A half loaf of wholemeal bread is a good choice with split pea soup if you’re eating with just a few people, want to prioritise fibre and don’t want much bread left over. If you prefer brown bread or another variety, choose a size that suits the number of slices you’ll use, and freeze any leftovers. If you have allergies, or iodine is relevant to your diet, always check the information for the specific loaf.
If there are one or two of you having split pea soup, a half loaf may be a better match for the number of slices you need. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says you can freeze leftover bread and take out as much as you need each time.
If bread makes up a substantial part of your meal alongside the soup, you can choose wholemeal as a conscious option. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as a variety that is high in fibre, vitamins and minerals.
If you need to avoid gluten or other allergens, or you’re checking for iodised baker’s salt, read the information for the specific loaf rather than relying on its size or colour.
Work out how many slices you’ll use with your split pea soup and afterwards. Then choose a type of bread that suits your preferences and check for any ingredients that matter to you.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and leftovers | Count the slices you expect to use and check whether you can freeze the rest. | For a small meal, I don’t want bread left over that I can’t eat in time. Around 45% of consumers would prioritise cutting down on leftovers. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ and, if needed, compare the fibre content per 100 g; ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal. | If bread makes up a substantial part of my meal, I prefer wholemeal and check the nutritional information. For around 33% of consumers, this would be their first consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information. Check for iodised baker’s salt if it’s relevant to your diet. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the information about the bread is what matters most; iodised salt may also be something I need to consider. Around 22% of consumers would put this check first. |
The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you by itself whether the bread is entirely wholemeal or how much fibre it contains.
If you want wholemeal bread, look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name and compare the nutritional information per 100 g if needed.
You can still have slices left over from a half loaf if you eat less than expected.
Work out how much you need in advance. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing leftover bread and taking out as much as you need each time.
A wholemeal or gluten-free label doesn’t give you a full picture of other allergens. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also says that bakers don’t always use iodised baker’s salt.
Check the latest ingredients and allergen information before buying. For unwrapped bread, ask about allergens and, if it matters to you, which salt has been used.
Albert Heijn’s online bread range features several half loaves, including wholemeal and gluten-free options.
Jumbo’s online bread range features whole and half loaves, including several wholemeal options.
No, it depends on how many slices you use and what you want to keep. A whole loaf can work too if you freeze the leftover slices; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends taking out only as much bread as you need from the freezer each time.
Wholemeal bread is a good choice if you want to make a conscious effort to get more fibre with your soup. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as a variety that is high in fibre, vitamins and minerals. Your preference for taste and texture also matters.
No, don’t assume that it does. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. For packaged bread, check the ingredients list; for unwrapped bread, ask which salt has been used.
Check the label on packaged bread before you buy it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be declared; for unwrapped bread, the information must be made available in another way. Ask if it isn’t easy to find.
