Choose wholemeal bread if the grain base and fibre content matter more to you than the light crumb of white bread. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, while white bread is made from refined flour. Then choose between baguette to slice, rolls to bake at home and flatbread to tear apart. Check the allergens and nutritional information for the product you choose, too.
If you want to replace white bread on your sharing board, start by checking the wording on the packaging. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread labelled ‘wholemeal’ is made from 100% wholemeal flour. Then compare the fibre per 100 g in the products you’re considering.
Individual wholemeal rolls that need baking work well for a get-together when you can use the oven just before serving. Check the baking time and make sure there’s enough room in the oven alongside the other snacks.
If you’re shopping for guests, the allergen information for the exact bread matters more than the type of bread alone. Ask for this information when buying unpackaged bread; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that sellers must inform consumers about any allergens present.
First decide whether you want to stick with white bread or find a clearly labelled wholemeal option. Then choose a shape that works for slicing, dipping or serving individually, and check the information for the specific product.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and compare fibre per 100 g on the same basis. | If I want to replace white bread, I want to be sure the bread I choose is genuinely wholemeal. For around 36% of consumers, the grain base and fibre content come first. |
| Shape for a get-together | Choose baguette to slice, individual rolls to share, or flatbread to tear apart and dip. | For dips, I want to be able to share pieces of bread, while for toppings I’d rather slice it. Around 29% of consumers give the practicality of the bread’s shape top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the allergen information and compare salt per 100 g if that’s relevant to your choice. | When I buy bread for guests, I need to be able to check its ingredients and allergens. This product information matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Preparation and storage | Check the baking instructions and choose an amount that suits the number of people eating. | If I’m not sure how many people are coming, I want to be able to prepare or store the bread without ending up with lots left over. For around 14% of consumers, this is their first consideration. |
The colour and visible seeds don’t tell you whether bread is entirely wholemeal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes wholemeal bread from brown bread, which is made from a mixture of wholemeal flour and refined flour.
If wholemeal is a requirement for your purchase, look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging. Then compare the fibre per 100 g before choosing the shape you want.
A wholemeal baguette and wholemeal rolls may both seem suitable for sharing, but allergen information varies by product. The products from Albert Heijn and PLUS that were reviewed list cereals containing gluten.
Read the allergen information on the packaging you choose, including any warnings about possible traces. Ask for the available allergen information when buying unpackaged bread.
A whole baguette is easy to share, but smaller groups may leave some pieces uneaten. Individual rolls make it easier to get the quantity right.
Buy an amount that suits the number of people eating, and freeze any leftover bread promptly if the product information says it’s suitable. Throw away mouldy bread.
Ingredients and product information can change. Albert Heijn itself points out that a product’s information may differ from what was previously shown online.
Check the packaging again when you buy or receive the product, especially for allergens, ingredients, nutritional information and baking instructions.
These brands offer different types of bread to compare. Check the ingredients, nutritional information and preparation method for each product.
Albert Heijn offers wholemeal baguette that you can cut into pieces for a get-together.
Jumbo lists pita, baguette, focaccia and ciabatta among the types of bread for a sharing board.
Lidl is worth considering if you want to choose fresh-from-the-oven bread, including wholemeal options, in store.
ALDI offers various wholemeal breads, including a full loaf that you can slice yourself for a get-together.
PLUS offers both wholemeal baguette for sharing and wholemeal rolls that you can bake at home.
Dirk offers various types of wholemeal bread, including rolls, whole loaves and baguettes.
This wholemeal flatbread is an option if you mainly want to tear the bread apart and serve it with dips. If you’re looking for slices to add toppings to, or rolls to bake at home, choose a type of bread that suits those needs.
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This wholemeal flatbread is a good fit for a get-together where you want to tear the bread apart and serve it with dips.
The product name states that there are six pieces. If you’re serving guests, check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, while brown bread is made from a mixture of wholemeal flour and refined flour. If wholemeal is the deciding factor for you, look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging.
Choose baguette if you want to slice bread for toppings and dips, rolls if you want individual portions to bake at home, and flatbread if you mainly want to tear and dip. If you choose rolls that need baking, check that the preparation fits your schedule. PLUS lists a baking time of 6–8 minutes for its wholemeal Schnittbroodjes.
Check the allergen information for the exact product, and read any warnings about possible traces, too. If the bread is unpackaged, you can ask the seller for the allergen information. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says consumers must be informed about any allergens present.
Read the ingredients list for the bread you’re buying. For example, AH Liefde & Passie Volkoren stokbrood lists iodised salt, but that doesn’t tell you anything about the ingredients in another loaf.
Store or freeze the bread promptly, following the product’s instructions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. Throw away mouldy bread.
