Diners who consciously choose wholemeal
You want the bread served with your Italian meal to be genuinely wholemeal, rather than simply dark or multigrain. So check the label and ingredients, not just how it looks.
Who are these options for?
Families with fussy eaters
You’re looking for a less coarse texture without ruling out wholemeal altogether. A product made with finely milled wholemeal flour may be worth considering; check the packaging to see exactly what kind of bread it is.
Smaller groups
If bread is a side dish, half a loaf or a smaller quantity may be a better fit for your dinner. You could also decide in advance how much you’d like to freeze for later.
What should you look for when choosing?
Wholemeal bread
Choose it when: A clearly wholemeal option is your priority.
Consider: A coarser texture may not suit diners who expect light, airy bread.
Fine wholemeal bread
Choose it when: Texture matters to fussy eaters.
Consider: The word ‘fine’ doesn’t tell you what the bread is made of, so check the ingredients too.
Brown or mixed bread
Choose it when: Your diners would prefer a different type of bread with their meal.
Consider: Brown, multigrain or bread made with a blend of white and wholemeal flour is not automatically entirely wholemeal.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Genuinely wholemeal | Check for the ‘wholemeal’ label and read the ingredients; colour and seeds don’t tell you for certain. | If I want to serve wholemeal bread, I don’t want to judge it by its dark crust. For around 33% of consumers, choosing wholemeal is the top priority. |
| Texture | Compare fine wholemeal with coarser varieties, and check the ingredients of both. | When fussy eaters leave coarse bread untouched, I look for a texture they’ll prefer. Around 27% of consumers put acceptance first. |
| Serving | Decide whether slices, rolls or a loaf to slice yourself would work best with your meal. | I want bread that’s easy to share at the table, without an awkward serving format. This is a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Quantity | Check whether a whole or half loaf is right for you, and whether you can freeze any portions you don’t use. | When there’s a small group, I don’t want to be left with more bread than we can eat. Buying the right amount is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking dark or multigrain bread for wholemeal
A dark colour, seeds on the crust or the word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you whether the bread is entirely wholemeal.
Check the product name and ingredients. Treat brown or mixed bread as a separate choice, not automatically as wholemeal bread.
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Assuming all bread contains baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t assume it has been used just from the type of bread.
Check the ingredients on packaged bread, or ask about it when buying loose bread.
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Buying more bread than you need
A whole loaf can leave you with plenty of leftovers after a small dinner.
See whether half a loaf or some rolls would suit the number of diners. Freeze any portions you don’t use if you’d like to eat them later.
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Overlooking allergens in unpackaged bread
With bread sold without packaging, you can’t refer to an ingredients list on the bag.
Before you buy, ask the bakery or bread counter for allergen information about the specific loaf.
Shops and brands to explore
Compare the bread shape and product label within each range before you buy.
Albert Heijn
Its online range includes several types of wholemeal bread, including round, tiger and floor-baked loaves.
- The range also includes half loaves, which can be handy for a smaller group.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the label of the loaf you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range includes fine, coarse and round wholemeal bread.
- The different shapes give you a chance to compare texture and portion size.
- Check the current packaging for the ingredients of each loaf.
Lidl
Lidl’s range includes wholemeal bread made with extra-finely milled flour.
- This range is worth considering if you’re looking for a less coarse texture.
- Lidl says its fresh bread range can vary between stores, so check the packaging in store.
ALDI
ALDI’s fresh daily range includes several wholemeal breads, such as fine wholemeal and tiger wholemeal.
- You can compare different bread shapes side by side.
- Claims about a particular loaf don’t automatically apply to the other breads in the range.
PLUS
PLUS’s range includes Boeren wholemeal loaf and round fine wholemeal bread.
- PLUS’s product information for Boeren wholemeal loaf lists the ingredients and baker’s salt.
- PLUS notes that product information can change, so check the current packaging.
Dirk
Alongside other types of bread, Dirk stocks wholemeal floor-baked and bâtard loaves.
- These shapes are worth considering if you’d like to slice and share a loaf at the table.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific loaf you buy.
Bread options at Joybuy
These two types of bread are designed for sharing with a meal. If entirely wholemeal bread is essential for you, check the current ingredients for each product individually.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
You can share the individual breads among your diners.
The product name states that there are six pieces. Check the current ingredients if you want to know whether all the flour used is wholemeal, and read the allergen information if it’s relevant to your choice.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
You can slice this round loaf to share at the table.
The product name states that it weighs 550 g. Allow time to defrost and bake before serving, and check the current ingredients if you’re looking for entirely wholemeal bread.
Frequently asked questions
Is brown or multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. Brown or multigrain bread can also contain white flour. If you want to buy wholemeal bread, check the label and ingredients. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority links the ‘wholemeal’ label to a grain ingredient made entirely from wholemeal flour.
Is bread made with both white and wholemeal flour the same as entirely wholemeal bread?
No, a blend isn’t automatically entirely wholemeal. It may be a deliberate choice for diners who prefer a different type of bread, but check the ingredients of that loaf rather than treating it as equivalent to wholemeal bread.
Does bread always contain baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients on packaged bread, or ask about it when buying loose bread if it matters to your choice.
How should I store bread left over after dinner?
Freeze any portions you won’t use soon. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 4 days, or in the freezer for 1 to 3 months.
Where can I find allergen information for unpackaged bread?
Ask the bakery or bread counter if the information isn’t displayed with the bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that sellers must also inform consumers about allergens in non-prepacked foods.