For a small household, half a wholemeal loaf is a good choice if you’ll eat it within a few days or freeze any portions you won’t use straight away. If you’re keeping an eye on your shopping budget, don’t just look at the size: check that the bread is labelled wholemeal and read the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you choose.
If you’re shopping for one or two people, a half loaf may be a better fit for what you’ll eat over the next few days. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, opened wholemeal bread keeps for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer. Freezing portions gives you more time to use the bread.
For everyday breakfasts or lunches, you’ll want to know whether you’ll actually use all the bread in a half loaf. Compare the weight and type of bread for the varieties you’re considering. A half loaf with seeds or a different recipe isn’t the same product as a plain wholemeal loaf.
If the wholemeal label, texture, nutritional value or an allergen is important to you, check the information for the exact loaf. Ingredients and allergens can vary between varieties, even within the same brand.
Start with how much bread you can use up. Then check the wholemeal label and the product information. If you have a particular preference, compare the nutritional values per 100 g.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Shopping budget | Check that it’s a half loaf and compare the contents and type of bread for the varieties you’re considering. | I’m looking for bread for everyday meals and mainly want to choose something that fits my shopping budget. This budget concern is the top priority for around 31% of shoppers. |
| Portion size and food waste | Check the weight or number of portions. Freeze any portions you won’t use if you won’t eat the bread within a few days. | I don’t want the last few slices to go uneaten in a small household. Around 25% of shoppers put reducing food waste first. |
| Wholemeal and allergens | Check that it’s labelled ‘wholemeal’ and read the current ingredients and allergen information. | I want to be sure what type of bread I’m buying and what it contains. Checking the label is the main concern for around 25% of shoppers. |
| Nutritional values | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the exact varieties, such as fibre, salt or carbohydrates. | If I’m keeping an eye on a particular nutritional value, I want to compare loaves on the same basis. This specific comparison is the top priority for around 19% of shoppers. |
The colour and seeds don’t tell you whether the bread is made with wholemeal flour. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made with 100% wholemeal flour; brown bread can also contain white flour.
Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the exact loaf, then read the ingredients list.
Even a smaller pack can leave you with bread to spare. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says opened wholemeal bread keeps for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard.
When you buy it, think about how much you’ll eat in that time and freeze the rest straight away. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread keeps for 1–3 months in the freezer.
These brands offer different types of half wholemeal loaf that you can compare. Check the current label and size for each variety rather than assuming that features of one loaf apply to the whole brand.
Albert Heijn offers, among other options, a half Zaans wholemeal loaf and has also listed a coarser farmhouse variety.
Jumbo lists a half fine wholemeal loaf, a Waldkorn wholemeal variety and a half loaf with reduced carbohydrates.
Lidl lists a 400 g half loaf of extra wholemeal bread as a product available in store.
ALDI describes a half wholemeal loaf with seeds and grains.
PLUS lists a half farmhouse wholemeal loaf, among other half wholemeal varieties.
Dirk lists half wholemeal loaves from Bakker van der Akker, including farmhouse and sandwich loaves.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made with 100% wholemeal flour, while brown bread can also contain white flour. So check that the loaf you’re buying is labelled ‘wholemeal’ and read its ingredients list.
Freeze any portions you won’t eat soon straight away. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says opened wholemeal bread keeps for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer. It may become drier if frozen for a long time.
Always read the current allergen information for the exact loaf. Depending on the variety, ingredients such as barley, rye, oats, soya, sesame or egg may also be relevant, as well as wheat and gluten. Don’t rely on the bread’s name or colour alone.
