Lunch shoppers comparing ingredients
You want to know how much wholegrain rye a loaf contains, what other grains or additions it includes, and how its nutritional values compare per 100 g.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers choosing by flavour
You’re looking for rye bread that goes well with your lunch toppings and are deciding between a light variety and dark sourdough rye bread.
Shoppers who care about allergens or storage
You check for gluten-containing grains and any warnings about other allergens, or look for a pack size that suits how often you eat rye bread.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide what ingredients and flavour you’re looking for. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g, and always check the current packaging if you have allergies.
| What to consider | Check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain rye and ingredients | The percentage of wholegrain rye and which other grains or additions are listed in the ingredients. | If I’m mainly looking for wholegrain rye, I don’t let premium packaging outweigh the ingredients. An estimated 33% of consumers put composition first. |
| Fibre and salt | Fibre and salt per 100 g; use the weight of a slice to assess the nutritional values per portion. | I want to plan my lunch with fibre and salt in mind, even if I have several slices. For around 27% of consumers, nutritional value is the first consideration. |
| Flavour and texture | Whether you’d prefer a light variety, dark rye bread, or a loaf made with sourdough or seeds. | I look for a loaf whose flavour and texture I enjoy with my toppings. An estimated 20% of consumers give this priority. |
| Allergens | The current allergen declaration, including gluten-containing grains and any warnings about traces. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I start by checking the packaging. For around 13% of consumers, checking for allergens is the main concern. |
| Storage | The pack size, best-before date and storage instructions after opening. | I don’t eat rye bread every day, so I want to be able to finish the pack or freeze some of it. An estimated 7% of consumers consider storage the most important factor. |
Common mistakes
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Treating ‘premium’ as a reliable measure of nutritional value
Rye breads vary in their proportion of wholegrain rye, ingredients and nutritional values. A traditional product description doesn’t tell you how much fibre or salt the bread contains.
Compare the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g before choosing based on flavour or appearance.
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Reading only the front of the pack
Rye is a gluten-containing grain. Depending on the product, the label may also list other grains or warnings about possible traces of allergens.
If you have an allergy or need to avoid gluten, check the current ingredients and allergen declaration every time.
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Choosing a pack without a storage plan
A pack may be too large if you only eat rye bread occasionally.
Choose a pack size that suits how much you eat, follow the storage advice on the packaging and freeze some if needed.
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Assuming the salt is iodised
The type of salt used can vary between rye breads: Jumbo lists iodised salt in Brood van Soma, while Albert Heijn lists sea salt in Hollandia.
If the type of salt matters to you, check the ingredients list on the bread you buy.
Brands to consider
These examples refer to individual rye breads, not each brand’s full range.
Hollandia
The dark sourdough rye bread is an option if you’re looking for a full-flavoured rye variety.
- According to Albert Heijn, this product contains 100% wholegrain rye and sourdough.
- It contains rye and barley; Albert Heijn lists 0.97 g of salt per 100 g.
TastyBasics
The rye bread reviewed is a good choice if you want to compare the rye content and nutritional values.
- Albert Heijn lists 60% wholegrain cracked rye and 9.6 g of fibre per 100 g for this product.
- The label mentions gluten-containing grains and possible traces of nuts, milk and sesame.
Smaakt
The organic rye bread with linseed is worth considering if you’re specifically looking for a variety with seeds.
- Albert Heijn lists 53% wholegrain cracked rye, 5% linseed and 11 g of fibre per 100 g.
- It contains rye; check the current range and label before choosing this product.
Bolletje
The light wholegrain rye bread is an option if you’d prefer a lighter variety.
- Jumbo lists 41% wholegrain cracked rye, 7% wholemeal wheat flour and 11 g of fibre per 100 g.
- It contains rye and wheat; check availability and the packaging of the variety you buy.
Brood van Soma
The Limburg wholegrain rye bread is a sourdough variety to consider if you want to weigh up the ingredients.
- Jumbo lists wholegrain rye flour, sourdough, iodised salt and 5.3 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The product contains rye and wheat, may contain hazelnuts and lists preservatives.
Rye bread on Joybuy
Consider these two rye breads if you’re mainly comparing ingredients, pack size and allergens for your lunch. Check the packaging before basing your choice on nutritional values or a specific product format.
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TastyBasics rye bread, 9 pieces
An option if you’re looking for a pack of 9 pieces of rye bread. For your lunch, compare the rye content, nutritional information and allergens on the current packaging.
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Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g
An option if a 500 g pack suits how much rye bread you eat at lunch. Check the product format before buying: the title says ‘bun’, while the description refers to rye bread. Also check the ingredients and the basis on which the nutritional values are given.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘premium’ say anything about the nutritional value of rye bread?
No, the word ‘premium’ is no substitute for nutritional information. Compare the proportion of wholegrain rye, fibre and salt per 100 g, and check the ingredients on the specific pack.
Is rye bread gluten-free?
No, rye is a gluten-containing grain. If you have other allergies, check the full ingredients and allergen declaration for the product you’re buying too.
Does all rye bread contain iodised salt?
Don’t assume so. Jumbo lists iodised salt in Brood van Soma, while Albert Heijn lists sea salt in Hollandia, so check the ingredients list on the pack you choose.
How should I store dark rye bread after opening?
Always follow the instructions on the packaging first. For opened dark rye bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends two weeks in the fridge or one to three months in the freezer as a guide.