Who is this choice relevant to?

Everyday wholemeal buyers

You’re looking for sliced bread for breakfast and lunch, and want the grain base to matter more than a fancy name on the packaging.

Fans of a more interesting lunch

You like choosing bread for its flavour, crumb or crust. With sourdough or artisan-style loaves, you’ll also want to check that the slice thickness works with your toppings.

Nutrition information comparers

You check the bread type and nutrition information, for example to compare the fibre content per 100 g of wholemeal loaves.

What should you look for when choosing?

When choosing everyday sliced bread, start with what matters most to you: the grain base, flavour and texture, a practical slice thickness, or being able to buy it at your usual shop. Then check the specific loaf on the packaging or in store.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important to?
Wholemeal base and fibre Look for the wholemeal label; if you wish, compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutrition information. If I choose everyday bread for its grain base, I don’t want to rely on a dark colour or the word multigrain. Around 33% of consumers would say wholemeal and fibre are their main considerations.
Flavour, crust and crumb Check the bread type and product description; if it matters to you, separately check whether the chosen loaf is wholemeal. For a sandwich lunch, I mainly look for bread whose flavour and texture I enjoy. An estimated 27% of consumers would put flavour and texture first.
Slice thickness and ease of adding toppings Check whether the bread is sliced and what slice thickness is available; if buying unpackaged bread, ask about the thickness if needed. I want my sandwiches to be easy to top and take with me, so slice thickness is the deciding factor for me. Around 20% of consumers would put ease of adding toppings first.
Availability Check whether the variety you want is available at your local branch or in your delivery area. I want to be able to pick up my usual bread on my regular shopping trip. For around 20% of consumers, availability would be the main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing multigrain, dark and sourdough with wholemeal

    These terms don’t, on their own, tell you whether the bread has a wholemeal base.

    If wholemeal is your starting point, first look for an explicit wholemeal label on the bread, then choose based on flavour, seeds or crust.

  • Assuming ‘medium-sliced’ means the same thing everywhere

    A description such as ‘fine’ or ‘sliced’ doesn’t automatically tell you whether the slices are the thickness you’re looking for.

    Check the packaging or ask the bakery counter what slice thickness is available for that particular loaf.

  • Assuming every loaf contains iodised salt

    According to the RIVM, not all bread is made with iodised salt. The type of bread alone won’t tell you which salt has been used.

    Check the ingredients for the specific loaf if the type of salt used is relevant to your choice.

  • Choosing a loaf without checking what’s available locally

    A bread range shown on a product range page may not be available at your chosen branch or in your delivery area.

    Check that your preferred variety and slice thickness are available at your chosen shop or in your delivery area.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Offers sliced bread varieties and the OerDesem range for those who also choose bread for its flavour and texture.

  • Albert Heijn describes its OerDesem bread as having a full flavour, moist crumb and crisp crust.
  • Check the slice thickness and availability of your chosen variety in your delivery area or local branch.

PLUS

Offers both standard wholemeal bread and Korenlanders sourdough loaves.

  • You can compare the wholemeal label with a sourdough range.
  • Check whether each loaf is sold sliced and what slice thickness is available.

ALDI

The bread range includes options such as fine wholemeal and extra high-fibre wholemeal bread.

  • These wholemeal varieties give you a starting point for comparing bread types and nutrition information.
  • Fine wholemeal doesn’t tell you how thick a particular loaf is sliced.

Lidl

Provides information about fibre, ingredients and allergens in its freshly baked bread.

  • Fibre information can help you compare nutritional values per 100 g.
  • Check the details for the specific loaf; a fibre claim doesn’t tell you how thickly it’s sliced.

Dirk

Offers wholemeal, multigrain and sourdough loaves, among other options.

  • The different bread types give you a range of options for choosing a grain base and flavour.
  • Check whether a particular loaf is sliced and whether the slice thickness suits the way you’ll use it.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. The name multigrain doesn’t automatically mean that a loaf is wholemeal. If the grain base is the deciding factor for you, look for the wholemeal label on the specific loaf.

Does all Dutch bread contain iodised salt?

No. According to the RIVM, not all bread is made with iodised salt. Check the ingredients for the loaf if you want to know which type of salt it contains.

How can I check the allergens in freshly baked bread?

Check the allergen information for the specific loaf before buying. Lidl publishes this information for its freshly baked range; at another shop, you can check the product information or ask in store.

How can I avoid having more everyday bread left over than necessary?

Choose an amount that suits what you usually use and follow the storage instructions for your chosen bread. The Voedingscentrum lists bread as a product that is often wasted.