People who buy wholemeal bread regularly
You want sliced bread for breakfast or lunch and compare the type of bread and nutritional information before choosing a slice thickness.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Households that don’t get through bread quickly
You buy bread with your weekly shop, but don’t always finish a whole loaf within a few days. In that case, the size and whether you can freeze portions are also worth considering.
People who need to follow a strict gluten-free diet
You need to avoid regular bread made with gluten-containing grains. The gluten-free label and information about ingredients and possible cross-contamination matter more to you than slice thickness.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, choose between regular bread and bread that meets your dietary requirements. Then compare the type of bread, slice thickness and quantity you can use or store.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Type of bread and fibre | Check that it is labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. | If I eat bread every day, I want to know what type I’m buying and how much fibre it contains. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Slice thickness and toppings | Check that your chosen variety is medium-sliced; sliced bread isn’t automatically cut to this thickness. | I want the slice thickness to suit the toppings I usually use. An estimated 29% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Quantity and storage | Choose a suitable size and check the storage advice on the packaging if you want to freeze the bread. | I don’t always finish a loaf within a few days, and I want to choose how much to use now. For around 21% of consumers, reducing waste matters most. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. If you follow a strict gluten-free diet, check for a gluten-free label and information about possible cross-contamination. | I need to be sure the bread meets my dietary requirements before slice thickness matters. For an estimated 14% of consumers, this is the first priority. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing based only on ‘medium-sliced’
Slice thickness doesn’t tell you whether bread is wholemeal or what ingredients, nutritional values and allergens it contains.
Use slice thickness as a practical way to narrow down your options, then check the type of bread and the current label too.
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Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal
The colour or name of a loaf is no substitute for a wholemeal label. You could end up buying a different type of bread from the one you intended.
Look for the wholemeal label and, if fibre matters to you, compare the amount per 100 g.
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Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan
For opened wholemeal bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing it in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days.
Choose a size you can use in time or freeze the bread in portions.
Bread that dries out or goes mouldy before you eat it contributes to food waste.
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Mistaking regular bread for a gluten-free option
A regular slice of bread containing wheat, rye or spelt isn’t suitable for a strict gluten-free diet. Cross-contamination may also be a concern for people with coeliac disease.
Choose a product clearly labelled gluten-free and check the ingredients and information about possible cross-contamination on the packaging.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s online range includes sliced wholemeal bread and whole wholemeal artisan loaves. This gives you the chance to compare types of bread and product information.
- The product pages reviewed include ingredients and nutritional information.
- Sliced doesn’t automatically mean medium-sliced; check the variety you choose and its current label.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s online bread range includes different types and sizes, including whole and half loaves.
- You can consider the type of bread and size separately.
- Check the product page to see whether the specific variety is available medium-sliced.
PLUS
PLUS’s online range includes different wholemeal breads and other types of bread.
- The range gives you options to compare different types of bread.
- Check the slice thickness, ingredients and allergens for your chosen product; details may vary between varieties.
Rye bread on Joybuy
This rye bread is worth considering if you’re looking for bread for everyday meals. Before buying, check that the slice thickness and packaging information meet your needs.
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TastyBasics rye bread, 9 pieces
For anyone looking for rye bread in a pack of nine pieces. Check the packaging to see whether it is medium-sliced, and read the ingredients and allergen information if these are important to your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is medium-sliced bread automatically wholemeal?
No. Medium-sliced describes the slice thickness, not the type of bread. Check the wholemeal label on the packaging and compare the nutritional information per 100 g if fibre is an important factor in your choice.
What should I check if I want to know whether bread contains baker’s salt?
Read the ingredients list for the specific bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that iodine is added to baker’s salt in the Netherlands, so don’t rely on the type of bread alone to judge a product’s ingredients.
Can I choose regular medium-sliced bread if I need to follow a strict gluten-free diet?
Not if the bread contains gluten-containing ingredients such as wheat or rye. Choose bread clearly labelled gluten-free and also check the ingredients and information about possible cross-contamination on the packaging.
How should I store opened wholemeal bread from my weekly shop?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days, or in the freezer for 1–3 months. If you won’t get through a whole loaf quickly, you can freeze it in portions and follow the storage advice on the packaging.