Wholemeal bread with seeds can be a good choice if a fussy eater is happy with visible seeds and a firmer texture. If the texture puts them off, a softer wholemeal bread may be a better fit. In either case, check the wholemeal label, ingredients and allergen information: ‘multiseed’ alone doesn’t mean that a loaf is wholemeal.
Visible seeds or a firm crust may be enough to put a child off their bread. Offering a small piece without putting pressure on them is in line with the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice on fussy eating.
They want to choose bread with seeds without confusing ‘multiseed’ with ‘wholemeal’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the ‘wholemeal’ label on bread means it is made with wholemeal flour.
For them, the ingredients in the specific loaf matter, not just the type of bread. Check the latest allergen information on the packaging, or ask about it before buying unwrapped bread.
Start with a texture your child is willing to try. Then check whether the bread is actually labelled wholemeal and read the ingredients that matter to your household.
| What to consider | What to check | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and taste | Check whether the seeds are on the crust or inside the bread too. If you’re unsure, try a small portion first. | If visible seeds are a reason to leave bread uneaten, I want to see whether a small piece is accepted first. Texture is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal label | Look for ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging; with multiseed bread, compare the types of flour listed too. | When I want to buy wholemeal bread, I don’t want to be misled by a multiseed appearance. The wholemeal label is the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest allergen information. If baker’s salt matters to your choice, check whether it has been used too. | If I have a relevant allergy, I want to know what’s in the bread. If iodine matters, I want to be able to check whether baker’s salt is used. Around 25% of consumers make checking the label their top priority. |
A loaf can contain seeds and different grains and still be made partly with white flour. So it may not be the wholemeal bread you’re looking for.
Look for ‘wholemeal’ and read the ingredients list. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between wholemeal and multigrain; PLUS lists Korenlanders Rond licht meerzaden half as containing 30% wholemeal wheat flour and 22% wheat flour.
A loaf covered in visible seeds may go uneaten by a child who rejects unfamiliar textures, whatever your reason for choosing it.
Offer a small piece first, without pressuring them to eat it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against forcing a child when mealtimes are difficult; if they reject it, you could try a less strongly textured wholemeal bread.
If a whole loaf goes uneaten, it may lead to food waste.
‘Wholemeal’ and ‘with seeds’ don’t tell you which allergens are in a particular loaf. Sesame, cereals containing gluten and soya may all be relevant, depending on the product.
Check the latest allergen information every time you buy, including any warnings about traces. For unwrapped bread, ask about allergens before buying.
The type of bread alone doesn’t tell you whether baker’s salt has been used. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights its importance for children’s iodine intake.
Check the product information or ask the baker if baker’s salt matters to your choice.
Albert Heijn describes AH Les Pains Bastille heel as a wholemeal multiseed loaf.
ALDI describes its bread range as including both wholemeal bread and multigrain bread with grains and seeds.
PLUS provides a percentage breakdown of the ingredients for Korenlanders Rond licht meerzaden half.
Dirk describes a bread range that includes wholemeal and multigrain bread.
No. Seeds alone tell you nothing about the types of flour used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘wholemeal’ on bread means it is made with wholemeal flour, while ‘multigrain’ means it contains several types of grain. So check for the wholemeal label and read the ingredients list.
Start with a small piece and don’t pressure your child to eat it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends small portions for fussy eaters and advises against forcing them. If the seeds put them off, you could try a softer wholemeal bread.
Check the allergen information for the specific loaf. Wheat and other cereals containing gluten, sesame or soya may be relevant; other ingredients and warnings about traces also vary by product. For packaged bread, read the latest label. For unwrapped bread, ask about allergen information before buying.
Don’t assume that every loaf is made with baker’s salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of baker’s salt for children’s iodine intake. Check the product information or ask the baker if this matters to your choice.
