Start with the style of bread you’d like to serve with your Sunday roast: according to Van Dijk’s Roggebrood, Frisian rye bread is made mainly from cracked rye, while Brabant rye bread is made mainly from ground rye. If you’re looking for a specific wholegrain and sourdough composition, check the product you choose. Sourdough isn’t a substitute for checking the ingredients, salt and allergens.
If rye bread is part of a special savoury meal, you can choose between the Frisian style, made mainly from cracked rye, and the Brabant style, made mainly from ground rye, as described by Van Dijk’s Roggebrood.
If you want to know whether a product specifically contains wholegrain rye or sourdough, check the ingredients list for that particular variety. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, rather than relying on the front of the pack.
Rye contains gluten, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. If you have dietary restrictions, check the allergen information on the pack you choose. Compare the salt content too, and check the ingredients list for iodised salt if you need to know whether it’s included.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Bread style and presentation | According to Van Dijk’s Roggebrood, Frisian rye bread is made mainly from cracked rye, while Brabant rye bread is made mainly from ground rye. Also check the number of slices or pieces on the pack. | For a special savoury meal, I want to choose a bread style deliberately and know how I can serve it. Around 45% of consumers prioritise the style of bread they want. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the ingredients list and check for mentions of wholegrain rye and sourdough. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. | When I compare different rye breads, I want to be able to compare their composition rather than rely on the wording on the pack. Around 33% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Allergens, salt and iodine | Check the label for gluten and other allergens, compare the salt content, and read the ingredients list if iodised salt is relevant to you. | If I need to take dietary restrictions or a specific salt or iodine concern into account, the pack I choose needs to suit my needs. This is the most important check for around 22% of consumers. |
A description on the front of the pack doesn’t tell you how much wholegrain rye a product contains or how much salt it has. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises comparing products by checking the label.
Read the ingredients and compare the nutritional information per 100 g before making your choice based on the packaging.
Van Dijk’s Roggebrood describes a difference in the rye used for the Frisian and Brabant styles. Sourdough describes a different characteristic, so it doesn’t in itself replace a regional bread style.
Decide which characteristics you’re looking for, then check the ingredients and size of the specific product.
Rye is a gluten-containing grain, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. A wholegrain label doesn’t make ordinary rye bread suitable for a gluten-free diet.
If you need to follow a gluten-free diet, choose only a product clearly labelled gluten-free and read the allergen information on the pack.
Jumbo lists iodised salt in Soma Limburgs Volkoren Roggebrood. This doesn’t tell you anything about the ingredients in another rye bread.
If iodine is relevant to you, check the ingredients list on the pack you want to buy.
Bolletje offers products including Frisian rye bread; the composition mentioned here applies to this variety.
This brand describes the difference between Frisian rye bread, made mainly from cracked rye, and Brabant rye bread, made mainly from ground rye.
Hollandia Donker Zuurdesem is worth considering if you’re specifically looking for wholegrain rye and sourdough.
Soma offers different styles of rye bread; the product name alone doesn’t describe its full composition.
Compare these rye breads if you’re weighing up pack size and the style of bread you want for your Sunday meal. Check the current ingredients and allergen information for each product before choosing.
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An option if you want to plan how many pieces to serve with your meal; the product name specifies 9 pieces.
Check the pack for the ingredients, allergens and the size of the bread supplied.
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An option if you want to compare a 500 g pack for your meal.
Before serving, check the actual slice size: the product title mentions a bread roll, while the accompanying description refers to sliced rye bread. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack too.
No. Rye contains gluten, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. If you need to follow a gluten-free diet, choose only a product clearly labelled gluten-free and check the packaging.
Don’t assume it does. Jumbo lists iodised salt in Soma Limburgs Volkoren Roggebrood, but you’ll need to check the ingredients list of any other product.
Compare the ingredients and nutritional information of each product, not just their names. Use the values per 100 g as a basis for comparison, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, and also look at the bread style, allergens and slice size.
Follow the storage advice on the pack for your product. For Hollandia Donker Zuurdesem, Albert Heijn says the bread stays fresher for longer if it’s sealed and kept in the fridge after opening. Don’t automatically apply this product-specific advice to every rye bread.
