Student setting up a one-person household
You want to choose a pack you’ll actually use up. Retailers including Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS stock different pack sizes, so check the net weight before you choose.
Who is this relevant to?
Student comparing ingredients
You’re looking for rye bread for lunch and want to know which grains it contains and how much fibre it provides. PLUS product information shows that Frisian rye bread and a wheat-and-rye variety can differ in these respects.
Shopper with questions about gluten or baker’s salt
You’re checking the ingredients because rye contains gluten, or because you want to know whether baker’s salt has been used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory, so the information on the specific product’s label is what matters.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with how much you’ll use at home. Then check the ingredients, nutritional information and instructions for storing the opened pack.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Amount per pack | Compare the net weight and, if stated, the number of slices. | When doing my first shop, I want to know how much rye bread I’ll have at home, so the pack suits my needs. For around 39% of consumers, the amount per pack is the top priority. |
| Fibre and grains | Compare the fibre per 100 g and the ingredients in different products. | I want to choose between wholegrain rye bread and a wheat-and-rye variety for lunch, based on their ingredients. Around 23% of consumers prioritise these ingredients. |
| Ingredients on the label | Check whether rye and wheat, baker’s salt and, if relevant to you, salt per 100 g are listed. | I want to know which grains the bread contains and whether baker’s salt has been used. For around 23% of consumers, this label information matters most. |
| Storage after opening | Read the storage instructions and check the date on the pack. | If I don’t eat rye bread often, I want to know how to store an opened pack and whether I’ll use it up in time. Around 15% of consumers prioritise storage after opening. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all packs are the same size
Jumbo and PLUS stock rye bread in packs of 400 g and 500 g, among other sizes. Buying the same number of packs won’t necessarily give you the same amount of bread.
Check the net weight and choose a pack size that matches how much you usually use.
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Assuming all rye bread is made entirely from wholegrain rye
For its Brood van Soma Oberländer wheat-and-rye bread, PLUS lists wheat flour as the first ingredient. The product name alone doesn’t tell you exactly what a particular variety contains.
Read the ingredients in order and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information.
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Assuming you can tell whether bread contains gluten or baker’s salt from its name
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, rye contains gluten and bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. The name ‘rye bread’ doesn’t tell you everything you need to know.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the product you’ve chosen, and see whether baker’s salt is listed on the label.
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Relying on a limited-time offer as a regular option
ALDI labelled one rye bread product as ‘while stocks last’. If your shopping plans depend on an offer like this, the product may no longer be available on your next visit.
Check what’s available at your store before you go, and be prepared to choose a different pack size.
Finding an alternative could mean an extra trip to the shops.
Brands and retailers to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s online rye bread selection includes AH Fries rye bread, AH Oberländer and products from Van Dijk, Bolletje and Soma.
- Different types of rye bread are listed together, making it easy to compare product names and pack sizes.
- Check the details for each individual product before drawing conclusions about its ingredients or storage instructions.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists its own Oberländer and Mehrkorn wheat-and-rye bread varieties in 500 g packs.
- You can compare pack weights and product types within the same retailer.
- Jumbo says a Bolletje variety listed previously is no longer part of its online range, so check whether the product you’re looking for is available.
PLUS
PLUS stocks products including Bolletje Frisian rye bread and Brood van Soma Oberländer wheat-and-rye bread.
- Individual product information includes ingredients, nutritional values and storage advice to help you tell the varieties apart.
- Use the information for the variety you’ve chosen; the ingredients in Frisian rye bread won’t necessarily be the same as those in Oberländer.
Dirk
Dirk’s rye bread range includes products from Van Dijk, Soma and Bolletje.
- You can browse different brands and types of rye bread.
- Check the pack weight and ingredients for each product; the brand name alone doesn’t tell you enough.
ALDI
ALDI listed FINEST BAKERY Roggebrood in a 500 g pack as a ‘while stocks last’ product.
- The listing gives a specific pack weight.
- A ‘while stocks last’ listing doesn’t mean the product will still be available on your next visit.
Rye bread on Joybuy
These two rye breads have different pack descriptions for you to compare with how much you use. Check the label on both, and pay particular attention to the product’s shape when it comes to the Bolletje product.
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TastyBasics rye bread, 9 pieces
A good option if you want to choose a pack size that suits how much you use. The product title says 9 pieces; check the ingredients and storage instructions for an opened pack on the packaging.
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Bolletje rye bread bun, 500 g
A good option if you want a 500 g pack that suits how much you use. The title says ‘bun’, while the description refers to sliced rye bread, so check the product’s shape before choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What pack size should I choose if I live alone?
Choose an amount you can use up after opening, following the storage instructions. Compare the net weight of the packs and check the label on the product you’re buying to see how to store it.
Does rye bread contain gluten?
Yes. Rye contains gluten, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Check the ingredients for the specific rye bread you’re buying, as some varieties also contain wheat.
Does every rye bread label list baker’s salt?
No, not all rye bread is made with baker’s salt. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, its use isn’t compulsory; check the label to see whether it has been used in your product.
How should I store Frisian rye bread after opening?
Follow the instructions on the packaging for your product. PLUS says that Bolletje Frisian rye bread has a limited shelf life after opening and should be kept sealed in the fridge; don’t assume the same instructions apply to other varieties.
Do all types of dark rye bread contain the same amount of fibre?
No, fibre content can vary from one product to another. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives a figure of 3,7 g of fibre per 45 g slice of dark rye bread; compare the nutritional information per 100 g on the packs to help you choose.