Who is this choice for?

Parents of fussy snackers

Looking for a finer-textured bread for little snacks, but don’t want to judge the type of bread by colour or taste alone. Fine wholemeal is one option to try; brown bread is another, with a different composition.

Families who prioritise fibre

Want to know whether their chosen bread is wholemeal and compare the fibre content per 100 g of specific products. Ingredients and salt content may also influence that comparison.

Families who plan snacks ahead

Spread bread across several snack times, so they check the portion size and storage instructions on the packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the type of bread shown on the label. Then consider whether the texture suits the person eating it and whether the pack works for your planned snack times.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
How to identify wholemeal Read the bread description and ingredients list. If comparing different loaves, check the fibre content per 100 g, too. I want to know whether a light-looking bread is still genuinely wholemeal for snacks. For an estimated 42% of consumers, this certainty comes first.
Texture and whether it’s accepted Check whether the bread is described as fine wholemeal and whether the format you choose is suitable for the portions you want. If a fussy eater leaves coarse bread untouched, I want to be able to try a finer-textured option. For around 33% of consumers, whether the person eating it likes it matters most.
Storage and portioning Check the storage instructions and choose a whole, half or sliced loaf that suits the portions you have planned. For snack times spread throughout the holiday, I want to take out only what we need. Around 25% of consumers prioritise planning portions.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark bread or ‘best of both’ means wholemeal

    The colour or product name doesn’t tell you whether bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, brown bread is a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour.

    Check the bread description on the packaging before judging it by its colour, seeds or flavour name.

  • Choosing a coarse texture without considering who’ll be eating it

    If the texture is a sticking point, the bread may go uneaten, even if it’s the type you prefer.

    If you like, try fine wholemeal. If that doesn’t appeal either, consider brown bread as a separate stepping-stone option, not as wholemeal bread.

  • Using information from a similar loaf

    Ingredients, allergens and nutritional values relate to a specific product. For example, PLUS lists wheat, barley and soya for its Boeren volkoren heel loaf; that tells you nothing about other wholemeal bread.

    Read the current packaging for the bread you’re buying, especially if an ingredient or allergen is important to your choice.

  • Assuming all bread contains the same baker’s salt

    The type of salt used can vary from product to product. The description ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t tell you which salt has been used.

    If iodised salt is important to your choice, check the ingredients list or ask the baker which type of salt was used.

Brands to explore

Albert Heijn

Its online wholemeal bread category features a range of loaf shapes and varieties.

  • Offers options to explore different loaf shapes in the wholemeal category.
  • Check the details for the variety you choose and whether it’s available for your order or at your local shop.

Jumbo

Its online wholemeal bread range includes Fijn Volkoren.

  • Offers a specific fine wholemeal loaf to compare with other types of bread.
  • Compare your expectations for taste, ingredients and nutritional information for each individual product.

Lidl

Lists a product called Fijn volkoren, weighing 800 g.

  • The product name makes the fine wholemeal option easy to identify.
  • Lidl says this product is only available in store; check the packaging there for product details.

ALDI

Lists Fijn volkoren Heel as sliced bread, as well as a separate wholemeal variety that highlights its fibre content.

  • The sliced fine wholemeal variety could work well if you want to make smaller snack portions.
  • Check any fibre claim against the nutritional information for the exact variety; don’t assume it applies to all ALDI bread.

PLUS

The product page for PLUS Boeren volkoren heel lists ingredients, allergens, nutritional values and storage instructions.

  • PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g for this loaf, so you can compare those values with another specific bread.
  • This information applies to this variety; check the current packaging when you buy it.

Dirk

Its range includes wholemeal, brown and white bread from Bakker van der Akker.

  • The product names make the different types of bread easy to identify.
  • Don’t use a bread’s name as a substitute for checking that product’s ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is fine wholemeal bread really wholemeal?

Yes, as long as the bread is labelled wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; ‘fine’ doesn’t change the type of bread. Check the description on the packaging of the variety you choose.

Is brown bread the same as wholemeal bread?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, brown bread is a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour. It can be a stepping stone if a fussy eater leaves wholemeal bread untouched, but choose bread labelled ‘wholemeal’ if you specifically want bread made from 100% wholemeal flour.

Can I freeze bread for the autumn holidays?

That depends on the instructions for the bread you choose. PLUS says its Boeren volkoren heel loaf can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. For other bread, follow the instructions on its own packaging.

How do I check allergens in wholemeal bread?

Read the allergen information on the current packaging for the specific loaf. PLUS lists wheat, barley and soya for its Boeren volkoren heel loaf; don’t assume the same list applies to another variety.