When choosing bread for a sandwich, start with a type and loaf size that suit what you eat and how often. If wholemeal is important to you, check the wording on the packaging and compare the nutritional information. Don’t rely on ‘medium sliced’ or ‘fine’ to tell you how thick the slices are: check whether the bread is pre-sliced and whether the slice suits your filling.
If you eat the same kind of lunch regularly, you’ll want to consider the type of bread and its nutritional information. The Voedingscentrum describes wholemeal bread as a source of fibre, vitamins and minerals. Compare the values on the packaging for specific products.
You’ll want to buy an amount that matches the lunches you have planned. Jumbo, ALDI, PLUS and Dirk also offer half loaves.
You’ll want a slice that’s easy to fill and eat, for example with cheese, hummus or egg. Check the slices of the product you choose: a name such as ‘sliced’ doesn’t tell you how thick they are.
Start with the type of bread and the amount you need. Then check the slices and the product’s nutritional information. You can’t answer these questions by looking at a single label.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Type of bread and nutritional information | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ if you want wholemeal bread, then compare fibre and salt per 100 g on the packaging. | If I eat the same bread for lunch often, I want to know what type I’m buying and what its nutritional information is. This is a top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Slice and filling | Check whether the bread is pre-sliced and, if possible, see how thick the slices are. | I want a slice that’s easy to spread and eat with my usual filling. This is the main concern for around 27% of consumers. |
| Quantity and availability | Choose a half or whole loaf based on the lunches you have planned, and check what the shop currently has in stock. | If I’m buying for a few lunches, I don’t want to take home more bread than I expect to use. Around 27% of consumers prioritise choosing the right amount. |
| Ingredients and specific requirements | Read the ingredients, allergen information and nutrition table. If you want to know about iodine or baker’s salt, check whether it’s listed. | If an ingredient or nutritional value is important to me, I want to check the packaging for that particular loaf. This product-specific information is decisive for around 13% of consumers. |
‘Fine’, ‘sliced’ and ‘half’ describe different characteristics of bread. None of these words tells you on its own how thick the slices of a particular loaf are.
Check the slices in the shop or ask how the bread is cut before choosing it for a particular filling.
Multigrain tells you something about the types of grain used, but it doesn’t in itself confirm that a loaf is wholemeal.
Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ if that’s what you’re looking for, then compare the nutritional information for the products.
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So don’t assume it’s present based on the type of bread.
Check the ingredients list or ask the baker if this matters to your choice.
A whole loaf may be more than you want for a few planned lunches.
Compare half and whole loaves with the number of lunches you’re buying for.
You may have bread left over if you don’t use it in time.
These shops offer a range of bread types and sizes. Check the slices, packaging and current availability of each specific product separately.
Worth a look if you’re searching online for sliced speciality bread.
Worth a look if you want to compare fine wholemeal bread with a half-loaf version.
Worth a look if you want to choose from different types of bread in store.
Worth a look if you want to compare half and whole wholemeal varieties.
Worth a look if you want to compare a half wholemeal loaf with other types of bread.
Worth a look if you want to compare half and whole loaves for your lunch supplies.
Yes, if you want wholemeal bread and the slices work well with your filling. The Voedingscentrum describes wholemeal bread as a source of fibre, vitamins and minerals. Use the packaging to compare specific products.
No, the name ‘fijn volkoren’ doesn’t specify a medium slice thickness. Check the loaf you’ve chosen in store or ask how it’s sliced.
No, according to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list or ask the baker if you want to know about a particular loaf.
Use the online product information to compare types and sizes of bread, but check the current packaging and availability before making your choice. Albert Heijn points out that a product’s ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.
