For an economical working-from-home lunch, choose bread you’ll actually use up. A wholemeal loaf may suit you if you eat bread regularly or can store it according to the product instructions. If you eat less bread, size matters even more. Compare similar loaves by weight, and check the ingredients and storage instructions for the exact product.
Who is this guide for?
People who often have bread for lunch at home
If you eat bread on several working days each week, choose a size that suits how much you get through. For a meaningful comparison, compare whole loaves with whole loaves, or half loaves with half loaves.
People who choose wholemeal as the basis of their lunch
If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread, check the product description for the loaf itself. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists fibre, vitamins and minerals as characteristics of wholemeal bread.
Small households looking to use up their bread
If you won’t get through a whole loaf quickly, a smaller size or product-specific freezing instructions may matter more than the quantity in a single pack.
What should you look for when choosing?
Work out how much bread you eat on days when you work from home. Then consider which type, size and storage options best suit your needs.
| What to consider |
What to check |
Who it matters to |
| Everyday budget choice |
Compare whole loaves with whole loaves, or half loaves with half loaves; check the weight too. |
If bread is my regular working-from-home lunch, I want to choose an amount I can use up regularly. For around 36% of consumers, this everyday budget choice comes first. |
| Wholemeal as a staple |
Read the product description and nutritional information for the exact loaf; assess any fibre claim for each product individually. |
If I eat bread often, I want to know whether my usual lunch loaf is actually wholemeal. Around 29% of consumers give this choice top priority. |
| A quick lunch |
Check whether the bread is sliced, what size it is and how it is sold. |
For a short lunch break, I want bread that’s ready to eat without much preparation. For around 21% of consumers, convenience at lunchtime matters most. |
| Storage and using it up |
Choose a size that suits how much you eat, and read the storage instructions for the bread you’ve chosen. |
If I won’t eat a whole loaf quickly, I want to be able to divide it up or store it appropriately. That’s the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Comparing loaves of different sizes as if they were the same
A half loaf and a whole loaf won’t provide the same number of lunch portions. Even loaves both sold as whole loaves can differ in weight.
Compare the same type and size of loaf, and check the weight on the pack.
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Choosing a whole loaf without a storage plan
A large pack may not be the best fit if you only eat bread occasionally at home and won’t use it all up.
Choose a suitable size or follow the freezing instructions for that specific product. PLUS says to freeze PLUS Volkoren tijger heel on the day of purchase and use it within one month. Don’t assume the same instructions apply to other bread without checking.
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Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So whether it is present varies from loaf to loaf.
If baker’s salt matters to you, read the ingredients or ask the baker about unwrapped bread.
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Relying on the label of a different loaf
Ingredients and allergens apply to a specific product and can vary between versions.
If you have a food allergy, always check the current packaging of the bread you choose.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers several wholemeal breads, including AH Extra lang lekker volkoren heel, as well as loaves baked on the hearth and round loaves.
- There are several types of loaf to compare.
- Check whether your chosen loaf is available through your local shop; some products are listed as in-store only.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells own-brand wholemeal breads, including Fijn Volkoren and a range of different loaf shapes.
- The range includes both whole and half loaves.
- When comparing, check the size and weight of the exact version.
Lidl
Lidl lists products including sliced Knip volkoren, weighing 800 g.
- The weight and sliced format are specified for Knip volkoren.
- This product is listed as available in-store only; check availability before your visit.
ALDI
ALDI lists Fijn volkoren heel alongside other wholemeal options, including one described as extra high in fibre.
- The different options let you choose based on the product description.
- Check the fibre claim on the exact loaf rather than assuming it applies based on the shop’s name.
PLUS
PLUS provides the ingredients, nutritional information and storage instructions for Volkoren tijger heel.
- For this specific loaf, the instructions say to freeze it on the day of purchase and use it within one month.
- Don’t apply these storage instructions to another PLUS version without checking.
Dirk
Dirk sells wholemeal breads from Bakker van der Akker, including Boeren volkoren heel.
- The product name makes it easy to identify the wholemeal loaf.
- Check the details for the exact loaf instead of relying on information for a similar version.
Bread products on Joybuy
These products offer a range of options for a working-from-home lunch: flatbread, rye bread, wholemeal bread to bake at home and multigrain rolls. Check the size and preparation or storage instructions for each product; multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat 6 P
The six flatbreads make handy individual portions for lunch. Check the storage instructions if you won’t use them all at once.
View on Joybuy
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Bolletje Rye Bread Bun 500 g
A rye bread product for anyone looking for a different type of bread at lunchtime. The pack states 500 g; check the product description if wholemeal is a must for you.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g × 2
The pack contains two 550 g loaves, which may suit you if you want to spread your bread over several lunches. Allow time to defrost and bake before eating, and follow the instructions on the pack.
View on Joybuy
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g
This 550 g loaf may suit anyone looking to store a single loaf for a later lunch. Defrost and bake it before eating; check the preparation time on the pack.
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g'woon Multigrain Rolls 4 pcs
Four individual multigrain rolls make it easy to choose a portion for each lunch. If you specifically want wholemeal bread, check the product description: multigrain doesn’t confirm that it is wholemeal.
View on Joybuy
Frequently asked questions
Does all bread in the Netherlands contain iodine-enriched baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Read the ingredients on packaged bread, or ask the baker which salt they’ve used for unwrapped bread.
Why choose wholemeal bread for my working-from-home lunch?
Wholemeal bread is an option if you want to make a conscious choice to have a wholemeal product as your regular lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists fibre, vitamins and minerals as characteristics of wholemeal bread; you should also consider what size you’ll actually use up.
Can I freeze a whole loaf for future lunches?
You can if the instructions for the loaf you’ve chosen allow it. PLUS says to freeze PLUS Volkoren tijger heel on the day of purchase and use it within one month. For other loaves, check their own packaging rather than assuming the same instructions apply.