Choose half a wholemeal loaf if you’re having lunch with a small group and are unlikely to get through a whole loaf. Then compare the ingredients, allergens, fibre and salt per 100 g on the packaging. The type of bread you prefer and whether it’s available around Easter Sunday are also worth considering.
If you’re putting on an Easter lunch for a small group, half a loaf can help you get the quantity right alongside the rest of the menu. Whether you have any bread left over depends on the number of people eating and the other dishes you serve.
If you want to compare loaves by ingredients, allergens, fibre and salt, check the information for the specific variety you’re considering. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; other nutritional values can vary from loaf to loaf.
If you’re buying bread shortly before Easter Sunday, your local store’s opening hours and stock are what matter most. According to the Dutch government, Sunday opening varies by municipality.
First, work out how much bread you’ll need alongside the other lunch dishes. Then compare the label and style of bread, and check where and when you can buy the variety you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity of bread | Check that you’re buying half a loaf, then match the quantity to the number of people eating and the other dishes. | When I’m making lunch for a small group, I don’t want to buy more bread than I expect to use; around 36% of consumers prioritise choosing a suitable quantity. |
| Label and nutritional information | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g. Also check the ingredients and allergens, including whether the label mentions iodised salt or baker’s salt. | I want to know what’s in the loaf I choose and compare the nutritional information between varieties; around 27% of consumers prioritise checking the label. |
| Style of bread | Check whether the shape, crust and any seeds or grains suit what you want to serve. | When the bread is served at the table, I care about its crust and appearance for this lunch; for around 19% of consumers, the style of bread is the deciding factor. |
| Availability | Check your local store’s opening hours and stock, and whether the variety needs to be bought in store. | If I can only shop around Easter Sunday, I want to know whether my store is open and has the bread in stock; around 18% of consumers prioritise local availability. |
According to the RIVM, not all bread is made with iodised salt. The type of bread alone won’t tell you which salt is used in the variety you choose.
Read the ingredients list on the packaging. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for AH Rond volkoren half, while Jumbo lists baker’s salt for Fijn Volkoren - Half. Don’t assume the same applies to other loaves.
Lidl describes its Halfje extra volkorenbrood as ‘reduced in salt’. On its own, this claim doesn’t show how the fibre, salt and ingredients in different loaves compare per 100 g.
Compare the nutritional information on the same basis, and check the ingredients and allergens for the variety you’re buying.
According to the Dutch government, Sunday opening varies by municipality. Lidl also says that its Halfje extra volkorenbrood is sold in store.
Check your local store’s current opening hours and stock before planning your Easter lunch around a particular purchase.
You may still have some bread left over, even with half a loaf, if fewer people turn up or there are lots of other dishes on the table.
When choosing, consider how you could store any leftovers. PLUS says that Boeren volkoren half can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within one month.
These brands offer a range of half wholemeal loaves to compare. Check the packaging for details of the specific variety.
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Rond volkoren half and Onze trots Vloerbrood volkoren half.
Jumbo lists products including Fijn Volkoren - Half and Rond Fijn Volkoren - Half.
Lidl lists Halfje extra volkorenbrood, a 400 g pack with the product claim ‘reduced in salt’.
ALDI lists Boeren volkoren meergranen Half and Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood half.
PLUS lists products including Boeren volkoren half and Volkoren tijger half.
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren half as a half-loaf option.
Not always. It depends on the number of people eating and the other dishes. Decide in advance how much bread you want to serve and what you’ll do with any leftovers; PLUS says that Boeren volkoren half can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within one month.
Look for the word ‘volkoren’ on the bread you’ve chosen. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; check the current product name and packaging when you buy it.
No, don’t assume that every loaf does. The RIVM says that not all bread is made with iodised salt. So check the ingredients list for the variety you’re buying to see what type of salt it contains.
It depends on the shop and location. According to the Dutch government, Sunday opening varies by municipality, so check your local store’s current opening hours and stock before planning your shopping.
