Households keeping an eye on bread costs
You buy bread regularly and want to keep costs down while choosing a size you’ll finish. The Netherlands Bakery Centre identifies affordability as an important factor in how people rate bread.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Families with a texture-sensitive eater
Coarse grains, visible seeds or a hard crust can be reasons to try a finer-textured or softer loaf first. Whether the eater accepts it is a personal matter.
Shoppers who read labels carefully
You want to check the type of bread, fibre, salt, allergens and whether it contains bakers’ salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread for children aged 4 to 12 and points out that bakers’ salt is not compulsory.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, choose a texture your fussy eater is likely to enjoy. Then compare the size and price of similar loaves, and read the label for the information that matters to your household.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Price and waste | For the same type of bread, compare the weight and price per kilogram, and choose a whole or half loaf you’ll finish. | If little bread is eaten, I don’t want to pay for slices that go uneaten. Around 42% of consumers would put price and waste first. |
| Texture and taste | Look at the crumb, crust and any visible seeds; if needed, try a small amount first. | If coarse grains are off-putting, I want to know whether the eater will accept a finer texture. For around 33% of consumers, this would come first. |
| Wholemeal and labelling | Read the bread description, ingredients and allergens; if needed, check the fibre and salt per 100 g and whether bakers’ salt is listed. | When choosing bread for a child or avoiding certain ingredients, I want to be able to check the packaging myself. Choosing wholemeal and checking the label would be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Looking only at the price per loaf
You can’t fairly compare a half loaf with a whole loaf, or two different types of bread, on price per item alone.
Where possible, compare the price per kilogram of similar loaves. Also think about which size you’ll actually finish.
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Assuming all bread contains bakers’ salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using bakers’ salt when baking bread is not compulsory. So the name of the bread won’t tell you whether this ingredient has been used.
Check the ingredients list for bakers’ salt or iodised salt if that matters to your household.
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Overlooking the texture of wholemeal bread
A loaf with coarse grains, seeds or a hard crust may be rejected by someone who is particularly sensitive to texture.
Try one finer-textured or softer option first rather than buying several loaves at once.
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Guessing allergens from the name of the bread
Breads with similar names can contain different ingredients and carry different allergen warnings.
Check the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging each time you buy, even if you’ve bought the bread before.
Supermarkets to consider
These supermarkets offer a range of bread types and sizes. Compare a specific loaf and its current packaging, rather than looking at the shop name alone.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn sells products including AH Rond volkoren heel.
- For this loaf, you can check the ingredients, nutritional information, allergens and freezing advice.
- Albert Heijn warns that product information can change, so check the packaging when you buy.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers products including fine wholemeal bread and half-size loaves.
- For Fijn Volkorenbrood, Jumbo provides nutritional information and details of allergens.
- Check which size you’re looking at before comparing loaves.
Lidl
Lidl lists several types of bread, including a kids’ wholemeal loaf made with finely milled flour.
- Lidl says the wholemeal flour in this kids’ loaf is extra finely milled, giving you a specific texture to consider.
- The range varies by store. You’ll need to decide for yourself whether the eater likes the texture.
Aldi
Aldi lists fine wholemeal and wholemeal tiger bread among its freshly baked bread options.
- These types of bread offer different textures to compare with the eater’s preferences.
- Check the latest in-store information and the size of the loaf before you choose.
PLUS
PLUS sells products including Boeren volkoren heel.
- For this loaf, PLUS lists the ingredients, allergens, bakers’ salt and freezing advice.
- As always, check the latest packaging. Product details and information at local stores may change.
Dirk
Under the Bakker van der Akker range, Dirk lists products including wholemeal bread, white bread and half-size loaves.
- A half-size loaf may be worth considering if you don’t finish a whole one.
- Check the weight of the specific loaf before comparing sizes.
Bread and rolls at Joybuy
Compare these bread and roll options with your preferences for texture, pack size and label information. The product name alone won’t tell you whether a fussy eater will accept a product or which option is best value.
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Bolletje Rye Bread Bun 500 g
Consider this rye bread if you’d like to try a different type; take the eater’s texture preferences into account.
The product name states 500 g. Check the latest packaging for ingredients, allergens and any bakers’ salt.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g
This round wholemeal wheat bread could suit households where thawing and baking it fits into mealtimes.
The product name states 550 g. Follow the preparation instructions and check the latest packaging for ingredients, allergens and any bakers’ salt. The finished texture may not suit every eater.
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g'woon Multigrain Rolls, 4 stuks
A pack of four multigrain rolls gives you a set amount to try if you’re not sure whether the eater will accept this type of bread.
Multigrain isn’t the same as wholemeal. Check the latest packaging for the bread description, ingredients and allergens, especially if seeds or visible grains are a concern.
Frequently asked questions
Is bakers’ salt compulsory in bread?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using bakers’ salt when baking bread in the Netherlands is not compulsory. Check the ingredients list if its presence matters to your household.
Which bread should you try first for a fussy child?
A finer-textured wholemeal option could be worth trying if your child rejects coarse textures, but there’s no guarantee they’ll accept it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread for children aged 4 to 12. Also consider the texture your child is actually willing to eat.
How can you cut down on waste if little bread is eaten?
Choose a half loaf if that better suits how much you use, or check whether you can freeze a whole loaf. For Boeren volkoren heel, PLUS recommends freezing it on the day of purchase and using it within one month. For other loaves, follow the instructions on their packaging.
Should you keep checking allergens in a familiar supermarket loaf?
Yes. Check the latest allergen information on the packaging every time you buy it. Ingredients and warnings can change, even if the bread keeps the same name.