First, choose bread that is clearly labelled as wholemeal, then check the label to see whether it also contains sourdough: sourdough alone tells you nothing about how much wholemeal flour the bread contains. For tea time with children, the current allergen information, a suitable portion size and the texture also matter. If you’re taking the bread to school, check the school or group’s food policy too.
If you want wholemeal bread for tea time, don’t rely on its dark colour or the word sourdough. Check whether the product description says wholemeal and which flours are listed in the ingredients. The Voedingscentrum recommends wholemeal bread for children because of its fibre.
If there’s a known allergy or a food policy at the school or group, the current ingredients and allergen information are key. Check any warnings on the packaging before packing the bread too.
A smaller loaf can be handy for a short tea break. If you buy a whole loaf for several occasions, you can freeze it in portions and take out only what you need each time.
Start with the wholemeal label and the ingredients. Then check whether the allergen information, portion size and storage instructions suit the way you plan to serve the bread.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and sourdough | Look for a clear wholemeal label and check which flour and raising agent are listed in the ingredients. Compare fibre content on a like-for-like basis only, for example per 100 g. | I want to be sure the bread for our tea time really is wholemeal, not just dark or rustic. Around 43% of consumers give this check top priority. |
| Allergens and school food policies | Read the current ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on the packaging. If you’re taking the bread to school, check the school or group’s food policy. | If I’m packing bread or need to take an allergy into account, I want to know which grains and other ingredients it contains. This is the main consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Texture, portions and storage | Check that the loaf’s size, crust and slicing suit the occasion, and read the storage instructions. | For a small tea break, I want to be able to portion the bread without having much left over, and the crust needs to suit those eating it. This is the main consideration for around 28% of consumers. |
Sourdough tells you about the raising agent, not how much wholemeal flour the bread contains. A loaf’s colour doesn’t prove that it’s wholemeal either.
Look for the word wholemeal in the product description and check the types of flour listed in the ingredients.
Sourdough bread may also contain other gluten-containing grains or ingredients such as seeds. If there’s an allergy or a school food policy to consider, the ingredients in the specific variety matter.
Read the current packaging, including the allergen information and warnings, before serving or packing the bread.
A whole loaf may be more than you need for one short tea break.
If needed, choose a smaller loaf or freeze a whole loaf in portions after buying it.
Without a plan for the leftovers, some of the bread may go uneaten.
These brands offer different things to consider when choosing; always check the label on the loaf you’re actually buying.
For AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren, Albert Heijn lists both the wholemeal wheat label and the ingredients.
Jumbo describes a range of fresh sourdough breads for anyone looking for a loaf baked in store.
PLUS lists options including a small wholemeal sourdough loaf and a wholemeal sourdough baguette.
Lidl lists a rustic wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf for in-store purchase.
ALDI is an option if choosing wholemeal bread matters more to you than choosing sourdough specifically.
Dirk stocks wholemeal bread and also lists sourdough as a type of bread.
No. Sourdough describes the raising agent and doesn’t confirm that the bread is wholemeal. For this choice, look for a clear wholemeal label and check which flour is listed in the ingredients.
The breads mentioned here that contain wheat, rye or barley include gluten-containing grains. If you have an allergy or another reason to avoid certain ingredients, always check the current allergen information for the specific variety; product ingredients can change.
Check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and warnings, and follow the school or group’s food policy if there is one. Don’t rely solely on the product name or a product page you looked at previously.
You can’t tell from the name sourdough. Check the ingredients list if iodised salt is important to your choice; Albert Heijn, for example, lists it for AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren.
If you want to spread it across several occasions, freeze the bread in portions after buying it. That way, you can take out what you need each time. Also follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the loaf you choose.
