sure the lunch follows the school’s guidelines.

What should I check if baker’s salt matters?

Check whether the bread you choose was made with baker’s salt. The Dutch Nutrition Centre mentions bread made with baker’s salt in connection with iodine. For packaged bread, check the ingredients list; for unpackaged bread, ask the seller.

Can I freeze wholemeal bread for school lunches later on?

Follow the instructions for the bread you choose. PLUS says that Boeren volkoren heel can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. Don’t assume the same time limit applies to other breads.