Lunch-makers who want to share bread
A whole rustic loaf or baguettes can take centre stage at a lunch shared with others. Choose a bread shape that suits how you want to slice, top and serve it.
Which option is right for you?
Families who prioritise wholemeal
You can look for wholemeal bread or rolls for a special lunch too. Check the product description and, if you wish, compare the fibre per 100 g for packaged options.
Lunch-makers who want to serve warm bread
With bake-at-home bread, your planned lunchtime determines when you need to start. Check the preparation instructions, the number of rolls and the space in your oven beforehand.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide what matters most for this lunch: presentation, a wholemeal base, serving the bread warm, or checking the ingredients and allergens. Checking the latter is important whatever your reason for choosing a particular bread.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it's important for |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and presentation | Choose a whole loaf or individual baguettes to suit the number of people eating and the way you plan to serve them. | I want to be able to share the bread and put it on the table as part of the lunch. Around 31% of consumers prioritise flavour and presentation. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the word wholemeal and check the ingredients. Compare fibre per 100 g between similar packaged loaves. | I don't want a special lunch to be a reason to give up my preference for wholemeal. Around 23% of consumers give wholemeal their highest priority. |
| Serving it warm | Read the preparation instructions and count how many loaves or rolls will fit in the oven at once. | I want to put warm bread on the table when everyone sits down to lunch, but I need to plan the baking. Around 31% of consumers prioritise serving bread warm. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest label or ask for allergen information if the bread is sold loose; don't rely on the bread's name alone. | If someone at the table needs to watch what they eat or avoid certain allergens, I want to know which bread is suitable before I buy it. For around 15% of consumers, this check is their top priority when buying. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal
A dark colour, seeds or the word sourdough in the name don't confirm that a bread is wholemeal. As a result, it may not be what you expect when choosing wholemeal bread.
Look for the word wholemeal in the product information and check the ingredients list.
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Choosing bake-at-home bread without allowing time to prepare it
Bake-at-home bread needs to be prepared shortly before lunch. A pack with more rolls than you need can also leave you with leftovers.
Before buying, check the preparation instructions, the number of items in the pack and whether they will all fit in your oven at once.
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Assuming you know the allergens from the bread's name
Sourdough, spelt and multigrain breads can contain gluten-containing cereals or other allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for prepacked bread is shown on the label; for unpackaged bread, the information must be available in another way.
Read the latest information on the packaging or, if the bread is sold loose, ask about it before buying.
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Assuming fresh bakery bread can be delivered online
Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves, baked in store, can't be ordered online. The range of bread may also vary between stores.
Check availability at the store where you plan to shop. If a store visit doesn't fit your schedule, choose another type of bread in good time.
Brands to consider
These supermarket chains offer a range of breads to help you explore your options. Check the specific product and its availability at the store where you shop.
Albert Heijn
A place to compare bread, bake-at-home bread and speciality ranges.
- Albert Heijn lists bread and bake-at-home categories online.
- A particular premium product may no longer be available. Albert Heijn recommends checking the latest packaging, as product information can change.
Jumbo
Worth considering if you want to compare rustic sourdough with wholemeal bread and rolls.
- Jumbo describes a range of rustic sourdough breads.
- Jumbo says these sourdough loaves, baked in store, can't be ordered online.
Lidl
Worth considering if you're looking for freshly baked in-store bread or bake-at-home bread.
- Lidl says its bread is baked in its stores.
- The range can vary between branches, so check what's available at the store you plan to visit.
ALDI
Worth considering when comparing fresh in-store bread, rustic loaves and rolls to bake at home.
- ALDI offers both freshly baked bread and rolls to bake at home.
- ALDI says its Bakkersgoud Rustiek range is available in stores with an in-store bakery.
PLUS
Worth considering if you want to assess wholemeal bake-at-home rolls using the product information.
- PLUS lists the ingredients and preparation instructions for a sourdough wholemeal roll.
- This product contains gluten-containing cereals. Check the latest allergen information on the pack you choose before buying.
Dirk
Worth considering if you want to compare fresh bread with pistolets, baguettes and other bake-at-home bread.
- Dirk lists categories for both fresh bread and bake-at-home bread.
- A product category doesn't tell you whether the bread you want will be available at a particular store when you shop.
Bread for this lunch at Joybuy
These breads are suited to a lunch where you're looking for a whole round loaf or individual baguettes. The product names distinguish a wholemeal option from rustic varieties. Also check the preparation instructions and allergen information for the bread you choose.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
A whole round wholemeal loaf for a lunch where you want to slice and share the bread at the table.
Weight: 550 g. Check the latest packaging for the preparation instructions and allergen information before planning your lunch.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Natural Rustic Baguette, 4 x 135 g
Individual rustic baguettes for a lunch where you can choose the number of pieces to suit the people eating.
Four 135 g baguettes. If you want to bake them, follow the instructions on the packaging and check the latest allergen information.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 x 135 g
Multigrain baguettes for anyone who wants to put individual loaves on the table. Multigrain doesn't automatically mean wholemeal.
Four 135 g baguettes. Before baking, check the latest preparation instructions and read the allergen information on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Natural Rustic Round Bread, 550 g
A whole round rustic loaf for a shared lunch where you can slice or break it up yourself.
Weight: 550 g. Check the latest packaging for the preparation instructions and allergen information; don't assume that rustic means wholemeal.
Frequently asked questions
Is sourdough automatically wholemeal?
No. Sourdough describes how the bread is made; it doesn't tell you whether it's wholemeal. If you prefer wholemeal, look for that description and check the ingredients of the bread you choose.
Should I choose fresh bread or bake-at-home bread for this lunch?
Choose bread that's ready to serve if you don't want to bake just before lunch. Bake-at-home bread is a good option if you want to serve it warm and have the time and oven space. Follow the instructions for the specific product.
What should I do with bread left over after lunch?
Work out how much you need based on the number of people eating, and freeze any bread you won't use soon. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing wholemeal bread for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer. Follow the storage advice on the packaging too.
How can I check allergens in unpackaged rolls?
Ask for allergen information before buying if it isn't clearly displayed. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that information for unpackaged products must be available in a way other than a label on the packaging.
Does all bread in the Netherlands contain iodised salt?
No, don't assume that every loaf contains iodised salt. Check the ingredients list on packaged bread, or ask which ingredients are used for unpackaged bread if this matters to your choice.