Choose a whole loaf if you want to cut thicker slices for generous toppings. Pre-sliced bread is handy for evenly sized portions, as long as you can check the slice thickness first. Small rolls work well for individual Easter bites, but they’re no substitute for large, thickly cut slices of bread. Whichever you choose, check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions for that specific bread.
If you’re topping bread with egg, fish or spreads, choose a serving style that suits the toppings. A whole loaf lets you choose the slice thickness yourself; with pre-sliced bread, you’ll need to check the actual slices.
If you want to use wholemeal bread as a base, the product description and nutritional information matter more than the shape alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as a type of bread that contains fibre. Compare products on a like-for-like basis.
If you buy bread before your Easter brunch, you can freeze it in portions and defrost only what you need. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months.
First decide whether you want to serve large topped slices or individual portions. Then consider the slice thickness you want, the label and when you’ll need the bread.
Choose this when: you want to cut thicker slices yourself for generous toppings.
Bear in mind: cutting it yourself takes preparation and won’t necessarily give you evenly sized portions.
Choose this when: evenly sized slices and quick preparation are your priorities.
Bear in mind: the word ‘sliced’ doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are.
Choose this when: you want to serve individual Easter bites rather than topped slices.
Bear in mind: rolls aren’t a substitute for large slices. If you choose bake-at-home rolls, you’ll need to plan for baking too.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness and loaf shape | Check whether the bread is whole or pre-sliced. If it’s pre-sliced, check the actual slice thickness or ask whether it can be sliced to order. | I want to be able to cut slices that suit my toppings. An estimated 42% of consumers prioritise having control over the shape and thickness of their bread. |
| Wholemeal bread and the label | Read the product description, ingredients and allergen information. If nutritional value matters to you, compare fibre and salt per 100 g. | When planning brunch, I mainly want to know which bread I’ll serve as my wholemeal option. An estimated 33% of consumers give this choice top priority. |
| Storage and planning | Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. | If I shop early, I want to be able to store the bread without defrosting more than I need. Storing Easter provisions comes first for an estimated 25% of consumers. |
A description such as ‘whole, sliced’ tells you that the loaf has already been cut into slices, not how thick they are. The result may not be quite right for the way you planned to serve generous toppings.
Choose a whole loaf if you want to control the thickness yourself. If you’d prefer pre-sliced bread, check the slices or ask in store about the slicing options.
Ingredients and nutritional values can vary even between wholemeal products. The figures for one loaf won’t necessarily apply to another.
Read the current label and compare fibre and salt per 100 g. Also check the ingredients and allergen information for the product you’re buying.
Once opened, bread needs to keep well for the time between shopping and serving. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months.
If you’re shopping ahead, freeze the bread in portions on the day you buy it and defrost only what you need.
These brands offer different types of bread to compare. Check the slice, label and storage instructions for the specific product you choose.
A range of whole and sliced loaves, including wholemeal and sourdough options.
A bread and bakery range that includes loaves, bake-at-home bread and individual rolls.
A range that includes whole and half wholemeal loaves, hearth-baked bread and sourdough.
A bread range that includes wholemeal loaves, hearth-baked bread, sourdough options and small rolls.
If you want to choose the slice thickness yourself, consider the whole round loaf. The baguettes and rolls are options for individual portions; if you’re adding generous toppings, check whether their shape suits the bite you want to make.
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A whole round loaf for anyone who wants to cut their own slices for Easter bites after preparing it.
This product needs to be defrosted, baked and cooled before slicing. Choose your own slice thickness and check the latest label for ingredients and allergens.
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Four individual baguettes for anyone who’d rather serve portions than slices from one large loaf.
The baguettes need to be defrosted and baked. Check whether their shape will work with the toppings you have in mind, and read the latest label for ingredients and allergens.
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Four rolls for individual Easter bites instead of large, thickly cut slices of bread.
Check whether the rolls are the right size for the amount of topping you have in mind. Before buying, check the latest label for ingredients and allergens.
You can’t assume that this is the case for every loaf. In its specific intervention policy, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) states that iodine compounds may be present in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products only through baker’s salt, with a maximum of 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. This doesn’t mean that every loaf contains baker’s salt with iodine, so check the ingredients list for the product you choose.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. If you’re shopping ahead, freeze the bread in portions. For an unopened pack, follow the storage instructions and use-by date on the label.
Read the allergen information on the label of the specific bread you’re buying. Don’t rely on information for another loaf, even one from the same brand, instead of checking the current product label.
