Choose a half loaf if you only use a few slices and want soft bread for sandwiches or toasties, without having to portion a whole loaf. If the type of bread you want is only available as a whole loaf, you can freeze the slices. If you’re looking for a crisp base for lunch, compare toast and crackers as alternative product types.
If you use just a few slices a week for your office lunches, a half pack helps you match the amount to the lunches you have planned. Freezing slices is another option: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread among the food groups that are often thrown away.
You want soft bread for a small lunch, but don’t want to choose the type of bread based solely on pack size. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as often as possible.
If you want toppings on toast or crackers rather than a sandwich or toastie, you’ll need a different type of product. Bolletje lists crackers and rusks among its products, while ALDI describes its toast as crisp.
First decide whether you need soft bread for sandwiches or toasties, or a crisp base for toppings. Then choose a pack size and type of bread to suit the lunches you have planned.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Size and storage | Check whether the bread is sold as a half loaf and how many slices you use. If you’re buying a whole loaf, see whether you can freeze portions. | If I only take bread in occasionally, I don’t want to be left with unused slices. For around 46% of consumers, minimising leftovers is the most important consideration. |
| Type of bread and nutritional value | Check whether the pack says wholemeal and compare fibre and salt per 100 g. | I want to choose the type of bread for my lunch carefully, even if a smaller pack is convenient. For around 27% of consumers, wholemeal bread or nutritional value comes first. |
| Form and texture | Choose between soft bread for toasties and crisp toast or crackers. Check which form suits your toppings and how you plan to prepare it. | If I want to make a toastie, I need something different from crisp toast with toppings. For around 27% of consumers, the intended use is the first thing they consider. |
Crisp toast or a cracker has a different shape and texture from soft bread for a sandwich or toastie.
Before comparing pack sizes, decide whether you want to toast your lunch or add toppings straight to a crisp base.
Half a loaf of white bread and half a loaf of wholemeal bread won’t suit the same preferences. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as often as possible.
Read the type of bread on the pack and compare nutritional information, such as fibre and salt, on the same per-100 g basis.
Ingredients, including whether salt or iodised salt is used, can vary between products and varieties.
Check the current ingredients list for the bread you choose, especially if an ingredient or allergen is important to your purchase.
A smaller pack won’t prevent leftovers if you use fewer slices than planned. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread among the food groups that are often thrown away.
Plan your lunches and freeze any slices you won’t use soon, rather than waiting until the bread is no longer usable.
Jumbo has product pages for both Tostibrood Volkoren Half and Tosti Brood Wit Half.
Albert Heijn describes its Extra lang lekker tostibrood as half a loaf of white wheat bread.
Lidl has a product page for bread for toasties weighing 375 g.
ALDI describes Sun Snacks toast as a crisp option for lunch or brunch.
Bolletje lists crackers and rusks among its products.
These products are suited to a crisp base for lunch with toppings. They’re crackers and crispbread, not half loaves of soft bread for sandwiches or toasties.
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For anyone who wants wholemeal crispbread as a crisp base for lunch. It’s not a substitute for soft bread for toasties; check the number of pieces if you want to plan your portions.
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A crisp option when you don’t need soft bread for toasties. Check the pack for nutritional values and portion information; the product name alone isn’t enough.
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For a lunch of toppings on wholemeal crackers instead of a soft sandwich. Check the pack to see how many crackers you can use for your planned lunches.
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An option if you want to take crackers with toppings and don’t need bread for a toastie. Check the ingredients list if you have an allergy, and count the crackers when planning your portions.
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For anyone looking for a crisp cracker to use as a base for toppings. Compare the nutritional information and number of pieces on the pack if these will help you choose between crackers and bread.
No, it depends on how many slices you use before the bread is no longer usable. A whole loaf can also work for a small office lunch if you freeze it in portions; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says wholemeal bread can be kept in the freezer for 1–3 months.
Not for every type of preparation, but wholemeal bread follows the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice to replace white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as often as possible. Check that the pack you choose is labelled as wholemeal, and compare nutritional values per 100 g.
Yes, if you’re looking for a crisp base for toppings, but not if you need soft bread for sandwiches or toasties. So choose the type of product you need first, then compare the pack and nutritional information of products that suit it.
Don’t assume that every variety does. If the presence of iodised salt matters to your choice, check the current ingredients list for the bread you want to buy.
