If you live in a small household, buy a half loaf if it helps you match the amount you eat more closely. If you won’t get through even a half loaf quickly, freeze it in portions on the day you buy it. If you want wholemeal bread, check the wording on the packaging and compare the weight, price per kilo and ingredients too. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, croissants are small bread products, not a type of half loaf.
If you’re buying for one or two people, a half loaf may better match what you’ll eat over a few days. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions straight after buying it if you want to keep it for longer.
You want a suitable half loaf without judging it on the price per loaf alone. Compare the weight and price per kilo, and check the packaging to see whether the bread is specifically labelled as wholemeal.
If certain ingredients matter to you, read the information on the exact packaging. Allergen information and warnings about possible traces vary between the breads examined, including those from Jumbo and PLUS.
First, work out how much bread you actually eat. Then compare breads of the same type by weight and price per kilo, and use the label to check the ingredients and nutritional information.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and storage | Think about how much you’ll eat over the next few days; if needed, freeze the rest in portions on the day you buy it. | If I only use a few slices, I don’t want to end up throwing some of the half loaf away. An estimated 42% of consumers put avoiding waste first. |
| Comparing costs | For the same type of bread, compare the weight and price per kilo, where shown. | When doing a small shop, I want to know what I’m getting for the amount I pay. For around 33% of consumers, the upfront cost is the most important factor. |
| Label and ingredients | Check the wholemeal label, nutritional information per 100 g, and the ingredients and allergen information. | If I’m looking for wholemeal bread or need to check the ingredients, the colour of the bread shouldn’t determine my choice. For an estimated 25% of consumers, the label is the top priority. |
A lower price per loaf doesn’t tell you much if the type and weight of the bread are different. Any bread you end up throwing away also matters when choosing the right size.
Compare breads of the same type by weight and price per kilo, and buy an amount you can use up or freeze.
The colour doesn’t tell you whether a loaf is made with white flour, brown flour or wholemeal flour, according to Brood.net. So a dark loaf won’t necessarily meet your expectations if you’re looking for wholemeal bread.
Look for the explicit wholemeal label on the packaging and, if you like, compare the fibre content per 100 g.
Even a smaller pack can leave you with bread to spare if you only eat it now and then.
Following the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice, freeze it in portions on the day you buy it and take out what you need.
These examples show different types of half loaves. Check the information for the specific product when you buy it; the breads listed are not necessarily directly comparable.
Albert Heijn lists AH Rond volkoren half as a half wholemeal loaf.
Jumbo Rond Bruin Half is a half brown wheat loaf, not a loaf labelled as wholemeal.
Lidl describes Halfje extra volkorenbrood as a 400 g loaf.
ALDI lists an Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood half with seeds and grains.
PLUS lists, among other products, Boeren volkoren half, weighing 400 g.
Dirk lists, among other products, Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren half and Casino volkoren half.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre classifies croissants as small bread products; a half loaf is a smaller pack of a standard loaf. If you’re looking for bread for several breakfasts or lunches, compare the number of slices you need and how you can store it, rather than treating these as the same category.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage guide, opened wholemeal bread keeps for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard. If you don’t expect to eat it within that time, freeze it in portions on the day you buy it; bread may become drier if you store it in the freezer for longer.
No. According to Brood.net, the colour doesn’t tell you whether a loaf is made with white flour, brown flour or wholemeal flour. Look for the explicit wholemeal label on the packaging and compare the fibre content per 100 g if that matters to your choice.
Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact loaf, including warnings about possible traces. For example, the product information examined for Jumbo Rond Bruin Half lists wheat and barley, and possible traces of milk, nuts, sesame and soya, among other things; other loaves may have different ingredients.
