If you want bread that will also work for everyday meals after Easter breakfast, wholemeal is a natural choice when fibre and nutritional value are your priorities. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most brown breads are also included in the Wheel of Five. White bread may suit you if you prefer a softer, milder sandwich. Check the slice thickness, ingredients and allergens for each loaf individually: ‘medium-sliced’ tells you nothing about the type of bread.
You’re looking for medium-sliced bread to go with a range of toppings, but that’s suitable for everyday meals too. If fibre and nutritional value matter to you, start with wholemeal or brown bread. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread and most brown breads are included in the Wheel of Five.
You want to cater for guests who don’t all choose the same kind of sandwich. Alongside wholemeal or brown bread, you could consider a smaller amount of white bread for anyone who prefers a milder taste, without treating the different types as nutritionally equivalent.
You want to find a loaf at a convenient shop that’s right for the number of guests. Check the type of bread, whether it’s a full or half loaf, and the stated slice thickness. Lidl, for example, says its fresh bread range can vary by store.
For your Easter breakfast, choose the type of bread and the size you want first. Then check that your chosen loaf is actually medium-sliced.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Type of bread and nutritional value | Check whether the bread is wholemeal, brown or white, and look at the nutritional information on the packaging. Check the slice thickness separately. | If my Easter bread will also be my everyday bread, I’d prioritise the type of bread over the slice thickness. For around 37% of consumers, this nutritional choice would be the main consideration. |
| Taste and toppings | Decide which type of bread you want to serve with your planned toppings, and whether you need a full or half loaf. | When guests have different taste preferences, I don’t want to rely on just one type of bread. Taste and toppings would come first for around 27% of consumers. |
| Size and availability | Check that the half or full loaf you want is available in store and sold as medium-sliced. | If I’m only buying for brunch, I don’t want to take home a larger loaf than I need. Around 27% of consumers would weigh up size and availability first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the loaf you buy. If you’re checking for iodine or baker’s salt, look for a mention of iodised salt. | When I’m buying bread for guests with specific dietary requirements, I want to know what’s in that particular loaf. An estimated 9% of consumers would make checking the label their first priority. |
Slice thickness doesn’t tell you whether bread is wholemeal, brown or white. If you’re looking for bread to eat every day, you could overlook the type of bread.
Choose the type of bread first, then treat slice thickness as a matter of preference.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt. So don’t assume that a particular type of bread will provide iodine from baker’s salt.
Check the ingredients on the packaging for baker’s salt or iodised salt. If you’re buying unwrapped bread, ask which ingredients have been used.
Supermarket ranges include both full and half loaves. If the loaf isn’t the right size for the number of people eating, you could end up with leftovers after brunch.
Before you buy, check whether a half or full loaf is right for what you want to serve and store.
Albert Heijn says that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change. This matters if you’re buying bread for guests with specific dietary requirements.
Read the packaging of the bread you’re actually serving and keep it handy at the Easter table.
Albert Heijn’s online range includes wholemeal, sourdough and sliced breads.
Lidl’s range includes oven-fresh and other types of bread.
ALDI’s freshly baked daily range includes white, brown and wholemeal varieties.
PLUS has an online bread category featuring its own breads and Korenlanders sourdough breads.
Dirk’s range includes wholemeal, white, multigrain and sourdough breads in different sizes.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt. Check the packaging to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed among the ingredients.
No, it describes the slice thickness, not the type of bread. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread and most brown breads are included in the Wheel of Five. Check the packaging for the nutritional value of a specific loaf.
Read the packaging of the exact loaf you’re going to serve. Albert Heijn says that ingredients and allergen information can change, so don’t rely solely on a product page you looked at earlier.
Don’t assume it is without checking. Lidl says its fresh bread range can vary by store, so check with the shop you’re buying from and make sure the bread you want is medium-sliced.
