Wholemeal Bread for Toddlers: Thick Slices or Cut Yourself?

Who might find the type of cut makes a difference?

Parents who want to cut pieces themselves

With a whole or unsliced wholemeal loaf, you can choose the thickness and shape of the pieces at home. Albert Heijn and PLUS list these types of bread in their ranges.

Parents of a toddler who prefers a finer texture

You want to be able to choose a portion and cut that suit your child. Fine-textured or pre-sliced bread may be more practical, but the name alone doesn’t tell you how easy it is for a child to eat.

Parents packing bread for their child

As well as the type of cut, it’s important to check the latest allergen information, the rules at your child’s school or nursery, and how to store the bread.

What should you look for when buying?

Start by checking that the bread is labelled wholemeal, then choose a type of cut that suits breakfast at home or the bread you’re packing for your child.

What to consider	What to check when buying	Who it matters to
Wholemeal	Look for the word wholemeal on the bread or packaging; brown or multigrain doesn’t mean the same thing. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour.	When I want to buy wholemeal bread for breakfast, I don’t want to judge it by its colour alone. For around 23% of consumers, being clearly labelled wholemeal is said to be the main reason for buying.
Cutting it yourself	Check whether the bread is sold whole or unsliced. Names such as rustic or farmhouse don’t indicate a set slice thickness.	I want to choose how thick each slice is and what size pieces to cut for my child. For around 29% of consumers, that freedom is said to be the top priority.
Texture and convenience	Check whether the bread is fine-textured, sliced or unsliced; choose a portion and shape that your child finds comfortable to eat.	If my child prefers a different texture, that matters more to me than a thick slice. Around 18% of consumers are said to put texture and ease of eating first.
Allergens and rules	Read the latest ingredients and allergen information for the product you’ve chosen, and ask your child’s school or nursery about its rules.	When I pack bread for my child, I want to know whether the ingredients suit them and meet the rules at their school or nursery. For around 18% of consumers, this is said to be the main consideration.
Storage	Choose a whole or half loaf that suits how much you use, and think about which portions you’ll want to freeze.	I don’t want to cut more bread than we can eat in time. For around 12% of consumers, reducing leftovers is said to be the main reason for buying.

Common mistakes

Assuming rustic or farmhouse means thickly sliced

These words don’t indicate a set slice thickness. The product name alone won’t tell you how thick a pre-sliced loaf is.

If you want to choose the thickness yourself, pick a whole or unsliced loaf. If you’re buying pre-sliced bread, check the actual slices.
Confusing multigrain with wholemeal

According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread labelled wholemeal is made from 100% wholemeal flour. Multigrain or a claim about fibre doesn’t mean that on its own.

First check whether the bread is labelled wholemeal, then compare the rest of the product information.
Relying on the allergen information from a previous purchase

Ingredients and allergen information can change. PLUS also points this out in its online product information.

Check the current packaging for the bread you’re using. If you’re packing it for your child, ask separately about the rules at their school or nursery.
Buying a whole loaf without a plan for leftovers

Cutting it yourself gives you more control, but an opened loaf also needs to suit how much your family eats. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing opened wholemeal bread for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard or 1–3 months in the freezer.

Divide the loaf into portions you can use, and freeze any you won’t get through in a few days.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists whole, sliced and unsliced wholemeal options.

An unsliced loaf lets you choose the slice thickness at home.
A loaf’s name doesn’t tell you the exact thickness of its slices.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists products including Fijn Volkoren and Boeren Tijger Volkoren.

Boeren Tijger Volkoren is described as a whole wholemeal wheat loaf.
Fijn and tijger don’t indicate a set slice thickness; check the format of the product you choose.

Lidl

Lidl describes a kids’ bread made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.

Lidl’s description helps you find an option with a finer texture.
The freshly baked range can vary by store; check the latest product information on the bread for ingredients and allergens.

ALDI

ALDI lists Fijn Volkoren as sliced bread and also offers other wholemeal options.

Fijn Volkoren is explicitly listed as sliced.
Sliced doesn’t tell you how thick each slice is.

PLUS

PLUS provides product information for options including Boeren volkoren heel and Rond fijn volkoren heel.

You can check the listed ingredients and allergens for these loaves.
PLUS warns that product information may change, so check the packaging before use.

Dirk

Dirk lists several wholemeal breads from Bakker van der Akker, including whole loaves.

The word whole helps you find bread you can cut yourself.
Check the type of cut and the latest product information for the option you choose.

Wholemeal bread at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I recognise wholemeal bread?

Check whether the bread or packaging says wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; brown bread is a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour.

How many slices of bread does the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommend for a child aged 1 to 3?

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends around 2 to 3 slices of bread a day, usually split between breakfast and lunch. Adjust the amount you offer to suit your child’s appetite and circumstances.

Does all Dutch bread contain iodine through baker’s salt?

You can’t assume this is true of every loaf. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may only be present in bread and other bakery products through the addition of baker’s salt. Check the ingredients of the bread you choose.

How long can I keep opened wholemeal bread?

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard or 1–3 months in the freezer. Freeze portions you won’t use within a few days, and follow the date and storage instructions on unopened packaging.