For a picnic with fussy eaters, light wholegrain rye bread is a sensible first choice: Jumbo describes Bolletje’s version, made with wholegrain rye and wholemeal wheat flour, as lighter in flavour and colour. If you’re looking for a more pronounced rye flavour, compare it with Frisian rye bread; PLUS says Bolletje’s version is made with 100% wholegrain rye. Whichever you choose, check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on the packaging you take with you.
If dark Frisian rye bread isn’t to everyone’s taste, try a lighter rye option. Jumbo describes Bolletje Light Wholegrain Rye Bread as lighter in flavour and colour, and lists both wholegrain rye and wholemeal wheat flour.
If the grains used matter to you, compare a version made with 100% wholegrain rye with a blend. To compare fibre content, check the nutritional information on each pack.
Check the number of slices or portions, and think about what you’ll do with an opened pack. Storage instructions can vary by product; Jumbo advises keeping Bolletje Frisian Rye Bread sealed in the fridge once opened.
Start with the flavour your group will enjoy, then compare the grains, nutritional information and packaging. A product name that includes ‘light’ doesn’t tell you how much wholegrain or fibre the bread contains.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and texture | Read the product description for details of flavour and colour; compare a lighter option with Frisian rye bread. | If dark rye bread is too strong for my group, I want to take a milder option. This flavour choice comes first for around 38% of consumers. |
| Wholegrain and fibre | Check which grains are listed in the ingredients and compare fibre per 100 g and, where stated, per portion. | I want to know whether I’m buying wholegrain rye or a blend, and how much fibre the product contains. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Portions and storage | Check the number of portions and the storage instructions for after opening. | If I’m only taking a few slices, I want to be able to store the rest as directed on the pack. Practical planning matters most to around 23% of consumers. |
| Grains and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the label; rye and wheat are gluten-containing grains. | If someone in my group needs to avoid gluten, I need to check before buying whether rye bread is suitable at all. This is the main consideration for around 8% of consumers. |
A lighter flavour or colour doesn’t automatically mean less fibre. Jumbo lists both wholegrain rye and wholemeal wheat flour in Bolletje Light Wholegrain Rye Bread.
Compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g on the label, rather than judging by colour alone.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, rye contains gluten; rye bread may also contain wheat. This means ordinary rye bread isn’t suitable for someone with coeliac disease.
Ask in advance whether any guests need to avoid gluten, and check the label of a suitable alternative.
Any portions left after the picnic should be stored according to the instructions for the product you’ve chosen. For Bolletje Frisian Rye Bread, Jumbo advises keeping it sealed in the fridge once opened.
Choose a pack size that suits the number of people eating, and check how to store leftovers before you set off.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the permitted use of iodised baker’s salt in bread and bakery products. This doesn’t mean that every rye bread is made with baker’s salt.
Check the label or ask the manufacturer for information about the bread you’ve chosen.
Bolletje makes a light wholegrain rye bread and a Frisian rye bread. Compare the two options individually rather than treating the brand name as a description of the flavour.
Jumbo and PLUS list rye and wheat bread from Brood van Soma, including 400 g versions.
Dirk lists Van Dijk's Frisian Rye Bread, 500 g, as an option to compare with other Frisian rye breads.
ALDI lists Finest Bakery Rye Bread, 500 g.
You can include these two rye breads in your picnic comparison. Check the packaging to make sure the grain composition, flavour and portions suit the people you’re buying for; the product names don’t indicate a lighter flavour.
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An option to consider if you want to count out portions in advance for your picnic: the product name specifies 9 pieces. Check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on the packaging.
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An option to compare by pack size: the product name specifies 500 g. For your picnic, check the number of portions, ingredients and instructions for after opening on the label.
No. ‘Light’ on its own doesn’t tell you whether rye bread is wholegrain. Jumbo describes Bolletje Light Wholegrain Rye Bread as lighter in flavour and colour, while also listing wholegrain rye and wholemeal wheat flour. For another product, check its own ingredients list.
Ordinary rye bread isn’t suitable for someone with coeliac disease because rye contains gluten, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Don’t assume a rye and wheat blend is suitable either; choose a separate gluten-free product and check its label.
Follow the instructions on the packaging of the product you’ve opened. Jumbo advises keeping Bolletje Frisian Rye Bread sealed in the fridge; as general advice for dark rye bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping it in the fridge for around two weeks after opening.
You can’t assume this is true of every rye bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bread and bakery products through the addition of baker’s salt. Check the label or ask the manufacturer about the product you’ve chosen.
