Who is a half loaf useful for?

Small barbecue gatherings

If bread is a side dish, a half loaf can help you avoid having lots of unnecessary slices left over. Still, compare the actual amount: ‘half’ doesn’t tell you how much bread you’ll have for your gathering.

Shoppers comparing nutritional information

If you want to serve white bread, you can compare the fibre and salt per 100 g, as well as the ingredients, for different varieties. That way, your choice is based on the label for the specific loaf, not just its name.

Shoppers with an allergy or gluten-free requirement

For these shoppers, the ingredients and allergen information are key. A half loaf of white bread isn’t automatically gluten-free; even with a product explicitly labelled gluten-free, you should still check for other allergens.

What should you look for when choosing?

Work out how much bread you’ll need alongside the rest of the barbecue food. Then compare the style of bread and the label. Any requirement relating to gluten or other allergens should take priority over a preference for texture or fibre.

What to consider What should you check? Who is it important for?
Right amount Compare the weight or number of slices with how much you expect to serve alongside other side dishes. Check the storage instructions too. For a small gathering, I don’t want a whole loaf left over if I’m only serving a few slices. Around 40% of consumers prioritise getting the right amount.
Soft slices Check the description of the bread style and choose a type that suits sandwiches or toasting. For sandwiches or toasted sandwiches at a barbecue, I want bread with the right texture; around 30% of consumers prioritise this.
Fibre Compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information for each loaf. I want to serve white bread, but I’m particularly interested in the difference in fibre. For around 20% of consumers, this is the most important factor.
Gluten and allergens Read the ingredients and any ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements. If avoiding gluten, check that the bread is explicitly labelled gluten-free. If someone needs to avoid gluten or another allergen, I can’t rely on the name ‘white bread’. For around 10% of consumers, these requirements come first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming every half loaf of white bread contains the same amount of fibre

    Jumbo’s product information lists 1.5 g of fibre per 100 g for Boeren Wit Half and 7.3 g per 100 g for Wit Brood met Extra Vezels Half. So the word ‘white’ doesn’t tell you enough about the fibre content.

    Compare the fibre per 100 g on the label of the loaf you’re actually choosing.

  • Confusing gluten-free with allergen-free

    Regular white bread may contain wheat and gluten. Other allergens may also be listed for gluten-free bread.

    If you need to avoid gluten, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and read the full allergen information too.

  • Assuming every loaf contains iodised salt

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes bread made with iodised baker’s salt as a source of iodine in the Netherlands. That doesn’t mean every loaf contains this salt.

    Check the ingredients list for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’ if this matters for your choice.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists both a whole white loaf and a separate half loaf of gluten-free white bread.

  • AH Wit heel is listed as having around 22 slices, with instructions for freezing it at home on the day of purchase. AH Glutenvrij Wit brood half is listed as a 480 g loaf.
  • Don’t use the information for the whole loaf as a label for a regular half loaf. For the gluten-free variety, check for other allergens too.

Jumbo

Two half loaves of white bread described by Jumbo show why it’s useful to compare nutritional information for each variety.

  • Jumbo lists 1.5 g of fibre per 100 g for Boeren Wit Half and 7.3 g per 100 g for Wit Brood met Extra Vezels Half.
  • The relevant product pages stated that both varieties were no longer available in the online range. Check which loaves are currently available and read their individual labels.

PLUS

PLUS Boeren wit half is an example of a regular half loaf of white bread with ingredients and nutritional information available online.

  • The product information lists ingredients including wheat flour and baker’s salt, along with 2.4 g of fibre per 100 g and 1.1 g of salt per 100 g.
  • PLUS states that product information may change, so check the packaging of the loaf you buy.

Dirk

Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Casino wit half as a half loaf of white bread.

  • Dirk describes the bread as soft and light, and suggests using it for sandwiches and toasted sandwiches.
  • Before buying, check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the packaging or the current product page.

ALDI

ALDI lists Wit brood Half alongside other half and whole loaves.

  • The separate listing makes it easier to search specifically for a half loaf of white bread.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the packaging before comparing it with other varieties.

Lidl

Lidl lists an 800 g white loaf online, as well as a half loaf of extra wholemeal bread.

  • These listings make it clear which size and type of bread you’re comparing with your shopping list.
  • A half loaf of extra wholemeal bread isn’t a half loaf of white bread. Check in store to see which half loaves of white bread are available.

Related products

Related products will be available here soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does every loaf of bread in the Netherlands contain iodised baker’s salt?

No, don’t assume that without checking the label. Look for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’ in the ingredients list if this matters for your choice.

How should I store white bread left over after a barbecue?

Follow the storage instructions for the bread you bought. Albert Heijn says that AH Wit heel can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month; this timeframe doesn’t automatically apply to other loaves.

Is half a loaf of white bread with extra fibre also gluten-free?

Not automatically: the Wit Brood met Extra Vezels Half described by Jumbo contains wheat and gluten. If you need to avoid gluten, choose bread explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the information about other allergens too.