Small groups
If you’re serving bread for one to three people, a half loaf lets you tailor the amount to the meal. If you have slices left over, the Voedingscentrum recommends freezing them in portions.
For a small group, choose a half white loaf if the amount suits what you’re serving at your Italian evening. Freeze any leftover slices, as the Voedingscentrum recommends. If you’re mainly making sandwiches or toasties, consider the loaf’s shape; for other priorities, compare the fibre per 100 g and check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
If you’re serving bread for one to three people, a half loaf lets you tailor the amount to the meal. If you have slices left over, the Voedingscentrum recommends freezing them in portions.
If the bread is mainly for filled sandwiches or toasties, look for soft, evenly cut slices. Dirk describes its Casino wit half as suitable for a sandwich or toastie; Jumbo also lists a half white loaf for toasties.
If you want to serve white bread but also compare fibre, salt and allergens, check the nutritional information per 100 g and the ingredients list. The Voedingscentrum recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible for everyday bread choices.
First work out how much bread to serve alongside the rest of the meal, then choose a shape that suits how you plan to use it.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and leftovers | Compare the weight and number of slices with what you plan to serve. Think about which slices you’d like to freeze. | If I’m only serving bread to a small group, I don’t want to be left with a lot. Getting the amount right is a priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Loaf shape and texture | Check whether the bread is sliced and whether the variety is intended for sandwiches or toasties. | If I’m making filled snacks or toasties, I want slices that suit the way I’m preparing them. This matters most to around 30% of consumers. |
| Fibre and ingredients | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. | When I’m buying bread for guests, I want to know what it contains and how its nutritional values compare with another variety. Comparing labels is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
According to the Voedingscentrum, bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt. So the type of bread won’t tell you whether this ingredient has been used.
Look for baker’s salt in the ingredients list, or ask the baker.
A smaller pack doesn’t guarantee that you won’t have slices left over.
Following the Voedingscentrum’s advice, freeze any bread you don’t need straight away in portions, and take out only what you’ll use each time.
Loaf shape, nutritional values and ingredients can vary from one product to another. So a loaf chosen for toasties won’t necessarily suit every guest.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check the current allergen information on the packaging.
Albert Heijn lists AH Extra lang lekker Zaans wit half among its half white loaf options.
Jumbo lists half loaves in its range, including a half white loaf for toasties.
PLUS lists Korenlanders Rond wit half as a 400 g loaf.
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Casino wit half.
ALDI lists half and whole loaves in its bakery range.
Lidl lists an 800 g white loaf as an option to compare when considering the size you need.
No, you can still have slices left over from half a loaf. The Voedingscentrum recommends freezing bread in portions and taking out only what you need each time.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list or ask the baker if you want to know whether it has been used.
Check the allergen information for the specific bread you’re serving. AH Extra lang lekker Zaans wit half lists wheat, milk and soya, and may contain sesame; don’t assume the same information applies to other white breads.
No, a higher fibre content doesn’t make white bread wholemeal. The Voedingscentrum recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible; compare the fibre per 100 g if you’re choosing between white varieties.