Quick lunch-makers
You want bread that’s ready to top and take with you, without having to slice it yourself. Check the packaging or shelf label to see whether the loaf is sliced or medium-sliced.
For a quick lunch, choose white bread that you can check is sliced or medium-sliced, with slices that suit your filling. A half loaf is a better fit if you eat bread occasionally. If you eat white bread regularly, compare the fibre, salt, ingredients and allergens on the current label. Don’t assume every white loaf contains iodised salt.
You want bread that’s ready to top and take with you, without having to slice it yourself. Check the packaging or shelf label to see whether the loaf is sliced or medium-sliced.
If you don’t get through many slices, a half loaf may suit your needs better. If you want to store bread, follow the freezing instructions for that specific product.
You want to compare white loaves by fibre, salt and ingredients, or check which allergens and type of salt are listed on the label. Check this information for each loaf, rather than relying on the bread category alone.
Start with the slice that will work best with your filling. Then compare the size and nutritional information of the loaves that fit the bill.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice and ease of topping | Check whether the loaf is sliced or medium-sliced, and whether the slices suit your filling. | When I’m making lunch in a hurry, I don’t want to have to slice the bread myself. This convenience is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Type of bread and texture | Check the type of bread and the product description; the name or photo won’t confirm the slice thickness. | When I’m adding generous toppings, I want to choose a bread texture I enjoy eating and topping. Around 29% of consumers put this choice first. |
| Half or whole loaf | Choose a size that suits how much you eat, and read the storage instructions if you want to freeze portions. | When I’m only making a few lunches with bread, I don’t want to be left with lots of unused slices. This is the main priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and read the ingredients and allergen information, including details about iodised salt. | If I eat white bread regularly or need to check the ingredients, I want to know what’s in this particular loaf. Label information is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Fibre content can vary between products. A label such as white bread doesn’t tell you how much fibre or salt a particular variety contains.
Compare the current nutritional information per 100 g for the loaves you’re choosing between.
According to the RIVM, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, but not all bread is made with it.
If this information matters to your choice, check the ingredients for iodised salt or baker’s salt. For unpackaged bread, ask for the product information.
If you’re only making a few lunches with bread, you may be left with part of a whole loaf.
Consider a half loaf, or follow the product-specific instructions for freezing portions.
A photo or a general category such as white bread doesn’t confirm that the slices are medium-sliced.
Look for this information on the packaging or shelf label, or ask before you buy the loaf.
These supermarkets list a range of white breads. Check the size, slice and current label information for the specific product.
Albert Heijn lists a range of products online, including a whole white artisan loaf and a half tiger loaf.
Jumbo’s online white bread category includes different types of bread.
PLUS’s online white bread category includes casino bread, round white bread and farmhouse white bread, with some available in half sizes.
ALDI lists white bread in half and whole sizes in its fresh bread range.
Dirk’s online bread category includes Bakker van der Akker half white casino bread.
No, don’t assume that it does. The RIVM describes bread made with iodised baker’s salt as an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, but bread made without it is also available. If this matters to your choice, check the ingredients for the specific loaf.
Read the allergen and ingredients information for the specific loaf. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that allergens must be clearly listed on the label, so don’t rely on the name white bread alone. For unpackaged bread, ask for the allergen information.
Follow the storage instructions for the bread you buy. Albert Heijn says that AH whole white artisan bread can be frozen at home on the day of purchase. Don’t assume the same advice applies to another loaf.
No, white bread with extra fibre and wholemeal bread are different types of product. Compare the stated fibre content per 100 g and the ingredients of the products currently available. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as often as possible.