If you want to choose the thickness of your slices for generous toppings, go for a whole or unsliced loaf and cut it before you pack your lunch. Pre-sliced bread saves time, but a label such as ‘coarse’ doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. If you prefer wholemeal bread or have questions about allergens or baker’s salt, check the label on the bread you buy.
If you’re making lunch with toppings such as hummus, cheese, egg or vegetables, a whole or unsliced loaf lets you tailor the slices to your toppings and lunchbox. You’ll need to make time to slice the bread yourself, though.
You can top and pack pre-sliced bread straight away. Check the slices if thickness matters: ‘coarse’ in a product name isn’t a measurement of slice thickness.
If wholemeal, fibre, ingredients or allergens matter to you, compare the information for the exact loaves you’re considering. The label can also help you check whether baker’s salt has been used.
First decide whether you want to choose the slice thickness yourself or have lunch without needing to cut the bread. Then compare the type of bread and any label information that matters to you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting thick slices yourself | Look for ‘whole’ or ‘unsliced’, and consider whether the sliced, topped sandwiches will fit in your lunchbox. | For generous toppings, I want to choose the slice thickness myself, even if that means cutting the bread in advance. Around 42% of consumers would say this is their main priority. |
| Type of bread and fibre | Check whether the bread is labelled wholemeal and compare the stated fibre per 100 g on a like-for-like basis. | For my regular lunch, choosing wholemeal and checking the nutritional information matter more than slice thickness. This would be the first consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Convenience and labelling | Check whether the bread is sliced; read the ingredients, allergens and any mention of baker’s salt on the current packaging. | When I want to grab something quickly, I also want to check that the bread meets my requirements for labelling. Around 25% of consumers would put this combination first. |
A coarse-textured bread doesn’t have to come in thick slices. Even when ‘coarse’ appears in the name, it doesn’t tell you whether two generously topped slices will suit your lunch.
Choose a whole or unsliced loaf if you want to decide the thickness yourself. If you prefer pre-sliced bread, check the slices before you buy.
The type of bread doesn’t tell you which allergens are listed on the packaging of a particular variety. Ingredients and warnings about possible cross-contamination can vary between loaves.
If you have a relevant allergy, always read the current label on the bread you’re buying; don’t use the information for another loaf as a substitute.
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So the name of the bread alone doesn’t tell you whether iodine has been added via baker’s salt.
Check the ingredients list or ask the baker which salt was used in the bread.
Slicing the bread yourself is handy when you want a particular thickness, but you may have some left over if you’re only making a few lunches.
Slice what you need, and follow the product’s storage instructions if you want to freeze the rest.
The range includes both sliced and unsliced bread, including varieties from AH Liefde & Passie.
The wholemeal range includes varieties such as Grof Volkoren, Rond Grof Volkoren and Stevig Volkoren Zonnepit.
Lidl describes Knip volkoren as an 800 g sliced loaf.
Aldi lists a whole extra-high-fibre wholemeal loaf as an option for anyone who wants to cut their own slices.
PLUS Grof volkoren heel is an option you can slice yourself.
Dirk offers, among other options, a wholemeal floor loaf as a whole loaf.
These round loaves are a good fit for lunches where you want to cut the slices yourself at home. They need to be defrosted, baked and cooled before slicing, which is an important difference from pre-sliced bread if you want lunch without any preparation.
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For anyone who wants to choose the slice thickness for a topped lunch at home. This frozen wholemeal bread needs to be defrosted, baked and cooled first.
Check the packaging if allergens or the use of baker’s salt are relevant to your choice.
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For anyone who wants to cut their own slices and is looking for wholemeal bread. Allow time to defrost, bake and cool this frozen loaf before lunch.
Check the current packaging if allergens or baker’s salt are important to you.
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For anyone who wants to cut their own slices and is looking for multigrain bread. This frozen loaf needs to be defrosted, baked and cooled in advance.
‘Multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘wholemeal’. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
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For anyone who wants to choose the slice thickness of a multigrain loaf at home. Defrost, bake and cool this frozen loaf before slicing.
Check the baking time on the packaging, along with the ingredients and allergens; the description ‘multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that the bread is wholemeal.
With a whole or unsliced loaf, you can choose the slice thickness yourself. Cut it before you head to the university canteen, and check that the topped sandwiches will fit in your lunchbox. If you buy pre-sliced bread, don’t rely on the word ‘coarse’ alone.
No. ‘Wholemeal’ describes the type of bread, not the thickness of the slices. Choose a whole or unsliced wholemeal loaf if you want both, or check the slices of a pre-sliced variety.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the label or ask the baker which salt was used in the bread.
Read the allergen information and any cross-contamination warnings on the current packaging of the exact loaf you’re buying. Don’t rely on the ingredients for another loaf, even if the product names look similar.
Yes, as long as you follow the storage instructions for that particular loaf. For PLUS Grof volkoren heel, PLUS recommends freezing it at home on the day of purchase and using it within one month. Check the packaging for other loaves.
