If you’re looking for everyday bread for a savoury breakfast, start with wholemeal or brown bread and check whether it’s pre-sliced. Then check the pack for slice thickness, ingredients, fibre, salt and allergens. Labels such as ‘fine’ and ‘sliced’ don’t automatically mean the slices are medium thickness.
If you often eat bread with toppings such as egg, cheese, hummus or vegetables, you’ll want a slice that suits what you’re putting on it. The Voedingscentrum lists wholemeal and brown bread as breakfast options.
You want to be able to distinguish wholemeal bread from other types and compare fibre, salt, ingredients and allergens on the packaging. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is particularly high in fibre.
You don’t want to slice it yourself and are looking for slices that are easy to top. Shops use different descriptions, such as ‘fine’ and ‘sliced’, so check the slices of the specific loaf.
Choose the type of bread first, then check the slice and buy an amount that suits how much you use at home.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare the fibre per 100 g; ‘multigrain’ isn’t a substitute for checking. | If I eat bread every morning, I want to know what type I’m buying and how much fibre it contains. For around 42% of consumers, wholemeal bread and fibre are the top priorities. |
| Slice and ease of spreading | Check whether the bread is sliced and look at the slice on the packaging or product photo; ‘fine’ doesn’t indicate a set medium thickness. | With savoury toppings, I want a slice that’s easy to spread and take with me. For around 33% of consumers, this practical slice format is the main consideration. |
| Quantity and storage | Choose a whole or half loaf based on how much you use, and follow the storage or freezing advice on the packaging. | If I don’t eat the same amount of bread every day, I want to avoid a large loaf going uneaten. For around 25% of consumers, matching what they buy to how much they use matters most. |
According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean that the bread is wholemeal. So the name alone won’t tell you whether it’s the right choice if you’re looking for wholemeal bread.
Check for the ‘wholemeal’ label separately and read the ingredients list.
‘Whole’ may refer to the size of the loaf, while ‘fine’ doesn’t mean the same slice thickness at every shop. ‘Sliced’ on its own doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are either.
Check the packaging or ask the shop how the bread is sliced if thickness is important for your toppings.
Your toppings also affect what’s in your breakfast. The Voedingscentrum points out that savoury toppings can sometimes be high in salt, saturated fat or sugar.
For packaged toppings, compare the nutritional information and choose your bread and toppings together based on what matters to you.
A whole loaf may not be the best choice if you won’t eat it in time. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread is among the foods that people in the Netherlands often waste.
Consider buying half a loaf or check the freezing advice for the specific product before stocking up.
Albert Heijn offers its own wholemeal bread, as well as sliced varieties.
Jumbo’s online range includes Fijn Volkoren and a half-loaf option.
Lidl describes Knip volkoren as a sliced 800 g loaf.
ALDI states that its Fijn Volkoren bread is sliced.
PLUS offers Rond fijn volkoren as both a whole and half loaf.
Dirk lists various types of bread, including wholemeal and sourdough.
This rye bread is an option to consider if you’re looking for bread for a savoury breakfast. Before buying, check that the slices are the thickness you want.
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A rye bread to consider for a savoury breakfast; check whether the slices suit your toppings.
Check the latest packaging for slice thickness, ingredients, allergens and whether iodised salt is listed, if that’s important to you.
Wholemeal or brown bread is an option the Voedingscentrum lists for breakfast. Also choose slices that suit your toppings and compare the ingredients, fibre, salt and allergens on the packaging.
No, ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean that bread is wholemeal. If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread, check for the ‘wholemeal’ label separately.
Follow the advice for the specific loaf. For example, Albert Heijn says that AH Volkoren heel can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. Don’t assume the same instructions apply to other products.
The packaging gives you the product information for the bread you’re actually buying. Albert Heijn says that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, so check the label again—especially if an ingredient or allergen matters to you.
