The fibre-conscious barbecue host
Wants to serve bread with more fibre than white bread alongside burgers, salads or grilled dishes. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread contains more fibre than white bread.
Who is this choice relevant to?
The host catering for different guest preferences
Wants to serve both wholemeal and white bread when guests have different preferences for taste and texture.
The organised home barbecuer
Is looking for portions to suit burgers or wants to prepare bake-at-home rolls just before serving. The number of rolls and the oven space available are both worth considering.
What should you look for in barbecue bread?
First decide whether wholemeal bread is important to your guests, then choose a type of bread that suits the dishes and when you plan to serve it. Check the packaging of the product you choose, too.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and nutritional value | Look for the wholemeal label and compare fibre per 100 g and per portion on the nutritional information table. | If I want to offer bread with more fibre at my barbecue, I give nutritional value more weight than the soft texture of white bread. Around 33% of consumers prioritise fibre when making this choice. |
| Type of bread and timing | Check the shape, the number of items and any instructions for baking at home. | For burgers, I want to be able to hand out individual rolls; with bake-at-home bread, I want to know whether it can be ready in time. This practical aspect of serving is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Taste and texture | Choose a type of bread to suit your guests’ preferences; a dark colour or the term ‘multigrain’ does not prove that bread is wholemeal. | If guests prefer a soft, mild roll, I want to offer a suitable option alongside wholemeal bread. This preference is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label; if you’re buying loose rolls, ask about allergen information before you buy. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to be able to check which bread is suitable before serving it. Around 20% of consumers give this information top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal
A dark colour, seeds or a mix of grains don’t, on their own, tell you whether bread is wholemeal. This distinction matters if you’re choosing wholemeal specifically for its fibre.
Look for the wholemeal label and read the ingredients list on the bread you want to buy.
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Relying only on allergen information online
Ingredients and allergen information can change. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label; for unpackaged products, this information must also be available.
Read the label on the pack you buy and, if you’re buying loose rolls, ask about allergen information before you buy.
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Choosing bake-at-home rolls without planning when to serve them
Bake-at-home rolls need to be prepared at a time when you may also be busy looking after the rest of the barbecue.
Check the preparation instructions for the product you choose and make sure there’s oven space available just before serving.
Brands to consider
These supermarkets offer types of bread that are relevant when choosing between white and wholemeal, as well as different ways to serve it. Check the specific product before planning your barbecue.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers a range of wholemeal breads, including round loaves and hearth loaves.
- You can choose from different shapes and whole or half loaves.
- Some items are only available in store, so check whether your choice is in stock.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s bread range includes white and wholemeal options, including rolls.
- White and wholemeal options make it easy to cater for different guest preferences.
- Compare the nutritional information on the label of the bread you actually choose.
Lidl
Lidl offers, among other things, wholemeal rolls and wholemeal bake-at-home rolls.
- Bake-at-home rolls are an option if you want to prepare the bread at home just before serving.
- Check the packaging in store and make sure the product you want is available.
ALDI
ALDI lists white bread and several wholemeal varieties in its bread range.
- These varieties give you a choice of white or wholemeal bread for the table.
- Check the wholemeal label and nutritional information for each product; the type of bread alone doesn’t tell you how much fibre a portion contains.
PLUS
PLUS offers wholemeal bread and wholemeal bake-at-home rolls, including crusty rolls.
- For its wholemeal crusty rolls, PLUS provides preparation and ingredient information to help you plan.
- PLUS notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, so read the packaging.
Dirk
Dirk’s bread range includes white bread, wholemeal bread and wholemeal rolls.
- You can compare different types of bread for a bread basket or individual portions, for example.
- When you buy, check the product description and the label of the variety you choose.
Joybuy products for this choice
These products are a good match for serving wholemeal bread at a barbecue: two round wholemeal loaves to slice yourself, and a rye bread product whose shape and wholemeal labelling you should check before buying.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread, 2 × 550 g
A good option if you want to slice round wholemeal bread for several guests. The pack contains two 550 g loaves.
Allow time and oven space for defrosting and baking. To help you decide, compare the fibre per 100 g and per portion on the packaging, and check the current allergen information.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread, 550 g
A 550 g round wholemeal loaf for anyone who would rather slice a loaf than serve individual rolls.
Allow time for defrosting and baking. Check the baking time on the current packaging, and read the nutritional and allergen information there, too.
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Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g
A 500 g rye bread product to consider if you’re looking for an alternative to wheat bread.
Before buying, check whether the pack contains rolls or sliced bread: the product information doesn’t clearly specify the shape. Also check the wholemeal labelling, nutritional information and current allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Does wholemeal bread contain more fibre than white bread?
Yes. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread contains more dietary fibre than white bread. When comparing specific rolls, check the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, as portion sizes can vary.
How can I identify a wholemeal roll for a barbecue?
Check whether the roll is labelled as wholemeal and read the ingredients list. A brown colour, seeds or the word ‘multigrain’ don’t, on their own, prove that a roll is wholemeal.
Where can I find allergen information for loose rolls?
Ask in store before you buy. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must also be available for unpackaged products; for prepacked rolls, you’ll find it on the label.
Does all bread contain iodised salt?
You can’t assume that every type of bread does. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes bread as a source of iodine because bakers’ salt with added iodine is used; if this matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for the specific bread.
Can I buy bake-at-home rolls in advance for a barbecue?
Yes, as long as you can store and prepare them according to the instructions for the product you choose. Check the packaging in advance to make sure the preparation time and oven space you’ll need fit with when you want to serve the bread.