A group with different bread preferences
If some guests prefer white bread and others prefer wholemeal, you can serve two clearly different types. That way, brown bread doesn’t have to be a compromise for everyone.
Who is this choice relevant to?
A host who pays attention to ingredients
Want to serve bread made exclusively from wholemeal flour? Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
An organiser mindful of allergens
If you’re hosting guests with an allergy or intolerance, check the information for the exact type of bread. For loose rolls, you can ask the seller for allergen information before you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains what information sellers must provide about non-prepacked foods.
What should you look for when choosing?
For Christmas dinner, first distinguish between wholemeal, brown and white bread. Then decide whether one type will do, or whether you’d prefer to serve two types for guests with different preferences.
Wholemeal bread
Choose this if: you’re looking for bread made from 100% wholemeal flour. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, that’s what the ‘wholemeal’ label means.
Bear in mind: guests who prefer white bread may want a second option.
Brown bread
Choose this if: you specifically want bread made from a mixture of wholemeal flour and flour.
Bear in mind: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, brown bread isn’t the same as bread made from 100% wholemeal flour.
White bread
Choose this if: guests specifically prefer white bread, for example alongside a wholemeal option.
Bear in mind: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, white bread is made from flour, so it doesn’t replace the wholemeal option.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label if you want bread made from 100% wholemeal flour. When comparing similar breads, check the fibre and salt per 100 g. | I want to know whether the bread is genuinely wholemeal, not just brown in colour. For around 42% of consumers, the ingredients come first. |
| Guests’ preferences | Check whether the type of bread you’ve chosen suits your guests’ preferences; consider serving white bread alongside a clearly different type. | If not everyone likes the same bread, I want to offer a clear alternative. Around 33% of consumers say this choice for their guests comes first. |
| Serving and storage | Check what’s currently available and choose a suitable type and quantity of bread. If you’re buying loose rolls, ask about allergens if necessary. | I want to serve bread without ending up with too many leftovers. For around 25% of consumers, this practical consideration comes first. |
Common buying mistakes
-
Assuming brown bread is wholemeal bread
The colour doesn’t tell you whether the bread is made entirely from wholemeal flour. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, brown bread contains both wholemeal flour and flour.
Look for ‘wholemeal’ if you need bread made from 100% wholemeal flour. To compare nutritional values, check the fibre and salt per 100 g in similar products.
-
Choosing a festive loaf based on looks alone
The name or shape of a loaf doesn’t tell guests with an allergy which allergens it contains. This information also matters for non-prepacked rolls.
For packaged bread, read the information on the packaging. If you’re buying loose rolls, ask about allergens in the specific type before you buy.
-
Assuming seasonal products will be in stock
A festive loaf featured on a seasonal page may not be available when you place your order. Lidl also notes that its fresh bread range can vary by store.
Check what’s available at your store or in your online shopping account shortly before Christmas dinner. Have a back-up in mind in case your first choice isn’t available.
-
Buying two types of bread without a plan for leftovers
Serving white bread alongside brown or wholemeal gives guests a choice, but it can also leave you with bread after dinner.
Choose a quantity to suit your guests and the other courses. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions soon after buying it if you plan to keep it.
Supermarkets to explore
These supermarkets feature different bread categories. Compare the exact products for your Christmas dinner and check what’s available when you’re ready to buy.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has an online bread category and a separate page for Christmas breakfast and brunch.
- The bread category is a useful starting point for comparing everyday types of bread.
- Festive loaves shown on the Christmas page were marked ‘No longer available’. Check the product page before basing your choice on one of them.
Jumbo
Jumbo features online categories for bread, bake-at-home bread and rolls, among other things.
- These categories let you explore different types of bread to serve at the table.
- Check which specific types are available when you place your order.
Lidl
Lidl describes an oven-fresh range that includes wholemeal and multigrain bread.
- The different types of bread offer options for guests with a range of preferences.
- According to Lidl, its fresh range can vary by store, so check the type you’ve chosen in store.
ALDI
ALDI’s bread range includes white, wholemeal and multigrain options.
- You can look for more than one type of flour if you want to serve a selection.
- Check the ingredients and availability of the specific loaf you choose.
PLUS
PLUS features online wholemeal, white, brown and multigrain options, among others.
- The range includes several categories you can compare side by side.
- Before ordering, check which products are available at your address.
Dirk
Dirk features bread categories for white, wholemeal and multigrain bread, as well as rolls.
- Rolls are another option if you’d like to serve a selection.
- Check the ingredients for the specific product rather than relying on the category name alone.
Bread options on Joybuy
These products offer white rolls and a round loaf as separate options for Christmas dinner. If you specifically want bread made from 100% wholemeal flour, check the label and ingredients on the current packaging of the round loaf. The product name alone isn’t enough to confirm this.
No image available
g'woon White Rolls, 4 pieces, 300 g
White rolls for guests who prefer white bread, served on their own or alongside another type. The pack contains 4 pieces and weighs 300 g.
If you have allergies, check the information on the current packaging for this product.
No image available
Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
A round loaf to serve as an alternative to white rolls. The listed weight is 550 g.
If bread made from 100% wholemeal flour is essential to you, check the exact product description and ingredients on the packaging. Follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is brown bread the same as wholemeal bread?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, while brown bread is made from a mixture of wholemeal flour and flour. So if that’s what you need, look for the ‘wholemeal’ label.
How do I compare types of bread with different serving sizes?
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g rather than looking only at the information per serving. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using this basis for comparisons. For similar breads, for example, check the fibre and salt, and read the ingredients list too.
Where can I find allergen information for loose rolls?
Ask the seller before you buy, or check the product information available. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, sellers must provide information about the specified allergens in non-prepacked foods, including the specific cereals containing gluten or nuts if they are present.
What should I do with bread left over after Christmas dinner?
If you won’t use the bread soon, it’s best to freeze it in portions shortly after buying it. For opened wholemeal bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping it for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard or 1 to 3 months in the freezer. Check the storage advice for other products.