Start with wholemeal sourdough bread whose flavour and texture you can assess before buying a lot of it. A familiar slice may feel more approachable to a fussy eater than a pronounced flavour or a coarse texture. Also check the wholemeal description, ingredients and allergens on the current packaging; sourdough does not automatically mean that bread is wholemeal or gluten-free. For young children, choose a texture that suits their chewing ability, and consider offering a new flavour again later, without pressure.
If you want to keep offering wholemeal bread, it’s worth considering its texture and introducing new flavours gently. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends offering a rejected flavour again later, without pressure.
For a regular breakfast or lunch, it’s not just the wholemeal description that matters, but also the shape, whether it’s pre-sliced and how it can be stored. With bread containing grains or a firm crust, texture can be the deciding factor.
If you’d like to explore a new bread flavour, start by checking the flavour and texture description of a specific product. Albert Heijn generally describes sourdough as slightly sour and complex, but that doesn’t tell you how pronounced the flavour of each individual loaf will be.
When choosing wholemeal sourdough for a fussy eater, start with a flavour and texture they’ll accept. Then check the label and consider whether the bread is practical to use in small quantities.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and mouthfeel | Read the description of the flavour and crust, and look out for visible grains, seeds or toppings. | If an unfamiliar sour flavour or coarse texture could put someone off, I’d want to try a familiar slice first; around 46% of consumers prioritise flavour and mouthfeel. |
| Wholemeal and allergens | Check the wholemeal description, ingredients and allergens on the current packaging. | For an everyday slice, I want to know what grain it contains and which allergens are present; around 27% of consumers give checking the label top priority. |
| Everyday use | Check whether the bread is pre-sliced, can be stored in suitable portions and is available at your preferred shop. | If only a few slices are eaten at a time, I want to be able to store the rest; around 27% of consumers prioritise practicality. |
A slightly sour flavour can be a big step for someone who prefers familiar bread flavours. Albert Heijn generally describes sourdough as slightly sour and complex, but individual loaves can vary.
Read the bread’s description and, if you’re unsure, try a small amount first.
Sourdough describes the leavening agent; it doesn’t automatically tell you what grain the bread contains. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that a product can only be called wholemeal if all the grain ingredients are wholemeal flour.
Check the product name and ingredients list instead of judging by the colour or rustic appearance.
Albert Heijn’s Allinson wholemeal sourdough bread contains wheat grains and cracked wheat; other breads may have a different texture. For a young child or someone sensitive to texture, that bite can make all the difference.
Read the product description and, for young children, choose bread with a texture that suits their current chewing ability.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. An earlier online description isn’t enough to help you choose bread if you have a specific dietary restriction.
Check the current packaging before eating, or ask for allergen information when buying unpackaged bread in store.
Albert Heijn’s range includes AH OerDesem wholemeal Allinson, whole loaf, sliced, and AH Liefde & Passie Dutch wholemeal sourdough.
Jumbo’s rustic sourdough range also includes wholemeal pumpkin sourdough.
Lidl describes its Rustic wholemeal sourdough bread as a wholemeal wheat sourdough bread.
ALDI Fijn Volkoren is a sliced wholemeal loaf for anyone looking for a familiar slice.
PLUS sells a Korenlanders wholemeal baguette made with sourdough.
Dirk’s bread range includes both wholemeal bread and sourdough.
This bake-at-home wholemeal bread is an option if you’d like to assess the flavour and texture for yourself. Before buying, check that the ingredients and preparation method suit the person who’ll be eating it; this product alone doesn’t tell you what other sourdough breads will taste like.
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For anyone who wants to bake a wholemeal loaf at home and decide for themselves whether the flavour and texture suit a fussy eater.
Pack size: 2 × 550 g. Allow time to defrost and bake the bread before serving.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information if wheat, gluten or the bread’s texture is important to your choice.
No. Sourdough describes the leavening agent, not the type of flour used. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a product can only be called wholemeal if all the grain ingredients are wholemeal flour. Check the product name and ingredients list.
No. The product information for AH OerDesem wholemeal Allinson and AH Liefde & Passie Dutch wholemeal sourdough lists wheat and cereals containing gluten. Don’t rely on the word sourdough to tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with an allergy or following a gluten-free diet; check the current label for the specific loaf.
Offer a small taste without pressure, and consider trying a rejected flavour again later. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises continuing to offer new flavours calmly; also make sure the bread’s texture is suitable for the child’s chewing ability.
You can, as long as the storage instructions for the specific bread allow it. According to Albert Heijn, AH OerDesem wholemeal Allinson and AH Liefde & Passie Dutch wholemeal sourdough can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and used within one month; check the current packaging.
Don’t assume that every loaf contains iodised salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes baker’s salt as the permitted source of iodine compounds in bread and other baked goods. Check the ingredients list if the type of salt used is important to your choice.
