Students buying bread for several days on campus
If you won't get through a whole loaf before it starts to lose its freshness, freezing it is an option. Half a loaf may be a better fit if you only need bread for a few lunches.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers who care about wholemeal bread and fibre
When choosing bread for lunch, you may also want to consider the type of bread and its nutritional information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists fibre, vitamins and minerals as characteristics of wholemeal bread.
Shoppers who need to check ingredients or allergens
If the composition of the bread is important to you, check the latest packaging. Online product information can change and is no substitute for checking the pack.
What should you look for in bread for lunch?
First, work out how many lunches you want the bread to cover and how you plan to store it. Then compare the type of bread and the information on the label. A larger pack is only practical if you’ll use it.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and storage | Check whether a whole or half loaf suits your lunches, and follow the storage instructions if you plan to freeze it. | If I only take bread with me on a few days, I don’t want to be left with unused slices. For around 42% of shoppers, avoiding waste is the main priority when making this lunch choice. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check how the bread is described and compare fibre content on the same basis, for example per 100 g. | If I eat it regularly for lunch, I want to know what type of bread I’m eating, not just what it looks like. Around 33% of shoppers give wholemeal bread and fibre the highest priority here. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredient and allergen information on the packaging of the specific loaf. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the label determines whether a loaf is suitable for me. This is the main concern for around 25% of shoppers when making this choice. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all bread contains the same amount of salt
If bread made with iodised baker’s salt is important to your choice, the word ‘bread’ alone doesn’t tell you enough about the ingredients in a specific product.
Read the ingredients list on the packaging, and ask the shop or manufacturer for clarification if the information isn’t clear.
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Relying only on online allergen information
Ingredients and allergen information can change, so a product page you viewed earlier may not match the packaging you buy.
Check the label on the bread itself every time you buy it, especially if you need to avoid certain ingredients.
Brands to consider
These brands give you a starting point for comparing types of bread, sizes and product information. Check the packaging of the bread you actually choose.
Albert Heijn
Worth considering if you want to look at different breads in the range.
- AH Tijger volkoren heel is a specific example of a wholemeal loaf.
- Check the packaging and size of the variety you’re taking with you.
Jumbo
Worth considering if you’re looking for a standard fine wholemeal loaf.
- Jumbo Fijn Volkoren is a recognisable type of bread to compare with other wholemeal loaves.
- Check the pack weight if the quantity matters for your lunch plans.
Lidl
Worth considering if you want to browse bread in store.
- You can check the types and sizes available in person.
- Check the information on the bread you choose at your local store.
ALDI
Worth considering if you want to compare standard and extra-high-fibre wholemeal bread.
- ALDI lists both Fijn Volkoren heel and Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood in its product information.
- Compare the nutritional information and ingredients of each product. The name alone doesn’t tell you everything that differs.
PLUS
Worth considering if you want to check the nutritional information for a specific wholemeal loaf.
- PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g for Boeren volkoren heel.
- Check the current packaging: PLUS says that product information can change.
Dirk
Worth considering if you want to compare a whole loaf with a half loaf.
- Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren heel and Boeren Extra vezels volkoren half as different sizes.
- A half loaf and a whole loaf aren’t automatically the same quantity or variety. Check which product suits how much bread you use.
Bread options on Joybuy
These products offer different types of bread for a packed lunch: flatbreads, round wholemeal loaves, rye bread and multigrain rolls. As well as the quantity, consider whether they need preparing at home and check the current packaging.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
The individual flatbreads may suit a lunch you want to take with you without baking them at home.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging when choosing.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal loaf, 2 × 550 g
Two loaves may suit several lunches if you can use that amount and have time to prepare the bread at home.
According to the product description, these loaves need to be defrosted and baked before eating. Allow time for them to cool before slicing, too.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal loaf, 550 g
If you’re planning lunches ahead, one loaf is a different quantity from the pack containing two loaves.
According to the product description, this variety also needs to be defrosted and baked before you use it for lunch.
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Bolletje rye bread roll, 500 g
This rye product may suit you if you’re looking for something other than a round wholemeal loaf for lunch.
Check the product format before buying: the title says ‘bread roll’, while the description refers to sliced rye bread.
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g'woon multigrain rolls, 4 pieces
Four individual rolls can be handy if you want to decide how much to take with you for each lunch.
Multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal. If they matter to your choice, check the type of bread, ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose a whole loaf instead of half a loaf?
A whole loaf is a good choice if you can use it for several lunches or freeze it according to the product instructions. If you only eat bread occasionally and would otherwise have a lot left over, half a loaf may be more practical.
How can I check whether bread contains iodised baker’s salt?
Read the ingredients list for the specific loaf. If the information isn’t clear enough for you to make a choice, ask the shop or manufacturer which type of salt was used in that product.
What should I check if I have an allergy or intolerance?
Read the latest ingredient and allergen information on the packaging before eating the bread. Don’t rely solely on an online product description you viewed earlier, as the ingredients may change.
Can I freeze bread for university lunches later on?
You can freeze bread if the product information says it’s suitable for freezing. Follow the storage instructions on the specific packaging and plan how much bread you’ll need for your next lunches.