If you’re serving bread alongside soup or a starter, a half wholemeal loaf is a straightforward choice. If you want the bread to make more of an impression, consider a dark multigrain or hearth-baked loaf. Choose a more unusual variety only if it suits your guests’ needs, and check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging. A half loaf means less bread on the table, but it’s best to freeze any slices you don’t use on the day you buy it.
If you’re serving just a few slices at Christmas dinner, buying half a loaf means you’ll have less leftover bread to store. The Voedingscentrum lists bread among the foods that are often wasted. It’s best to freeze any slices you don’t use on the day you buy them.
If you’re also buying for guests who avoid certain ingredients, check the exact bread variety and its current label. A gluten-free or reduced-carbohydrate description doesn’t tell you which other allergens may be present.
Bread can play a supporting role alongside soup or a starter, while a loaf with more texture can stand out when served with toppings or a substantial starter. The half wholemeal, multigrain and hearth-baked loaves described here offer different ingredients and styles.
Work out how much bread you’ll actually serve and what role it will play in the meal. Then check any dietary requirements, and consider how you’ll buy and store the bread.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and storage | Check the pack size or number of slices, as well as the storage instructions. It’s best to freeze any portions you don’t use on the day you buy them. | If I’m serving only a few slices, I don’t want to have to finish the rest over several days. For around 36% of consumers, limiting leftovers would be their main concern. |
| Flavour and texture | Choose a simpler wholemeal loaf or a heartier multigrain or hearth-baked loaf to suit the dishes and toppings. | If the bread is a prominent part of the table, I want its texture to complement the menu. Bread style would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Ask guests what they avoid, then read the current ingredients and allergen information for the variety you choose. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know which bread I can offer them separately. For around 21% of consumers, catering for these needs would be the main concern. |
| Buying and availability | Check whether the variety you’ve chosen is in store or available through your preferred ordering method. | If I’m sorting out all my Christmas shopping at once, I want to be able to buy the bread through my usual shopping route. For around 14% of consumers, that convenience would be the deciding factor. |
You can’t tell whether bread contains baker’s salt or iodised salt from the type of bread or the name used by the shop.
If the type of salt used matters to you, check the ingredients list. The Voedingscentrum advises checking the information on the label.
Jumbo’s reduced-carbohydrate half wholemeal loaf lists wheat, barley, soya and egg, among other ingredients. AH Glutenvrij Madeleine brood half states that it may also contain other allergens.
Ask guests which ingredients they avoid, check the current label and prevent cross-contamination if you’re serving different types of bread.
A smaller pack won’t stop unused slices from going stale or eventually being thrown away.
Work out roughly how many slices you’ll serve in advance, and freeze the rest on the day you buy them if possible. Follow the bread’s storage instructions.
Ranges and ordering options vary between retailers and may change before you do your shopping.
Just before you buy, check your chosen variety, local availability and any delivery or collection options.
These brands offer examples you can use to compare bread types, packaging and ingredients. Check each variety individually before buying for your guests.
Albert Heijn lists both AH Zaans volkoren half and AH Glutenvrij Madeleine brood half.
Jumbo lists a reduced-carbohydrate half wholemeal loaf, among other products, for anyone looking specifically for this type of bread.
Lidl describes a dark multigrain half loaf for anyone looking to serve bread with grains and seeds.
ALDI lists Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood half as a half wholemeal loaf.
PLUS lists half wholemeal and hearth-baked loaves, including 400 g packs.
Dirk lists half wholemeal loaves from Bakker van der Akker, including a reduced-carbohydrate variety.
Check the ingredients list for terms such as baker’s salt or iodised salt. The Voedingscentrum advises checking the label rather than relying on the name of the bread alone.
It’s best to freeze any unused slices on the day you buy them. The Voedingscentrum’s storage guide recommends keeping wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. Also follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
No. The gluten-free label doesn’t tell you about all other allergens. For AH Glutenvrij Madeleine brood half, Albert Heijn states that it may contain egg, milk, soya, almond and hazelnut, among other allergens. Check the current label and prevent cross-contamination when serving.
It depends on the variety and retailer. PLUS and Jumbo list delivery or collection options, while Lidl lists the multigrain half loaf described here as an in-store product and Dirk doesn’t offer a delivery service. Check shortly before buying which options are available for your order.
