Who is this choice relevant to?

Lunch planners who want to avoid waste

You buy bread for a few lunches each week and are choosing between a half loaf and freezing portions. The Voedingscentrum recommends taking out only the portion you need from the freezer.

Shoppers comparing wholemeal bread and nutritional information

You’re looking for a wholemeal base for your lunch and want to check the fibre, ingredients and other nutritional information on the packaging.

Campus-goers who want to check availability

You want to pick up a half loaf from a shop that fits into your daily route, and check whether it stocks the variety you want.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, work out how many lunches you’ll get from one loaf and whether you can freeze portions. Then check the wholemeal description and the information on the packaging of the variety you want to buy.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Quantity and storage Count your planned lunches. Check whether you can freeze any leftover bread in portions before it goes stale. I only eat bread for lunch a few times a week and don’t want any slices left over; around 42% of consumers prioritise finding a suitable quantity.
Wholemeal bread and nutritional information Read the product description, ingredients, allergen information and nutritional information per 100 g for the variety you’ve chosen. I want wholemeal bread for lunch, with information such as fibre and salt on the packaging to compare; around 33% of consumers prioritise this product information.
Availability and variety Check the pack weight and whether the exact half loaf you want is available at your local shop. When I buy bread on my way to university, I want to find the right half-loaf variety at my local shop; availability is the main concern for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a half loaf automatically prevents waste

    A half loaf can still go uneaten if you have bread for lunch less often than you planned. The Voedingscentrum says opened wholemeal bread keeps for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard.

    Plan your lunches in advance and freeze portions soon after buying if you won’t eat the bread within a few days.

  • Assuming a product claim applies to every half loaf

    Ingredients and nutritional values apply to the specific variety. For example, PLUS lists 6,4 g of fibre and 0,97 g of salt per 100 g for Korenlanders Boeren tijger volkoren 1/2; those figures don’t apply to another loaf.

    Check the nutritional information, ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the bread you’re actually buying.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists several half-loaf wholemeal varieties, including Zaans, tijger and waldkorn.

  • You can compare several half-loaf varieties in its range.
  • Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging, as ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Fijn Volkoren Half in its wholemeal bread range.

  • The product name makes it easy to identify this half-loaf wholemeal variety.
  • Check whether this variety is available at your local shop and read the current packaging.

Lidl

Lidl lists Halfje extra volkorenbrood in a 400 g pack.

  • The pack weight helps you decide whether the quantity suits your lunch plans.
  • Lidl says this product is available in store only.

Aldi

Aldi lists products including Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood half and Boeren volkoren meergranen half.

  • These half loaves give you a choice of varieties to compare by checking their packaging.
  • Check which variety is available at each shop and read its nutritional information.

Plus

Plus lists Korenlanders Boeren tijger volkoren 1/2 in a 400 g pack.

  • The product information lists ingredients and nutritional values, including fibre and salt per 100 g.
  • Plus says product information may change and can vary locally, so check the packaging too.

Dirk

Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren half.

  • The product name distinguishes this half-loaf wholemeal variety from other breads.
  • Check the ingredients and nutritional information on the current packaging before choosing it for lunch.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does a half loaf always prevent more waste than a whole loaf?

No, it depends on how much bread you eat and what you freeze. A half loaf may suit a few lunches, while the Voedingscentrum says you can also freeze a whole loaf in portions and take out what you need each time.

How long can you keep opened wholemeal bread?

The Voedingscentrum says opened wholemeal bread keeps for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer. For an unopened pack, also check the use-by date and storage instructions on the label.

How can you check the allergens in a half loaf?

Read the allergen information on the packaging of the exact variety you’re buying. Don’t rely on the ingredients list for another loaf or an older pack: Albert Heijn notes that product and allergen information can change.

Is dark bread or multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No, the colour or the word ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal. If you specifically want wholemeal bread, check the product description and ingredients on the pack you’ve chosen.