Fussy eaters switching to wholemeal
If coarsely textured bread is less popular at home, finely textured wholemeal is a good type to try first. This lets you take the texture into account without immediately limiting your choice to white bread.
Who might find this choice useful?
Households looking to reduce bread waste
If you buy bread for breakfast and lunch, it helps to choose a pack size that suits how much you use. Compare whole and half loaves, and check whether unused portions can be frozen according to the storage instructions.
Label readers who care about ingredients
If you want to know whether a loaf is wholemeal, which allergens it contains or whether baker’s salt has been used, check the label on that specific loaf. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory.
What should you look for when choosing?
Finely textured wholemeal bread
A good choice when: you want to try wholemeal bread but prefer a fine rather than coarse texture.
Consider: a fine crumb doesn’t guarantee that fussy eaters will accept the bread; start with an amount that suits your household.
Brown or multigrain bread
A good choice when: your household wants to try a different bread before switching to wholemeal.
Consider: colour and multiple types of grain don’t, by themselves, mean a bread is wholemeal; check the description and ingredients.
White bread
A good choice when: familiar taste or texture is what determines which bread gets eaten.
Consider: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, white bread contains fewer nutrients than wholemeal bread.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Taste and texture | Check whether the bread is described as finely textured wholemeal, and try an amount your household will use up. | If coarse bread gets left uneaten, I want to try a finer wholemeal option that people at home will eat. For around 42% of consumers, acceptance comes first. |
| Quantity and waste | Compare whole and half packs with how much you use; follow the storage instructions if you want to freeze your bread. | In a small household, I don’t want to throw bread away because the pack is too large. Reducing waste is the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Label and ingredients | Check the wholemeal description, allergen information and whether baker’s salt is listed for the bread you choose. | If ingredients are the deciding factor for me, I don’t want to rely on the bread’s colour or name. For around 25% of consumers, checking the label is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking brown or multigrain bread for wholemeal
A dark colour or the presence of several grains doesn’t prove that the bread is made entirely from wholemeal flour. You could end up taking home a different type of bread from the one you intended to buy.
Look for the wholemeal description, then read the ingredients list rather than judging by colour or seeds alone.
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Buying more bread than you’ll use
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread is one of the foods that is often wasted. A whole loaf isn’t right for every household’s needs.
If needed, choose a half loaf or freeze portions according to the product’s storage instructions.
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Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. You can’t tell whether it has been used from the colour or type of bread.
Check the ingredients list on packaged bread, or ask which type of salt was used for unpackaged bread.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
Worth considering if you want to compare different wholemeal breads within one range, including simpler options and other varieties.
- Albert Heijn offers whole wholemeal loaves and other wholemeal varieties.
- Check the ingredients and pack size of each individual loaf before choosing.
Jumbo
Worth considering if you want to compare finely textured wholemeal with other types of bread in the same range.
- Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g for Fijn Volkoren and includes baker’s salt in the ingredients for that product.
- That nutritional information applies to Fijn Volkoren; check the label of each other variety separately.
Lidl
A shop to consider if you’re comparing bread types and pack sizes in person.
- In store, see which white and wholemeal options suit your household’s needs.
- Base your choice on the label and packaging of the bread you actually find.
ALDI
Worth considering if you want to compare Fijn Volkoren with a separate extra-fibre wholemeal option.
- ALDI describes its wholemeal breads as made with 100% wholemeal flour.
- ALDI’s claims about the ingredients in Extra-fibre wholemeal bread apply to that variety, not every loaf in the range.
PLUS
Worth considering if you want to check the ingredients, nutritional information and storage instructions for a farmhouse wholemeal loaf.
- For Boeren volkoren heel, PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g. According to the product information, this loaf can be frozen on the day of purchase.
- Don’t apply this loaf’s nutritional values or freezing advice to other varieties without checking their labels.
Dirk
Worth considering if you want to compare white, wholemeal and multigrain bread in one range.
- Dirk lists these different types of bread in its range.
- For each loaf you choose, check the wholemeal description, ingredients and pack size; the name alone doesn’t tell you everything.
Bread options on Joybuy
These bread options offer alternatives to the finely textured everyday loaf at the heart of this guide. Check each product’s type, pack size and any preparation requirements to see if it suits your household. Don’t assume that a mention of wholemeal ingredients proves that a loaf is entirely wholemeal.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
An option if you’d rather serve Lebanese flatbread with a meal than make ordinary sandwiches.
The pack contains six pieces. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before use.
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TastyBasics Rye Bread, 9 pieces
A rye bread option if you’d like to try this type of bread; don’t assume its texture will be the same as finely textured wholemeal wheat bread.
The title lists nine pieces. Check the preparation instructions on the packaging before use.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round, 550 g
A round wheat loaf for anyone who wants to bake bread at home, provided the preparation fits into your plans.
The loaf weighs 550 g. The ingredients include both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour, so don’t assume it’s entirely wholemeal based on the title alone. Follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.
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Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g
A rye option to consider if you’d like to try a different type of bread alongside wheat bread.
The title lists 500 g. Check the product format on the packaging: the title refers to a bread roll, while the description mentions sliced rye bread.
Frequently asked questions
Is brown or multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. Brown and multigrain don’t automatically mean wholemeal. Albert Heijn explains that bread labelled wholemeal must be made from 100% wholemeal flour, so check the ingredients list of the loaf you choose too.
Which bread should I try first if coarse wholemeal isn’t popular?
Finely textured wholemeal bread is a sensible first option to try if the coarse texture is the main issue. Buy an amount you’ll use up and see whether your household eats this particular loaf; the name alone can’t guarantee that.
Is bread in the Netherlands always made with baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients list on packaged bread, or ask which type of salt was used for unpackaged bread.
How can I avoid throwing some of the bread away?
Choose a pack size that suits how much your household uses, and follow the storage instructions if you want to freeze portions. For example, PLUS says Boeren volkoren heel can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; check the storage advice for any other loaf.