Start by thinking about how much bread your guests are likely to eat, then choose the type: go for half a wholemeal or brown loaf if you’d also like to save some slices for later, or a milder option if the bread is mainly for serving with toppings and dips. A half loaf is smaller than a whole one, but it will only help prevent leftovers if the amount suits your plans. If you’re catering for guests, always check the latest ingredients and allergen information.
If bread is just a side dish at your barbecue, a half loaf may be a better fit for the amount you’ve planned than a whole loaf. Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl, PLUS, Dirk and ALDI list half-loaf options; check which one is available when you want to buy it.
If you’d like to use any leftover slices for everyday sandwiches, compare wholemeal, brown and white bread by their ingredients and nutritional values per 100 g, rather than just their colour. Voedingscentrum highlights the differences in nutrients between these types of bread.
If you’re buying for guests who need to avoid certain allergens, check the information for the exact loaf before choosing an option. For packaged bread, read the label; for unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information.
First decide how many slices you need and what role the bread will play alongside your barbecue dishes. Then compare the bread types and check the information that matters to your guests for the option you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Check that it’s a half loaf and look at the weight or number of slices. | If I’m expecting only a little bread to be eaten at the barbecue, I don’t want to be left with a large amount. Around 31% of consumers prioritise a suitable quantity. |
| Type of bread and fibre | Check whether the bread is wholemeal, brown or white, and compare the fibre per 100 g on the label. | If I want to use any leftover slices for everyday sandwiches too, the type of bread matters to me. For around 31% of consumers, this is the most important consideration. |
| Flavour and texture | Choose the type of bread you prefer and check the ingredients of options containing seeds or grains. | For my menu, I’m looking for either a mild base for toppings and dips or bread with a more distinctive flavour. Around 23% of consumers prioritise how well it goes with their meal. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the latest label or ask about allergens for unpackaged bread; if you wish, also look for baker’s salt or iodised salt. | If I’m buying for guests with allergies, I need to know what’s in this particular option and what warnings apply. Around 15% of consumers give this information top priority. |
The colour of a loaf doesn’t tell you whether it’s wholemeal. For example, PLUS lists both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour in the ingredients for Boeren bruin half.
If the type of bread matters to you, check the name, ingredients and nutritional values per 100 g.
According to Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t assume every loaf contains iodised salt.
Look for baker’s salt or iodised salt in the ingredients list, or ask about it when buying unpackaged bread.
Ingredients and warnings can vary between different types of bread. Even if a loaf goes well with your menu, that doesn’t mean it’s suitable for every guest.
For pre-packed bread, read the latest label. For unpackaged bread, ask about the allergen information that’s relevant to your guests before buying.
Product ranges and ingredients can change. For example, Lidl says that its Halfje extra volkorenbrood is only available in store.
Check the option you’ve chosen and the current packaging when you buy the bread. Check with your shop to find out how it’s sold there.
These examples can help you narrow down your search for a half loaf. Always check the latest product information for the option you choose.
Albert Heijn lists options including AH Rond volkoren half.
Jumbo’s bread range includes Fijn Volkoren - Half and Waldkorn - Volkoren Brood - Half.
Lidl lists Halfje extra volkorenbrood as an in-store product.
ALDI lists Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood half, described as a dark loaf with seeds and grains.
PLUS lists options including Boeren bruin half and Beiers Landbrood wit half.
Dirk lists half loaves from Bakker van der Akker, including boeren volkoren, meergranen and multikorn.
No, it depends on how many of your guests eat bread and what you’d like to do with any leftover slices after the barbecue. A half loaf may be a good fit if you’re expecting to need only a little bread. The half loaves from Albert Heijn and PLUS included in the research also have information about freezing on the day of purchase.
Choose based on how you’ll use the bread: go for wholemeal or brown if you also want to consider the type of bread and its nutritional value for sandwiches later, or white if you’re looking for a mild base for toppings. According to Voedingscentrum, these types of bread differ in their nutrients. For brown bread, check the ingredients rather than relying on its colour alone.
No. According to Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check each loaf’s ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt, and ask about it when buying unpackaged bread if it matters to your choice.
For pre-packed bread, read the label on the option you’ve chosen. For unpackaged bread, ask about allergen information before buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that this information must appear on the label of pre-packed products and must be made available in another way for unpackaged products.
