Parents looking for a wholemeal breakfast staple
For parents of a child aged 1 to 3 who can eat regular bread and is often served wholemeal bread. The Voedingscentrum recommends bread as part of breakfast and lunch for this age group.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Parents of a fussy or slow breakfast eater
If texture or a small appetite is an issue, a finer-textured loaf and a small portion cut into suitable pieces can make it easier to offer. The Voedingscentrum advises against giving a child with little appetite in the morning too much at once.
Parents who need to check allergens
If your child has coeliac disease, a wheat allergy or other relevant allergies, it’s important to check the information for the exact loaf. Also check the nursery or school’s food policy before packing bread for your child.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the wholemeal label and the product information. Then choose a type of loaf and portion size that suit the way your toddler eats, and check allergens separately from the nutritional information.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check that it is labelled wholemeal and read the ingredients; compare fibre on the same basis, per 100 g. | I want to know if the bread is genuinely wholemeal, rather than relying on its dark colour. For around 36% of consumers, choosing wholemeal and fibre is the top priority. |
| Texture and ease of eating | Check the texture of the bread and, if needed, offer small pieces cut to a suitable size. | My toddler eats slowly in the morning or leaves coarse bread; I’m looking for something I can offer without having to coax them. Ease of eating matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Allergens and rules outside the home | Read the current ingredients and allergen information; ask for details about unpackaged bread and check the nursery or school’s policy. | If my child needs to avoid certain ingredients or takes bread to nursery, I want to know in advance what’s in it and what’s allowed there. For around 21% of consumers, these checks are the top priority. |
| Size and storage | Choose a loaf size that suits how you use bread at home and follow the storage instructions for the product you buy. | We don’t eat the same amount of bread every day, so I want a size that suits our routine. For around 14% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking dark or multigrain bread for wholemeal
The colour and product name alone don’t tell you whether bread is wholemeal. In 2024, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority reported that some products it examined were incorrectly labelled as wholemeal.
Check that it is labelled wholemeal and read the ingredients on the packaging, not just the front of the bread bag.
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Looking only at fibre
The fibre content doesn’t tell you how much salt a loaf contains or which allergens it includes. Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo shows that fibre and salt levels vary between individual wholemeal breads.
Compare both nutritional values per 100 g and check the allergens for the exact product. If your child has a diagnosed allergy or coeliac disease, follow their individual treatment advice.
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Continuing to offer a large or coarse slice
If your child has little appetite in the morning, a large portion can make breakfast difficult. The Voedingscentrum recommends a relaxed mealtime and pieces that aren’t too large for a toddler.
Start with a small portion cut into suitable pieces. A finer-textured wholemeal loaf may be an option if your child prefers that texture.
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Relying on an outdated product description
Ingredients and allergen information can change. This matters if your child needs to avoid a particular ingredient or you want to pack bread for nursery.
Read the packaging of the bread you actually buy. For unpackaged bread, ask for the allergen information.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
AH Rond volkoren heel has a clear label you can use to compare fibre, salt and ingredients with other loaves.
- Albert Heijn lists 6,9 g of fibre and 0,9 g of salt per 100 g for this product, as well as iodised salt and cereals containing gluten, including rye and wheat.
- Albert Heijn says that product and allergen information can change, so check the packaging when you buy it.
Jumbo
Fijn Volkorenbrood is an option to consider if you’re looking for a finer bread texture.
- Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre and 1,0 g of salt per 100 g for this bread.
- The ingredients include wheat and barley; information about the possible presence of other allergens applies to this specific product.
Lidl
Lidl describes a kids’ bread made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour, which may be worth considering if you’re looking for a less coarse texture.
- The description of the finely milled flour gives you a useful starting point for comparing bread textures.
- The product name alone won’t tell you whether your child will like the texture. Check the ingredients and allergens for the product you choose.
ALDI
Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood is an option to compare with other wholemeal breads using the nutrition table.
- According to ALDI, this product has 30% less salt and 30% more fibre than regular wholemeal bread, based on NEVO-Online 2021 7.0. This comparison is a retailer claim.
- The claim doesn’t tell you about allergens or whether your toddler will like the texture, so check the current label.
PLUS
PLUS Boeren volkoren heel has published nutritional values and ingredients that you can compare with other loaves.
- PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g for this product.
- The ingredients include wheat, barley and soya, among others. PLUS notes that product information can change, so check the packaging.
Dirk
Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren half is a half loaf to include when comparing loaf sizes.
- A half loaf may be useful if a whole loaf doesn’t suit your household’s eating habits.
- Before comparing this product with other breads, check the packaging for nutritional information, ingredients and allergens.
Wholemeal bread at Joybuy
These products show two types of bread: a Lebanese wholemeal flatbread and round wholemeal loaves that need to be defrosted and baked. As well as considering the type of bread, check the current ingredients and allergens before choosing something for your toddler’s breakfast.
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Souq Lebanese wholemeal flatbread 6 P
A flatbread to consider if you want to offer pieces that suit the way your child eats; decide for yourself whether the texture is suitable. This product contains wheat and gluten, so it isn’t suitable for people with coeliac disease. Check the current packaging for other allergens too.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread 550 g x 2
A round wholemeal loaf for anyone who has time to defrost and bake bread before breakfast. The title states 550 g x 2. This product contains wheat and gluten; leave the bread to cool after baking before slicing it, and check the current allergen information.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread 550 g
A 550 g round wholemeal loaf for anyone who can fit defrosting and baking into their morning routine. This product contains wheat and gluten; let the bread cool before cutting it into suitable pieces, and check the current allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Roughly how much bread does a child aged 1 to 3 need?
The Voedingscentrum recommends around 2 to 3 slices of bread a day, usually split between breakfast and lunch. Don’t treat this as a target your child has to meet: how much they eat can vary from one meal to another.
Should I always choose finely textured wholemeal bread for my toddler?
No. A finer texture is mainly an option if your child finds it easier to eat. Check that finely textured bread is labelled wholemeal, and read the ingredients and allergen information too. If your child has little appetite in the morning, a small portion can help make breakfast more relaxed.
Is regular wholemeal bread suitable for someone with coeliac disease?
No. Regular wholemeal bread containing gluten-containing cereals isn’t suitable for a gluten-free diet for coeliac disease. Follow the treatment advice you’ve been given and check the ingredients and allergens of the bread you choose.
Does bakers’ salt mean that all bread in the Netherlands contains iodine?
No. Don’t assume that every type of bread contains iodised salt. The AH Rond volkoren heel that was checked lists iodised salt; check the ingredients of the product you buy.