Who is this choice relevant to?

Parents looking for everyday wholemeal bread

You want a familiar bread option for breakfast and lunch for your toddler or young child. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread contains the most fibre of the bread types discussed, so check that your chosen bread is actually labelled wholemeal.

Parents who need to check allergens

You may need to take an allergy, coeliac disease or school or nursery requirements into account. Read the information for the exact product: according to the Voedingscentrum, even a small amount of gluten can matter for someone with coeliac disease. Check separately with the school or nursery about its policy on food brought from home.

Parents looking for a practical type of bread

Half or whole loaves, sliced bread or individual rolls can each fit into your breakfast routine in different ways. Check which options are available at your shop, then assess the ingredients and allergens for the specific variant.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the wholemeal label and the bread’s ingredients. Then compare the information that matters to you, such as fibre per 100 g, allergens and the type of bread.

What to look for What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the wholemeal label. Compare the fibre per 100 g of specific bread products. If I’m looking for an everyday breakfast sandwich, I want to know that the bread is genuinely wholemeal rather than simply dark in colour. For around 36% of consumers, choosing wholemeal comes first.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the exact variant; ask for this information if the bread is not pre-packed. If I have an allergy or need to avoid gluten, I need to know what’s in this bread before giving it to my child. For around 29% of consumers, this check is their top priority.
Portion and type of bread Consider whether a whole or half loaf, sliced bread or a roll would work for breakfast. If my child prefers a smaller portion in the morning, I look for a type of bread that’s easy to serve. This practical consideration matters most to an estimated 21% of consumers.
Local availability Check your shop’s current range and the product information for the available variant. For a regular breakfast, I want to be able to find a suitable wholemeal option at the shop where I do my food shopping. Availability is the deciding factor for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal

    The colour or the word ‘multigrain’ does not confirm that bread is wholemeal. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread contains the most fibre of the bread types discussed.

    First look for the wholemeal label, then compare the fibre per 100 g if needed.

  • Relying only on the shop category when dealing with allergies

    Ingredients and allergens relate to each individual bread product, not to the category as a whole. The Voedingscentrum points out that even a small amount of gluten can matter for someone with coeliac disease.

    Read the current packaging or ask for allergen information if the bread is not pre-packed. Also check the school or nursery’s requirements before packing bread.

  • Assuming the online range is the same as the in-store range

    Lidl says its fresh bread range can vary by store. So a type of bread shown online may not be the one available locally.

    Check what your shop stocks and read the information for the bread you actually choose.

  • Using one product feature as a complete check

    Information about fibre or salt alone won’t tell you which allergens a bread contains or whether baker’s salt has been used.

    Compare these features only for the specific products you’re considering, and also read their ingredients and allergen information.

Supermarkets to explore

This supermarket information can help you find different types of bread and product details; always assess the exact variant before buying.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists several wholemeal breads, including half and whole loaves and floor-baked bread.

  • You can search the wholemeal range by type of bread.
  • Check availability at your shop and the ingredients of the variant you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo provides ingredients and allergen information for individual bread products.

  • The product information can help you assess a specific variant.
  • A product page you saw previously doesn’t confirm that the same bread is available now; check the current listing.

Lidl

Lidl lists fresh bread and wholemeal rolls, among other options, and provides an ingredients and allergen overview for oven-fresh bread.

  • Individual rolls are another type of bread to consider.
  • Lidl says its fresh range can vary by store; check the information for the product available locally.

Aldi

Aldi lists whole and half loaves, as well as finely sliced wholemeal bread.

  • The sliced option gives you a specific choice of bread type.
  • Check the nutritional information and allergens for each variant; a feature of one loaf doesn’t apply to the entire range.

Plus

PLUS provides ingredients and nutritional information for PLUS Boeren wholemeal bread, whole loaf.

  • You can use the information for this specific bread when comparing products.
  • PLUS says product information may change; check the current packaging too.

Dirk

Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Boeren wholemeal bread, whole loaf, among other products.

  • A wholemeal loaf is a familiar type of bread to look for in the range.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging or in store.

Bread options on Joybuy

These bread options come in different forms: flatbread, a rye option and a round loaf that needs to be prepared. Choose the type that suits your breakfast and check the current ingredients and allergens for each product.

Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat 6 P

Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat 6 P

This wholemeal wheat flatbread is an option if you’d like to serve a different type of bread at breakfast.

This product contains wheat and gluten. Also check the current packaging for information about possible traces of soya and milk, and whether baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients.

View on Joybuy
Bolletje Rye Bread Bun 500 g

Bolletje Rye Bread Bun 500 g

This 500 g pack of rye bread is an option if you’d like to compare different types of bread for breakfast.

The product information lists wheat, rye and gluten-containing cereals. Check the current packaging for complete ingredients and allergen information, and to see whether baker’s salt is mentioned.

View on Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

This 550 g round wholemeal wheat loaf is a good option if you have time to bake the bread for breakfast at home.

The bread needs to be defrosted, baked and cooled before you slice it. Follow the preparation instructions on the packaging, and check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information there too. The stated fibre and salt values are only useful for comparison if the unit and nutritional basis are clear.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Roughly how much bread does a child aged 1 to 3 eat?

The Voedingscentrum recommends around 2 to 3 slices of bread a day, usually divided between breakfast and lunch. This is a general guideline, not an amount a child needs to eat at one breakfast.

Is brown bread the same as wholemeal bread?

No, the brown colour doesn’t confirm that bread is wholemeal. Check the product description: according to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread contains the most fibre of the bread types discussed.

What should I look for to find out whether bread contains baker’s salt?

Check the ingredients list of the bread you’ve chosen for baker’s salt. The Voedingscentrum explains that iodine is added to baker’s salt; don’t rely on the type of bread alone to work out whether a specific product contains it.

Can regular wholemeal bread be taken to school or nursery if a child has a wheat allergy or needs to avoid gluten?

Don’t assume regular wholemeal bread is suitable: check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product, and follow the child’s specific instructions. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on labels. Also ask the school or nursery about its own requirements for food brought from home.