Anyone organising a Mother’s Day breakfast
You’re looking for sliced wholemeal bread that’s easy to serve with a range of toppings, in a quantity that suits the number of people you’re feeding.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Anyone buying bread for everyday use too
You want to identify wholemeal bread by its product description rather than its colour alone, and compare the fibre content of specific loaves.
Anyone who needs to check ingredients or allergens
You need information about the specific loaf before buying. For unpackaged bread, this information may be provided differently from the way it is on a packaged loaf.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking that the bread is labelled wholemeal, then consider the slices, product information and quantity you need. To compare nutritional values, make sure they’re given on the same basis, for example per 100 g.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal description on the specific loaf. Only compare fibre values when they’re given for the same quantity. | When I buy bread for breakfast and the days afterwards, I want to be sure it’s wholemeal and compare its fibre content; around 36% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Slices and toppings | Check whether the bread is sliced and whether the slices suit the toppings you want to serve. | For sandwiches at a shared breakfast table, I want slices that are easy to serve; this focus on toppings and convenience matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the information for the bread you’ve chosen; if it’s unpackaged, ask for allergen information. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the bread before serving it. This is the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Quantity and storage | Choose a suitable loaf size, check the storage information and plan what to do with any leftover slices. | When I’m feeding a small group, I don’t want to be left with more bread than I can use or freeze; this matters most to around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming brown or seeded bread is wholemeal
A dark colour, seeds or the word ‘multigrain’ don’t confirm that bread is wholemeal.
Look for the wholemeal description on the bread you want to buy, then compare the nutritional information.
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Judging nutritional values by slice thickness
Medium-sliced describes how the bread is served, not how much fibre or salt it contains. Slice thickness doesn’t tell you which type of baker’s salt was used either.
Choose slices for convenience, and check the nutritional values and ingredients separately.
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Assuming which allergens are present from the type of bread
Ingredients vary from one product to another. With unpackaged bread, allergen information may not be shown on a bread bag.
Check the label on packaged bread, or ask the seller for information about the specific unpackaged loaf before buying.
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Buying a whole loaf without a plan for leftovers
After breakfast with a small group, you may have slices left over that you won’t use straight away.
Choose a loaf size that suits your group and freeze any leftover slices promptly.
Brands and shops to consider
With each of these shops, always compare the specific loaf: a wholemeal variety, slice thickness or ingredient in one product won’t necessarily apply to another.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has an online wholemeal bread category, with both whole and sliced loaves.
- The category makes it easier to browse the options before choosing a loaf.
- Albert Heijn says product information may change, so check the current packaging for ingredients, nutritional values and allergens.
Lidl
Lidl provides an overview of the ingredients and allergens in its fresh-from-the-oven bread range.
- The overview is a useful starting point if you’re considering freshly baked bread.
- Check the information for the specific loaf on the packaging, or ask in store.
ALDI
ALDI describes its freshly baked wholemeal bread and a sliced variety called Fijn Volkoren.
- The sliced variety is an option to consider alongside the medium-sliced bread you’re looking for.
- Claims about things like fibre or salt apply only to the product they appear on; assess each variety separately.
PLUS
PLUS has an online wholemeal bread category.
- You can browse product options before comparing their features.
- PLUS says that ingredients and allergen information, among other details, may change; check the latest product information and packaging.
Dirk
Dirk has an online search page where you can look for wholemeal bread.
- The search page is a useful starting point for finding a suitable loaf.
- Only compare ingredients, slices and nutritional values using the information for the specific loaf.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does medium-sliced tell you anything about the nutritional value of wholemeal bread?
No, slice thickness alone doesn’t determine how much fibre or salt a loaf contains. Check that the bread you choose is labelled wholemeal, and compare the nutritional values of specific loaves on the same basis, for example per 100 g.
Can you tell from wholemeal bread whether it contains iodine?
No, the wholemeal description doesn’t tell you which type of baker’s salt was used in a particular loaf. Check the ingredient information or ask the seller about that loaf if the type of salt used matters to you.
How do you check allergens in packaged and unpackaged bread?
For packaged bread, check the label; for unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information about the variety you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that this information is provided in a different way for unpackaged products.
What should you do with leftover wholemeal bread after Mother’s Day?
Freeze any slices you won’t use soon. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1 to 3 months in the freezer; also follow the storage information on the bread you’ve bought.