Hosts catering for fussy eaters
If one guest prefers white bread and another would rather have wholemeal, serving both gives everyone a familiar option to choose from.
Who is this bread selection useful for?
Hosts who keep an eye on fibre
You may want to offer wholemeal bread without basing your entire selection on it. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread contains more fibre than white bread.
Hosts who want to serve quickly
Rolls or sliced bread make it easier to put out portions. If you choose bake-at-home bread, you’ll also need to allow time to prepare it according to the pack instructions.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide which flavours you want to offer, then choose a quantity and format that suit the way you’ll be serving the bread. The percentages below indicate which consumers consider each factor their top priority.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Taste preferences | Choose a clearly white option alongside a loaf labelled as wholemeal. If you’re serving two types, consider the possibility of leftovers too. | If my guests enjoy different flavours and textures, I don’t want to limit them to one type of bread. Around 40% of consumers put having that choice first. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare the fibre content in the nutrition information per 100 g. ‘Multigrain’ does not automatically mean wholemeal. | I want to serve a clear wholemeal option for guests who look for one, even if others choose white bread. Around 40% of consumers rank this as their top consideration. |
| Ease of serving | Check the number of pieces, whether the bread needs slicing and whether there are any baking instructions. | When guests help themselves, I want to keep preparation to a minimum. Ease of serving is the most important factor for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Mistaking brown or multigrain bread for wholemeal
A dark colour or the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t, by itself, mean that a loaf is wholemeal.
Look for the explicit ‘wholemeal’ label and read the ingredients list if you want to offer a wholemeal option.
-
Reading only the front of the pack
A product name won’t tell you how similar loaves compare on things such as fibre or salt.
Compare the nutrition information on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and check the ingredients list too. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking beyond the front of the label.
-
Relying on product information you viewed earlier
Ingredients and allergen information can change. PLUS also points this out in its online product information.
If anyone has an allergy, check the packaging of the bread you’ve actually received before serving it.
-
Choosing just one type of bread for a mixed group
Serving only white or only wholemeal gives guests with different taste preferences less choice.
Choose a suitable quantity of each and set them out separately so they’re easy to tell apart.
Supermarkets as a starting point
These supermarkets show a range of bread types in their online selection. When choosing, check the range and product information for your order or local store.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s online bread range includes white bread and tiger wholemeal bread, among other options.
- These options give you a starting point for a platter with both white and wholemeal bread.
- Check the current packaging if ingredients or allergens are important for your guests.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists own-brand loaves online in white, brown, multigrain and wholemeal varieties, including half loaves.
- A half loaf can be useful if you want smaller quantities of two different types.
- For a specific product, check whether it’s available for your order or at your local store.
Lidl
Lidl describes a specific wholemeal loaf made with extra-finely ground wholemeal flour.
- Lidl says this loaf tastes like brown bread and contains as much fibre as wholemeal bread; this description applies to this product.
- Don’t assume other loaves are wholemeal just because they have a fine texture or brown colour.
ALDI
ALDI’s bread range includes white, wholemeal and multigrain loaves.
- The white and wholemeal options listed are a good fit for a mixed bread selection.
- Choose the loaves you need; an extra high-fibre product isn’t essential for every get-together.
PLUS
PLUS has separate online categories for white and wholemeal bread.
- This makes it easier to find a loaf for each taste preference.
- PLUS says that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change, so check the current label.
Dirk
Dirk lists white, wholemeal and multigrain loaves, as well as rolls, among its online options.
- The variety of types and formats gives you options for both sandwiches and sharing.
- Check which products are available for your order or at your local store.
Bread options for drinks at Joybuy
These breads offer separate white and wholemeal options for Friday afternoon drinks. Choose from the white and wholemeal products to suit your guests, and consider the format and any preparation needed.
Image unavailable
Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
A wholemeal option to serve with dips, so guests can help themselves to pieces.
The product name specifies six pieces. If anyone has an allergy, check the packaging before serving.
Image unavailable
g'woon White Rustic Pistolet, 4 pieces
A white option for guests who would rather pick up an individual roll than a slice of bread.
The product name specifies four rolls. Check the current label if anyone has an allergy.
Image unavailable
G'woon White Rustic Baguette, 250 g
A white baguette to slice for sandwiches or share around.
The product name specifies 250 g. Allow time for slicing, and check the packaging if anyone has an allergy.
Image unavailable
Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
A round wholemeal loaf for anyone who wants to serve a whole loaf, sliced, alongside a white option.
The product name specifies 550 g. Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling before slicing, and follow the pack instructions for baking time.
Frequently asked questions
Is brown or multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No, those names don’t, by themselves, mean that the bread is wholemeal. Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and check the ingredients list. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority links the wholemeal designation to a grain ingredient made entirely from wholemeal flour.
Why serve both white and wholemeal bread?
Offering both lets guests choose according to their taste preferences. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread contains more fibre than white bread. Serving white bread too means no one has to choose the same type.
What should I check if a guest has an allergy?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of every loaf you plan to serve. Don’t rely solely on a product page you viewed earlier: PLUS says that product information may change.
Does bread always contain the same amount of iodine?
No, don’t assume that every loaf contains a set amount. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that bread may contain iodine through baker’s salt. Check the information for the specific product if its composition matters to your choice.