Small households looking to use up their bread
If you’re ordering for one or two people, a half loaf can be a good fit for your planned breakfasts and lunches. Albert Heijn and Jumbo both stock a half wholemeal loaf.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Anyone planning a weekend breakfast
If you’re planning breakfast or brunch with croissants, consider both the number of pastries and how they need to be prepared. The Albert Heijn and PLUS varieties we looked at each have their own baking instructions, so check the packaging for the one you choose.
Shoppers comparing ingredients and fibre
If you want to take fibre content or the use of iodised salt into account, check the nutritional information and ingredients for each product. Don’t rely on the name ‘wholemeal bread’ or ‘croissant’ alone.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you need bread for several meals or croissants for one planned occasion. Then compare the packaging and the information that matters for your choice.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size and storage | Check the number of portions and the storage advice; make sure you can freeze the specific loaf at home. | If I’m ordering for one or two people, I don’t want to bring home more bread than I can use. Around 42% of consumers prioritise buying a suitable quantity. |
| Nutritional information and ingredients | Compare fibre per 100 g and check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt, as well as any relevant allergens. | I want to be able to assess the composition of my chosen variety for my usual meals. For around 33% of consumers, this everyday product choice matters most. |
| Planned croissant breakfast | Check the number of croissants, the preparation instructions and the storage conditions for the variety you’ve chosen. | I want to serve croissants at a particular time and work out how many I’ll need. A planned breakfast is the priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Treating croissants as an everyday alternative to wholemeal bread
The half wholemeal loaves and croissant varieties we looked at differ in their fibre content per 100 g. Comparing product names alone won’t show you the difference.
Check the nutritional information for the varieties you’re actually planning to order, and choose the quantity to suit your planned meals.
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Assuming every loaf contains iodised salt
Ingredients vary from one loaf to another. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread is not always baked with baker’s salt.
Check the product page and packaging to see whether ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’ appears in the ingredients list.
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Relying on the online product page alone
Ingredients and allergen information can change. This is particularly relevant if you’re choosing a croissant variety based on specific ingredients.
Read the latest product information when ordering, and check the label on the packaging you receive before eating the product.
Brands compared
Albert Heijn
An option if you want to compare a half wholemeal loaf and croissant dough in the same online grocery order.
- The AH Rond volkoren half we looked at lists 11 portions and 6,9 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The AH croissant dough we looked at needs to be kept refrigerated and prepared immediately after opening.
Jumbo
Jumbo stocks half wholemeal loaves and croissant varieties. According to Jumbo, you can have your online groceries delivered or collect them.
- Jumbo Fijn Volkoren Half lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g and baker’s salt.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information for the plant-based croissant separately; ‘plant-based’ doesn’t mean allergen-free.
PLUS
An option for adding croissants to your other groceries for delivery or collection, where available.
- The PLUS butter croissants we looked at come with oven-baking instructions.
- Arrange delivery or collection for a time that suits when you want to serve the croissants.
Dirk
A shop to consider for croissants if you can do your shopping in person.
- Dirk lists croissant products in its online range.
- Dirk states on its product page that it doesn’t offer a delivery service.
Lidl
Compare your local options if you’re planning to buy bread or croissants from Lidl.
- Lidl Netherlands provides information about its online shop and collection options for online orders.
- This online shop information covers non-food items and parcel delivery; check the options for everyday groceries separately.
Aldi
A shop to consider if you’re happy to visit a branch in person.
- You can browse the range and find a branch using the ALDI app.
- Check delivery options separately if home delivery is a requirement for your order.
Croissants on Joybuy
These croissants are suited to a planned breakfast. Choose a quantity that suits your meal; if you’re looking for bread to last several days, consider a half wholemeal loaf separately.
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g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 stuks, 180 g
Four croissants, with the quantity suited to the number of people you’re serving at a planned breakfast.
If you want to serve them at a particular time, check the preparation and storage instructions on the packaging.
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Bakery Village Danish Croissant, 85 g
The 85 g pack is an option if you’re looking for one croissant for a planned meal.
Check the ingredients and nutritional information if you’d like to compare it with bread or other croissants.
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SCHOOF Croissants, 4 stuks
Four croissants for a breakfast where you can plan the quantity in advance.
Before buying, check the preparation and storage instructions for this variety.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose a half wholemeal loaf instead of croissants?
A half wholemeal loaf is a good fit for several planned breakfasts or lunches in a small household, while croissants are better suited to one planned meal. The half wholemeal loaves from Albert Heijn and Jumbo that we looked at list 6,9 g and 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g respectively. Compare the nutritional information for the varieties you’re planning to order.
Can I assume every loaf contains iodised baker’s salt?
No, don’t assume that. The Voedingscentrum says that bread isn’t always baked with baker’s salt; check the ingredients list for the variety you’ve chosen to see whether it contains ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’.
How can I avoid having bread or croissant dough left over?
Choose a number of portions that suits your planned meals and follow the storage advice on the packaging. The AH croissant dough we looked at needs to be prepared immediately after opening; check separately whether and when you can freeze a half loaf at home.
Can I order croissants for home delivery from Dirk, Lidl or ALDI?
Check with each shop before you count on it. Dirk says it doesn’t offer a delivery service. Lidl’s Dutch online shop, as described, focuses on non-food items, while the information about the ALDI app covers browsing the range and finding a branch.