If one of you prefers white bread, a loaf made with both white and wholemeal flour could be a good stepping stone, provided you check the ingredients on the label. Fine wholemeal bread is a good choice if wholemeal is your priority. For bread to share at dinner, the way it’s served matters too. Choose white bread if its familiar taste is the deciding factor, but don’t assume that a dark or mixed loaf is wholemeal.
If white bread feels familiar, you could try fine wholemeal bread or a loaf made with both white and wholemeal flour. Check the ingredients list to find out what it contains, rather than relying on its colour or name.
With soup, salad or dips, a baguette, artisan loaf or bake-at-home option may be easier to serve at the table than a pack of sliced bread. Choose a size that suits two people.
If gluten or wheat is a concern, check the latest ingredients and allergen information for the product you choose. Standard white or wholemeal wheat bread is not a gluten-free alternative.
Agree on a taste you’ll both enjoy, then compare the ingredients and nutritional information. Finally, choose a type of bread that suits the meal and the amount you need.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check that it’s labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g. For a mixed loaf, check which types of flour are listed on the label. | I want a loaf with a clear wholemeal base or a transparent mix, rather than judging by its dark colour. This is the top priority for around 46% of consumers. |
| Familiar taste | Consider fine wholemeal bread or check the ingredients in a mixed loaf; don’t rely on the name alone. | If the person I’m eating with mainly enjoys white bread, I want to choose something we’ll both eat. Taste is the main concern for around 36% of consumers. |
| Shape and quantity | Choose between slices, a baguette or rolls, and make sure the pack size suits two people. Follow the storage and preparation instructions. | When sharing dinner, I want to serve bread without having too much left over. Around 18% of consumers prioritise this. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain means that different types of grain have been used; the term doesn’t mean the bread is wholemeal. Colour alone doesn’t tell you either.
Check the wholemeal label and ingredients list. If you’re comparing loaves, look at the fibre per 100 g.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. If you have a food allergy or need to choose gluten-free bread, the information on the loaf you actually serve is what matters.
Check the current packaging just before serving, and look for information about possible cross-contamination too.
A whole loaf may be more than you need for dinner for two. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread as a food that is often wasted.
Consider a half loaf, smaller rolls or a suitably sized baguette, and follow the storage instructions for any leftovers.
Albert Heijn lists a range of bread types online, including wholemeal and sourdough.
Jumbo’s range includes fine wholemeal bread, wholemeal multigrain bread and white bread.
Lidl lists fresh and bake-at-home bread, including rolls and white bread rolls.
ALDI lists white bread and several wholemeal varieties in its fresh daily bread range.
PLUS lists products including Round Fine Wholemeal and a wholemeal wheat sourdough baguette.
Dirk lists white bread, wholemeal bread, multigrain bread and baguettes, including half and whole loaves.
A round loaf is handy for sharing at the dinner table. If you’re looking for a mix of white and wholemeal flour, check the packaging to make sure it suits your preferences.
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This round loaf is ideal for sharing at dinner. If you’re looking for a mix of white and wholemeal flour, check the ingredients and their proportions on the packaging. Only compare nutritional values on the same basis. Follow the defrosting and baking instructions, and check the latest allergen information if you have an allergy.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain means that different types of grain have been used; it doesn’t mean the bread is made entirely with whole grains. Check the wholemeal label and ingredients list instead of judging by colour.
Check which types of flour are listed in the ingredients and compare the nutritional information per 100 g with other loaves. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the ingredient used in the greatest quantity is listed first; the order alone doesn’t tell you the exact proportions.
No, standard wheat bread isn’t gluten-free. If you need gluten-free bread, check that it’s explicitly labelled gluten-free and read the latest allergen information, including details of possible cross-contamination.
Choose a size that suits the number of people and the rest of the meal, such as a half loaf or smaller rolls. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for any bread left over.
