For a fussy eater, try finely textured wholemeal bread first if your child is happy with the texture. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre considers wholemeal and brown bread suitable choices for children. If wholemeal bread still feels like a step too far, a white and wholemeal blend could be a good transition. Compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g, and check the allergens before packing the bread for school.
You’re looking for bread your child will want to eat after school, without judging it solely by its light colour or fine texture. Finely textured wholemeal bread is worth trying; if you opt for a transitional variety, its ingredients still matter most.
For a regular snack, you want to know whether a bread is genuinely wholemeal and how much fibre the packaging lists per 100 g. This figure can vary from one product to another.
You’ll need to take account of the allergens in your chosen bread and any classroom rules. Check both before packing a different variety.
First, check that your child is happy to eat the texture. Then compare the wholemeal content and fibre, and check the allergens and school rules before packing.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and acceptance | If a coarse texture is a barrier, try a finely textured wholemeal variety. For a lighter bread, compare the product description and ingredients. | For a fussy eater, I want to choose bread that’s pleasant to eat, without treating its colour as proof of what it contains. Around 40% of consumers put acceptability first. |
| Wholemeal content and fibre | Look for the wholemeal description and compare fibre per 100 g; if comparing per slice, use the same portion size. | For a regular snack, I look for a clearly stated wholemeal content and a fibre figure I can compare. For around 40% of consumers, this is the most important factor. |
| Allergens and school rules | Read the allergen information and any cross-contamination warnings on the current packaging. Check what rules apply in the classroom. | If bread is going to school, I want to know whether its ingredients are suitable given the allergies and classroom rules. For around 20% of consumers, this check matters most. |
The colour and the word ‘multigrain’ don’t tell you whether the bread is made entirely from wholegrain or wholemeal flour.
Look for the wholemeal description on the packaging, and check the ingredients list and fibre figure too.
Bread containing several grains, seeds or soya may contain allergens that aren’t in another bread. Jumbo lists wheat, barley, oats, rye, sesame and soya, among other ingredients, in its Waldkorn Wholemeal Bread.
For every different variety, check the current ingredients, allergens and any cross-contamination warnings.
Ingredients and allergen information can change, even if you buy the same bread regularly.
Check the packaging again when you buy it, especially if you’ve switched brand, type of bread or recipe.
Bread your child doesn’t like the taste or texture of may end up going uneaten.
Try a small amount or half a loaf first to see if your child will eat it.
Albert Heijn lists a range of products online, including wholemeal bread and multiseed bread.
Jumbo has online categories for white, wholemeal and multigrain bread, among other types.
PLUS lists wholemeal bread online, including fine and coarse varieties.
Dirk lists white, wholemeal, multigrain and sourdough bread, among other types.
This wholemeal flatbread is another type of bread you could try as an after-school snack. It isn’t a white and wholemeal blend; the only way to find out whether your child likes the taste and texture is to try it.
Image unavailable
For anyone who wants to try wholemeal flatbread as a snack; first, see if your child likes the texture.
The product information lists wheat and gluten, and warns that it may contain soya and milk. Check the current packaging if allergens are a concern.
Yes. If your child likes the texture, it’s a way to introduce them to wholemeal bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible. Compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g for the variety you choose.
No. The colour and the word ‘multigrain’ don’t prove that a bread is entirely wholemeal. Look for the wholemeal description and check the ingredients list.
Read the ingredients list, the highlighted allergens and any cross-contamination warnings on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that when ingredients contain gluten-containing cereals, the name of the cereal must be stated.
Check the product information if you want to know whether a bread is baked with baker’s salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights bread made with baker’s salt as important for children’s iodine intake; don’t assume every type of bread provides the same amount.
