For St Nicholas’ Eve, buy half a wholemeal loaf if bread is only part of the meal for your small household, and choose a size that suits how much you expect to eat. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, and freeze any leftover slices according to the storage instructions. A seeded variety or one with a different nutritional profile is only worth choosing if those particular qualities suit your preferences.
If you’re shopping for one or two people, or bread is a side dish on St Nicholas’ Eve, a half loaf may be a better match for how much you’ll eat. It’s also worth thinking ahead about freezing any leftover slices. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread is one of the ten most wasted products.
You’re looking for wholemeal bread, but also want to compare the fibre, salt and ingredients in each product. Compare nutritional values on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and don’t rely on the dark colour or product name alone.
If your guests or household members need to avoid certain ingredients, check the current allergen information before serving. This is important for half loaves containing seeds or several types of grain, too.
Work out how much bread you’ll need that evening, then see which recipe suits everyone who’ll be eating. Check the packaging of the loaf you’re actually buying: size, ingredients and nutritional values can vary between varieties.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Size and leftovers | Check whether the loaf is sold as a half loaf, and read the storage and freezing instructions. | I don’t want to buy more slices for a small table than we can eat or store. Around 36% of consumers prioritise size and leftovers. |
| Wholemeal and nutritional value | Read the product description and compare fibre and salt per 100 g when those values are listed. | I choose based on the recipe and want to know how the loaf compares with other half loaves. This nutritional profile is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any relevant warning about possible traces of allergens. | If someone at the table needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check the loaf. Ingredients and allergens are the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Local availability | Check whether your chosen variety is available at your local store or in your delivery area. | I’m doing my shopping shortly before the evening and want to be able to get a half loaf then. Around 14% of consumers prioritise local availability. |
A smaller loaf limits how much you buy, but it won’t stop you having unused slices left over. The Voedingscentrum lists bread as one of the products that is often wasted.
Buy according to how much you expect to use, and freeze any leftover slices promptly, following the packaging instructions. Bear in mind that bread can become drier if it is frozen for longer.
Dark colour, seeds and the term ‘multigrain’ don’t tell you on their own what ingredients or nutritional values the bread has.
Read the product description and ingredients list. Compare fibre and salt per 100 g if you’re choosing between varieties.
Recipes vary. The half hearth loaf described by PLUS lists wheat, rye, barley, oats and sesame, among other ingredients, so the name of a loaf is no substitute for checking the label.
Check the current allergen information before buying, and again before serving it to anyone for whom that information is important.
Albert Heijn marks the half Bauern-grove-volkoren variety described as no longer available. So a loaf you looked at previously may not be the one you can buy now.
Check which half wholemeal loaves are available shortly before you shop, and read the packaging of the product you choose.
Albert Heijn describes a half Bauern-grove-volkoren loaf, but marks this specific variety as no longer available.
Jumbo Fijn Volkoren - Half is an example of a half wholemeal loaf without seeds, to use as a starting point for comparison.
Lidl lists a 400 g Halfje extra volkorenbrood as an in-store product.
ALDI describes a half wholemeal loaf with seeds and grains.
PLUS Korenlanders Extra donker volkoren vloer half is a 400 g loaf made with various grains and seeds.
Dirk describes Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren half as a fresh half wholemeal loaf.
Choose a loaf that is explicitly sold as a half loaf, and pick a size that suits how much you expect to eat or freeze. Check the weight or number of portions if that information is available, and read the storage instructions.
Yes, bread can be stored in the freezer, although the Voedingscentrum says it may become drier if kept for longer. Follow the instructions for the product you choose; the half loaves described by PLUS and Albert Heijn advise freezing on the day of purchase and using within one month.
No, don’t judge by colour or seeds. Read the product description and ingredients list for the loaf you want to buy; compare nutritional values per 100 g if they’re available for both varieties.
Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the specific loaf before serving it. For example, the half loaf described by PLUS lists several gluten-containing grains and sesame; don’t rely on the bread’s name alone or on an old product page.
Check availability at your local store or in your delivery area before counting on it. Albert Heijn marks the half Bauern-grove-volkoren variety described as no longer available; if you choose an alternative, check its current packaging before making your choice.
