Choose half a wholemeal loaf if you need less bread around the Sinterklaas arrival than a full loaf would provide. If you’re not sure when you’ll eat the rest, freeze it in portions straight away. Then compare the packaging for fibre, salt, ingredients and allergens. Choose a crustier hearth loaf only if its texture suits the occasion.
If you don’t eat much bread every day, a half loaf may better suit how much you use. Freeze any leftover portions straight away if you’re not going to eat them soon, as advised by the Voedingscentrum (the Netherlands Nutrition Centre).
For breakfast or lunch, you can choose half a wholemeal loaf without relying on its dark colour or a festive variety. If fibre is one of your deciding factors, compare the nutritional information on the packaging.
If you have an allergy or prefer a particular type of salt, the current ingredients and allergen information matter more than the name of the bread. Check the packaging for each product.
First, work out how many slices of bread you’ll need around the Sinterklaas arrival. Then compare the type of bread and its nutritional information. Only consider the crust and texture if they’re important for the occasion.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and food waste | Check whether you’ll use a half loaf in time and whether you can freeze the rest in portions straight away. | If I only need bread for a few meals, I don’t want to open more than I’ll use. For around 36% of consumers, reducing leftover bread is the top priority. |
| Wholemeal and nutritional value | Read the bread description and compare fibre and salt per 100 g on the packaging. | For my usual breakfast or lunch, I want to know what type of bread I’m buying and what the nutritional information says. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Crust and texture | Check whether the description mentions a hearth loaf or a loaf with seeds and grains. | For a meal with others, I like to choose between an ordinary slice of bread and a crustier loaf. The preferred texture is the deciding factor for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current ingredients, allergens and any mention of bakers’ salt on the packaging. | If a particular ingredient matters to me, I want to know what’s in that specific loaf before I buy it. This is the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
A half loaf can still go stale or mouldy if it sits around for longer than expected.
Choose an amount that suits your mealtimes. The Voedingscentrum advises freezing bread in portions straight after buying it and taking out only what you need each time.
A dark colour or a name that mentions seeds won’t tell you how much fibre or salt the bread contains per 100 g.
Read the bread description, ingredients and nutrition table on the packaging of the loaf you’re buying.
Albert Heijn lists sesame and gluten-containing cereals among the ingredients in AH Vloerbrood volkoren half. Other recipes may contain different ingredients.
Check the allergen information for the specific loaf before buying. For unpackaged bread, you can ask the shop for this information.
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Vloerbrood volkoren half.
PLUS lists products including Boeren volkoren half and Korenlanders Extra donker volkoren vloer half.
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren half.
Lidl lists Halfje extra volkorenbrood as an in-store product.
ALDI lists products including Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood half and Boeren volkoren meergranen half.
No, the amount still needs to suit how much you use. If you’re not sure when you’ll eat the rest, the Voedingscentrum advises freezing the bread in portions straight after you buy it.
Half a wholemeal loaf is a good choice if you want to buy a smaller amount and prefer wholemeal bread. The Voedingscentrum advises replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible. Before buying, compare the nutritional information and ingredients of the loaves you’re considering.
Freeze it in portions straight after buying it, then take out what you need for each meal, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. Follow the instructions for the product you choose too; PLUS says Boeren volkoren half should be frozen on the day of purchase and used within a month.
Check the current information on the packaging of the specific loaf. For unpackaged bread, you can ask the shop for the allergen information before buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says customers must be given this information.
