Who is this choice relevant to?

Breakfast lovers who put flavour first

You’re looking for a particular crust, crumb or sourdough flavour for a sandwich or toast. Compare the description of the specific loaf rather than assuming that every bread with a premium name tastes the same.

Households short on time in the morning

You want to know whether the bread is ready to eat or needs baking at home first. Portion size and storage instructions matter too if you don’t use a whole loaf every day.

Shoppers who read the label carefully

You want to compare ingredients, allergens, fibre and salt for each product. If the presence of iodised salt matters to you, check the ingredients list for the specific loaf.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide what kind of bread texture you’re looking for and how much preparation fits into your weekday morning. Then read the label of the variety you want to buy: the shape of the loaf and its premium name don’t tell you everything about its ingredients or nutritional value.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Flavour and texture Check the type of bread and the product description for details of the crust and crumb. Albert Heijn describes its Liefde & Passie OerDesem as bread made using a slow process; that description doesn’t apply to every sourdough loaf. I want my sandwich or toast to have a distinctive flavour or crust, even on a working day. For around 40% of consumers, flavour and texture are said to be the main reason for choosing.
Preparation and storage Check whether the bread is ready to eat or needs baking at home, and read the storage and freezing instructions on the packaging. I don’t have much time before leaving, or I only use part of the loaf each morning. For around 30% of consumers, convenience in the morning and storage are said to be the main considerations.
Label and nutritional information Read the ingredients, allergens, fibre and salt information; check separately whether iodised salt is listed. Compare nutritional values on the same basis, for example per 100 g. I want to know what’s in my everyday sandwich before choosing a variety. For around 30% of consumers, the label and nutritional information are said to be the top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a premium bread name means it’s wholemeal

    Sourdough, a hearth-baked shape or seeds on the crust don’t, in themselves, tell you how much fibre the bread contains. The Dutch Nutrition Centre points out that white bread contains fewer nutrients than wholemeal bread.

    Choose bread to suit the meal you have in mind. For your everyday bread, also compare the product name, ingredients and nutritional information with those of a wholemeal variety.

  • Assuming all white bread contains iodised salt

    The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the addition of iodine through bakers’ salt, but that doesn’t mean every individual loaf contains iodised salt. Albert Heijn does list it for its specific Liefde & Passie Biologisch wit product.

    For packaged bread, look for iodised salt or bakers’ salt in the ingredients list. For unwrapped bread, ask which ingredients have been used.

  • Assuming every shop stocks the same range

    Lidl says its fresh-from-the-oven bread range can vary by store. A specific white hearth loaf from PLUS may also not be available locally.

    Check what’s available at your shop or delivery location before planning breakfast around one particular loaf.

  • Buying more fresh bread than you’ll use

    According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, bread is among the products that are often wasted. This is especially worth considering if you only need a few slices for breakfast.

    The Dutch Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it. Check the product packaging first, though, as freezing instructions can vary from one loaf to another.

Brands to compare

These brands offer different types of white bread that you can compare by preparation, loaf shape and label. The features mentioned apply to the products or ranges described, not to every loaf from a brand.

Albert Heijn

Liefde & Passie and OerDesem are ranges to consider if you’re interested in sourdough and the crust and crumb described.

  • Albert Heijn describes its OerDesem as made using a slow process. Its Liefde & Passie Biologisch wit, for example, contains wheat flour, rye sourdough and iodised salt.
  • Check the instructions for the variety you choose: according to Albert Heijn, its organic white bread needs baking at home and isn’t suitable for home freezing.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers white tiger bread and white rolls, among other types of bread you can compare for a weekday breakfast.

  • Its product range gives you the chance to compare bread shapes and how much preparation they need.
  • The shape of a loaf doesn’t tell you about its ingredients or nutritional value; check the information for the product you choose.

Lidl

The fresh-from-the-oven range is worth considering if you want to browse freshly baked white rolls in store.

  • Lidl includes white crusty rolls and Kaiser rolls in its bread range.
  • According to Lidl, its fresh-from-the-oven range varies by store, so check what’s available at your local shop.

ALDI

ALDI offers plain white bread as well as varieties such as rustic white, tiger bread and hearth-baked loaves.

  • ALDI describes Bakkersgoud rustiek wit as a loaf with a golden-brown crust and a soft centre.
  • Compare the label and the range at your local shop; the description of one loaf doesn’t apply to every white variety.

PLUS

PLUS Beiers Vloerbrood wit heel is a specific white hearth loaf to assess for its ingredients, nutritional information and storage instructions.

  • The product information says this loaf can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
  • PLUS says this particular product may not be available locally; check the current label for allergens too.

Dirk

Bakker van der Akker Vloerbrood zonnepit is a white hearth loaf with sunflower seeds, which Dirk describes as suitable for breakfast or lunch.

  • The product description makes clear which loaf shape and addition you’re choosing with this variety.
  • Sunflower seeds don’t automatically make the bread wholemeal; assess the product’s ingredients and nutritional information separately.

White bread at Joybuy

This white baguette is an option if you’re looking for a baguette shape for breakfast. Before buying, check the packaging for preparation and storage instructions to make sure it fits into your morning routine.

G'woon rustic white baguette, 250 g

G'woon rustic white baguette, 250 g

A baguette-shaped loaf for anyone who enjoys white bread at breakfast. Check the packaging to see whether it needs baking at home and which storage instructions apply.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does premium white bread contain more fibre than ordinary white bread?

You can’t tell from a premium name, sourdough recipe or crisp crust. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the specific loaves; the Dutch Nutrition Centre says that white bread contains fewer nutrients than wholemeal bread.

Does all white bread contain iodised salt?

You can’t assume this is true of every loaf. For packaged bread, check whether iodised salt or bakers’ salt is listed in the ingredients. For unwrapped bread, ask which ingredients have been used.

Can I freeze white bread for weekday breakfasts?

It depends on the specific loaf. The Dutch Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it, but Albert Heijn says its Liefde & Passie Biologisch wit isn’t suitable for home freezing. So follow the instructions on the packaging of the bread you buy.

Is ordinary white wheat bread suitable for coeliac disease or a wheat allergy?

Ordinary white wheat bread isn’t suitable for people with a wheat allergy, and bread containing gluten isn’t suitable for people with coeliac disease. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product, even if it has a premium name.