Wholemeal bread is a sensible starting point if you want to replace white bread in a daily school lunch. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain products contain more fibre and other important nutrients than white grain products. If your child finds a coarse texture difficult, you could try a finer wholemeal option. Check that the specific loaf is labelled wholemeal and read the latest allergen information, especially if your child or school has specific requirements.
If you want to replace white bread in your child’s daily lunchbox, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends considering wholemeal bread. Compare the nutritional information for the specific product if fibre is a key consideration.
Fine wholemeal bread may be worth trying if your child struggles mainly with coarse bread. Lidl describes its own kids’ bread as being made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour, but that doesn’t tell you how any individual child will find the texture.
If your child has a relevant food allergy, check the information for the specific bread before packing it. Also check the school’s rules for packed lunches.
When switching from white bread, first check that the loaf is labelled wholemeal, then consider whether its texture is right for your child’s lunchbox. If allergens are a concern, check the details of the specific product before choosing a type of bread.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the specific loaf and compare the fibre per 100 g or per equal-sized portion. | If I’m replacing white bread for a daily lunch, I want to know that I’m actually choosing a wholemeal option. This would be the main purchase consideration for around 50% of consumers. |
| Texture and whether your child will eat it | Check whether it’s fine wholemeal bread and whether its shape suits what your child wants to eat. | My child leaves coarse slices uneaten, so I’m looking for a finer wholemeal texture they’ll be willing to try. For around 30% of consumers, whether a child will accept the bread would be the main consideration. |
| Allergens | For packaged bread, read the latest label. For unpackaged bread, ask about the allergen information for the specific variety before buying. | Before packing bread for school, I need to know whether its ingredients and allergens meet my child’s requirements. For around 20% of consumers, checking this would be the top priority. |
The colour and added ingredients don’t tell you whether the grain ingredient is made entirely from wholemeal flour. In July 2024, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority also reported that an inspection had found products incorrectly labelled as wholemeal.
Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the specific product and check the latest product information, rather than relying only on the front of the packaging.
An appealing type of bread isn’t automatically suitable if your child needs to avoid certain allergens. With unpackaged bread, the information may not be available on an individual wrapper.
Read the label on packaged bread. For unpackaged bread, ask about the allergen information before buying and check the school’s rules separately.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, opened wholemeal bread can be kept in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 4 days, or in the freezer for 1 to 3 months. So it’s worth considering how much you’ll use during the school week.
Consider buying half a loaf or freezing portions if you won’t finish a whole loaf within a few days.
Albert Heijn has an online category featuring a range of wholemeal breads, including Zaans wholemeal and Waldkorn wholemeal varieties.
Jumbo’s bread range includes fine wholemeal, hearty wholemeal and multigrain wholemeal options.
Lidl’s freshly baked range includes both fine wholemeal bread and wholemeal kids’ bread.
ALDI’s range includes sliced fine wholemeal bread and a separate extra-high-fibre wholemeal variety.
As well as wholemeal loaves, PLUS offers wholemeal bake-at-home rolls.
Alongside white and multigrain bread, Dirk offers wholemeal artisan loaves and wholemeal batards.
This selection features Lebanese wholemeal flatbread: a different option for a school lunch from ordinary sliced bread. Consider whether it’s suitable for the fillings you want to add and how you plan to pack it.
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This wholemeal flatbread is a good option if you’re looking for something different from sliced bread for a school lunch.
Before packing it, check the latest ingredient and allergen information and storage instructions on the packaging.
Yes, especially if fibre is an important part of your child’s daily school lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible. If your child won’t eat coarse bread, you could try a finer wholemeal texture.
Check that the specific product is labelled ‘wholemeal’, rather than relying on its brown colour or the presence of seeds. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, the grain ingredient must be made entirely from wholemeal flour for bread to carry that label.
For pre-packed bread, read the latest label for the specific variety. For unpackaged bread, ask about the allergen information before buying. Also check the requirements for your child and their school.
Keep only the amount you’ll use soon outside the freezer, and freeze the rest in portions if needed. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says opened wholemeal bread can be kept in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 4 days and in the freezer for 1 to 3 months.
