Who is half a loaf useful for?

Two-person households looking to avoid leftover bread

If you only eat bread with dinner, half a loaf may better match the amount you have planned. If you do have slices left, Voedingscentrum recommends freezing bread in portions after buying it.

Shoppers comparing wholemeal bread and nutritional values

If you’re also buying bread for another meal, compare the wholemeal label and the nutritional information per 100 g. A dark colour, seeds or the word ‘multigrain’ on its own doesn’t tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal.

People who want to serve warm bread with dinner

If you want to bake bread just before eating, bake-at-home products are another option besides half a loaf. Check how many pieces are in the pack and whether you have the oven or air fryer you need.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, work out how much bread you expect to use with dinner and afterwards. Then compare the type of bread or, if you want to serve it warm, the pack size and preparation instructions for a bake-at-home product.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Quantity and leftovers Check whether it’s labelled as half a loaf, the weight, and how many slices you can use later or freeze. If we’re not planning another bread-based meal after dinner, I don’t want lots of slices left over. For around 42% of consumers, portion size comes first.
Type of bread and ingredients Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name and compare the ingredients, fibre and salt per 100 g on the pack. If the bread is also for another meal, I want to be able to choose based on the type of bread and its nutritional value. Around 33% of consumers give this the highest priority.
Serving with dinner Compare the number of pieces, the weight and the preparation instructions if you want to bake the bread at home. I want to serve the bread warm just before eating, and match the quantity to the meal. This matters most to around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming half a loaf will automatically get used up

    You can still have slices left over from half a loaf if you’re not planning to use them for another meal after dinner.

    Think in advance about how much you need. Voedingscentrum recommends freezing bread in portions after buying it if you want to use it later.

  • Mistaking dark or multigrain bread for wholemeal

    Colour, seeds and the word ‘multigrain’ are no substitute for a wholemeal label.

    Check the product name and ingredients list and, if fibre is important to you, compare the nutritional information per 100 g.

  • Overlooking allergens when buying bread for guests

    Bread varieties can contain different grains, seeds and allergens. This matters even for a small side dish if one of your guests has an allergy.

    Read the latest allergen information on the pack before serving the bread.

  • Assuming every shop has the same range

    A particular half loaf may not be available at your local branch or in your delivery area on the day you want it.

    Check local availability if you need that specific loaf for your meal.

Brands offering relevant half loaves

These brands show examples of half loaves in their range. Compare the product you choose for yourself, checking the ingredients, nutritional information and availability.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers products including AH Vloerbrood volkoren half, for anyone looking for half a wholemeal crusty loaf.

  • The product information describes a firmer crusty loaf decorated with maize grits, sesame and poppy seeds.
  • Check the current packaging when you buy it, especially if the ingredients matter to a guest.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers half wholemeal loaves, including a variety made with several grains.

  • Jumbo Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen Half is a specific example to compare by type of bread and ingredients.
  • Check the allergen information for this variety; don’t assume that other multigrain breads are wholemeal.

Dirk

Dirk offers Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren half as an option if you’re looking for a particular half wholemeal loaf.

  • The product name makes the type of bread and half-loaf size clear.
  • Check whether the product is available at your local shop.

ALDI

ALDI lists half-size fresh loaves as well as bread products to bake at home.

  • You can weigh up a half loaf against a bake-at-home product if serving warm bread matters to you.
  • Compare the pack size: a bake-at-home product isn’t automatically half a loaf.

PLUS

PLUS offers a range of half loaves, including PLUS Korenlanders Extra donker volkoren vloer half.

  • The Korenlanders variety listed comes in a 400 g pack; PLUS recommends freezing it on the day of purchase if you want to use it later.
  • Check the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for this variety.

Lidl

Lidl lists a 400 g Halfje extra volkorenbrood as an example of a half wholemeal loaf.

  • The half-loaf size and weight are stated for this variety.
  • Lidl lists this product as an in-store item, so check availability at your local branch.

Bake-at-home baguettes for dinner on Joybuy

These two packs suit anyone choosing bake-at-home bread to serve warm with dinner. Both contain four baguettes weighing 135 g each and neither is half a loaf, so compare the quantity with what you can use that evening and afterwards.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Natural Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Natural Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g

An option if you want to bake baguettes for dinner and can make four fit into your meal plan.

This isn’t half a loaf. Allow time for defrosting and make sure you have an oven; check the packaging if you only want to prepare or store some of the baguettes.

Check the latest ingredients and allergen information if you’re serving guests.

View on Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g

An option if you want to bake bread for dinner and can use a pack of four baguettes.

This isn’t half a loaf. Multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal; check the product information if the type of bread is a deciding factor for you.

Allow time for defrosting and make sure you have an oven. Check the latest allergen information, as well as the storage and preparation instructions if you’re not using all the baguettes at once.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is half a loaf always useful for dinner for two?

No. How much you’ll use later is just as important. Half a loaf works if you’re not planning many occasions to eat bread; a whole loaf can also be suitable if you freeze the remaining slices in portions after buying it, as Voedingscentrum recommends.

How should I store bread left over after dinner?

Freeze bread in portions after buying it if you want to eat it later; that’s Voedingscentrum’s storage advice. Also follow the instructions on the packaging of the bread you buy.

Is multigrain bread wholemeal too?

Not necessarily: multigrain means it contains several types of grain. Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name and check the ingredients if you specifically want wholemeal bread.

Does all bread contain iodine?

Don’t assume that a particular product does. Check the ingredients on the packaging if the presence of baker’s salt is important to your choice.

Should I check for allergens when buying bread for a guest?

Yes, read the latest allergen information for the bread you choose. Some of the half loaves mentioned contain sesame as well as cereals containing gluten, or list other allergens as possible cross-contamination risks. Ingredients vary by product.