Families with several people at breakfast
They want to have enough sliced wholemeal bread for the weekend. A whole loaf is a good fit if enough slices will be eaten or some can be frozen.
Who is this choice for?
Small households looking to store bread
They expect to need fewer slices. A half loaf may better suit their needs; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, you can also freeze bread, while storing it in the fridge makes it go stale.
Shoppers comparing labels
As well as checking that the bread is labelled wholemeal, they want to compare fibre, salt, ingredients and allergens. The information for the bread you choose is key.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking that it is labelled wholemeal, then work out how many slices you need. Finally, check the cut and the label of the bread you want to buy.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for an explicit wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g in the loaves you are considering. | When I’m looking for wholemeal bread for breakfast, I don’t want to judge by colour alone; around 33% of shoppers give top priority to the wholemeal label and fibre information. |
| Quantity and storage | Choose a whole or half loaf to suit the number of people having breakfast. If freezing it, check the product’s storage instructions. | I don’t want to be left with more bread than I can use after the weekend; quantity and storage matter most to around 27% of shoppers. |
| Cut | Check that the bread is actually medium-sliced and that the slice suits the toppings you plan to use. | I want a slice that works well for sandwiches, which is why around 20% of shoppers put the cut first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, and compare the salt per 100 g. Check the ingredients list if you want to know whether iodised salt has been used. | If I need to watch out for specific ingredients or allergens, I want to be able to assess the bread I choose; for around 20% of shoppers, checking the label comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark or multigrain bread is automatically wholemeal
The colour or a name mentioning several types of grain doesn’t, on its own, mean that a loaf is wholemeal.
First look for an explicit wholemeal label, then check the ingredients and nutritional information.
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Buying a whole loaf without a plan for the leftovers
If only a few people are having breakfast, you may have slices left over. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against storing bread in the fridge, as it dries out there.
Choose a half loaf if that better suits your needs, or freeze portions of a sliced loaf according to the product instructions.
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Treating medium-sliced as a quality mark
The label helps you choose a cut, but it says nothing about whether the bread is wholemeal or its nutritional value.
Check both the wholemeal label and the actual slice at the point of sale.
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Assuming all bread contains iodised salt
According to the Dutch Bakery Centre, using iodine-enriched baker’s salt is not a legal requirement in the Netherlands.
Check the ingredients list for the specific loaf if the type of salt used is important to your choice.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s product information can help you compare sliced wholemeal options.
- For AH Liefde & Passie Spelt volkoren gesneden, Albert Heijn lists nutritional values, allergens and advice on freezing.
- This information applies to this specific loaf; check the cut and label again for any other variety.
PLUS
PLUS’s online range gives you options for comparing whole and half wholemeal loaves.
- PLUS features wholemeal options in a range of loaf sizes.
- Check whether the loaf you choose is medium-sliced.
Dirk
Dirk’s bread page is useful for browsing wholemeal options in whole and half loaves.
- The range includes wholemeal products in more than one loaf size.
- For information on the cut and nutritional values, read the details for the individual product.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands publishes ingredients and allergen information for its freshly baked bread range.
- According to Lidl Netherlands, its wholemeal range also includes bread made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
- For a specific loaf, check whether it is sliced and which ingredients and allergens apply.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products will be available here soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is wholemeal bread a good choice for a weekend breakfast?
Wholemeal bread can be part of a weekend breakfast. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as a type of bread that contains fibre, vitamins and minerals. When choosing between loaves, also consider how much you need and the nutritional information for each product.
How should I store wholemeal bread after the weekend?
It’s best to freeze any slices you want to eat later, following the bread’s instructions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage guide recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 4 days, or in the freezer for 1 to 3 months; bread dries out faster in the fridge. Do not eat mouldy bread.
Is iodised baker’s salt required in all bread in the Netherlands?
No. According to the Dutch Bakery Centre, using iodine-enriched baker’s salt is not a legal requirement. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that adding iodine compounds to bread via baker’s salt is permitted, up to a maximum of 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. Check the ingredients list to see what has been used in a specific loaf.
Should I check the allergens in wholemeal bread?
Yes, if allergens are important to your choice: the wholemeal label does not mean the bread is gluten-free. Read the current allergen information for the specific loaf, as ingredients can vary between products.