For those who want thick slices for generous toppings
You want to cut slices to size for toppings or a baked dish, and don’t mind a little extra preparation. A Jumbo recipe for a baked bread dish uses thick slices that you cut yourself.
Which option is right for you?
For families who want to serve up quickly
You want to put bread on the table without having to slice it, and are happy to have less control over the thickness of each slice when you buy pre-sliced bread.
For families who check the label
As well as the type of loaf, you check the product name, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information. This is particularly useful if you want to know whether a multigrain loaf is also wholemeal.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you need to choose the thickness of the slices for your family dinner. Then choose between slicing it yourself, serving it straight away or baking it at home. Check the type of bread separately from how it’s prepared.
Whole, unsliced loaf
When to choose it: if you want to cut thicker slices yourself for toppings or a baked dish.
Things to consider: you’ll need a bread knife and time to prepare it. Check that the loaf really is supplied unsliced.
Pre-sliced bread
When to choose it: if you want to serve slices without any cutting and don’t need a particularly thick slice.
Things to consider: the slice thickness is already set. Ask about it if it matters for your dish.
Bake-at-home bread or baguette
When to choose it: if you want to serve warm bread with your meal rather than wide slices for dinner.
Things to consider: allow time for baking and check that the shape suits what you want to serve on it.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness | Check that a whole loaf is unsliced. If the bread is pre-sliced and thickness is important, ask how thick the slices are. | If I’m adding generous toppings or serving a baked dish on bread, I want to be able to cut the slices to size. For around 31% of consumers, having that control comes first. |
| Convenience when serving | Check whether the bread is already sliced and whether the shape of the slices suits your dish. | When I need to get dinner on the table quickly, I don’t want to have to slice a whole loaf first. That’s why around 25% of consumers prioritise bread they can serve straight away. |
| Type of bread and label | Read the legal product name and ingredients; compare nutritional information on the same basis, such as per 100 g. | If wholemeal ingredients are what guide my choice, I don’t want to rely on the colour or the name ‘multigrain’ alone. For around 25% of consumers, label information is the most important factor. |
| Quantity and availability | Choose a suitable loaf size and check the range at the shop where you’re buying your groceries. | For my dinner, I want to buy enough bread without relying on a shop’s range being the same in store as it looked online. Around 19% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘whole’ means ‘unsliced’
A whole loaf may still be pre-sliced. If so, you won’t be able to cut it into the thick slices you want.
Check both the description of the loaf size and whether it’s sliced. If you’re unsure, ask whether the loaf is unsliced.
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Assuming multigrain means wholemeal
According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ refers to at least three different types of grain. On its own, the term doesn’t mean that the bread is made entirely from wholemeal flour.
Check the legal product name and ingredients list. To compare nutritional values, use the same basis for both loaves, such as per 100 g.
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Assuming all bread contains baker’s salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, baking with baker’s salt is not compulsory. So you can’t tell whether it’s used just by looking at the type of bread.
Check the ingredients list if the type of salt used matters to you.
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Planning dinner around a general online range
Just because a loaf is shown online doesn’t mean it’s available in every branch. Lidl, for example, says that its fresh bread range can vary from store to store.
Check that the bread you want is available at the shop where you plan to buy it. If necessary, decide on an alternative for your meal in advance.
Brands and ranges to consider
Albert Heijn
The online bread range includes both whole and sliced loaves.
- You can compare descriptions of loaf size and slicing side by side.
- Check the packaging or ask in store about slice thickness if it’s important for your dinner.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s online range includes whole, half and pre-sliced loaves.
- A Jumbo recipe using thick slices cut by hand shows when a whole loaf can be a practical choice for a baked dish.
- The recipe doesn’t mean that every loaf in the range is available unsliced or in thick slices.
Lidl
Lidl has a fresh-from-the-oven bread range, including different types of bread and bake-at-home options.
- The range offers an option if you want to serve warm bread with dinner.
- Lidl says its fresh bread range can vary from store to store, so check your chosen product with the relevant branch.
ALDI
The daily fresh range includes wholemeal, multigrain and hearth-baked loaves.
- A whole loaf could be a good choice if you want to cut the slices yourself.
- Check separately whether your chosen loaf is unsliced.
PLUS
PLUS shows a range of breads online, including multigrain bread.
- For a specific Korenlanders multigrain loaf, ingredients and nutritional information are available to help you assess the label.
- Don’t assume from the name ‘multigrain’ that every variety is entirely wholemeal; check the details for the loaf you choose.
Dirk
The bread range includes whole loaves, hearth-baked loaves, baguettes and bake-at-home bread.
- You can weigh up a whole loaf for slicing yourself against another type of bread to serve with your meal.
- If you need thick slices, check that your chosen whole loaf is unsliced.
Bread options on Joybuy
These options include round loaves to bake at home and baguettes to serve with a meal. If you want to cut wide, thick slices for dinner, first check whether the round loaf is supplied unsliced. Baguettes have a different shape.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 x 550 g
Two round loaves for sharing at a meal where you want to cut the slices yourself. Allow time to defrost and bake, and follow the instructions on the packaging. Before buying, check whether the loaves are supplied unsliced if extra-thick slices are important.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
A 550 g round loaf if you want to bake one loaf and slice it for dinner. Check whether it’s supplied unsliced if slice thickness is important. Refer to the packaging for preparation instructions.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 x 135 g
Four 135 g baguettes for serving freshly baked bread with dinner. Allow time to defrost and bake, following the instructions on the packaging. A baguette isn’t a substitute for a wide slice of bread, and ‘multigrain’ on its own doesn’t confirm that it’s wholemeal.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a standard slice thickness for ‘thick-sliced’ bread?
Don’t assume that the description alone means a specific thickness. Ask how thick the slices are for the loaf you’re considering, or choose a whole, unsliced loaf if you want to cut them to size yourself.
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ refers to bread made with at least three different types of grain. It doesn’t automatically mean the bread is made entirely from wholemeal flour. Check the legal product name and ingredients list for the loaf you choose.
Does all bread contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. The Voedingscentrum says that baking with baker’s salt is not compulsory. Check the ingredients list if you want to know what type of salt has been used in a particular loaf.
Can I rely on fresh bread shown online being available at my local branch?
Not without checking the local range. Lidl, for example, says its fresh bread range can vary from store to store. If you need a particular type of bread for dinner, check that it’s available at your local shop.