If you plan portions for the week
If you want to stock up on rye bread for several meals, compare the number of slices with how much you usually eat. Also check how long and in what way you can store the pack once it’s opened.
Who are these choices relevant to?
If you compare grains and fibre
If you want to know what’s in the bread, read the ingredients list and compare the stated fibre per 100 g. The colour and product name don’t tell you which grains, or what quantities, have been used.
If you check salt types and allergens
Do you choose bread with iodine-containing foods in mind, or do you need to avoid certain grains? Check whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed, and read the allergen information for the exact product.
What should you look for when choosing?
Before stocking up for the week, first work out how much bread you’ll actually use and how it needs to be stored once opened. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information on the packs that fit your needs.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Slices and portions | Check the net weight and number of slices. Don’t use the serving weight as a measure of slice thickness. | If I’m buying bread for several lunches, I want to know in advance how many slices are in the pack. Around 36% of consumers prioritise planning portions. |
| Storage after opening | Read the instructions for an opened pack and choose a pack size that suits how much you use. | If I don’t eat it regularly, I want to avoid leaving an opened pack unused. For around 29% of consumers, storage after opening is the biggest consideration. |
| Grains and fibre | Compare the ingredients and the stated fibre per 100 g. | I want to be able to choose between recipes with different grains, rather than judging by colour. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Salt and allergens | Check the type of salt in the ingredients list, the salt per 100 g and the allergen information. | If I need to look out for iodised salt or certain grains, the label determines which pack is suitable. Around 14% of consumers prioritise checking these ingredients. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming the name or colour tells you everything about the ingredients
Rye bread can contain wheat as well as rye. For example, the Bolletje Light Wholemeal Rye Bread described by Jumbo lists both wholemeal cracked rye and wholemeal wheat flour in its ingredients.
Check which grains have been used and compare fibre on a like-for-like basis: per 100 g.
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Looking only at the shelf life of an unopened pack
Storage instructions may change once the pack is opened. The organic Smaakt rye bread described by PLUS, for example, should be kept in the fridge at 4–7 °C after opening.
Choose an amount that suits how much you use and follow the instructions on the current packaging.
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Assuming organic rye bread contains iodised salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers don’t always use baker’s salt. Seeing sea salt in an ingredients list doesn’t confirm that iodised salt has been used.
If the type of salt matters to you, look specifically for iodised salt or baker’s salt on the label.
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Assuming rye bread is automatically gluten-free
Rye bread can contain several grains that contain gluten. For example, the wholemeal rye bread from Soma described by PLUS lists rye and wheat.
If you have a relevant allergy or need a gluten-free option, always check the allergen information and any specific dietary claims on the exact product.
Brands compared
Bolletje
The Light Wholemeal Rye Bread described by Jumbo is a sliced rye and wheat variety, with 9 pieces in a 500 g pack.
- The product information states 11 g of fibre per 100 g and clearly gives the number of pieces.
- The ingredients also include wholemeal wheat flour; follow the storage instructions after opening.
Soma
The wholemeal rye bread from Soma described by PLUS comes in a 400 g pack.
- The ingredients list includes 25% wholemeal rye flour, 21% cracked rye and iodised salt.
- The product also contains wheat. Check the number of slices separately if you’re planning portions for the week.
Smaakt
The organic rye bread from Smaakt described by PLUS contains linseed and states 11 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The ingredients list includes 53% wholemeal cracked rye and 5% linseed.
- The ingredients list includes sea salt; check the type of salt if iodised salt is important to your choice. After opening, keep it in the fridge at 4–7 °C.
Rye bread at Joybuy
This product is worth considering if you check the pack contents of rye bread when doing your weekly shop. Check the current packaging for your preferred slice size and storage instructions after opening.
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TastyBasics rye bread, 9 pieces
A pack to factor into your weekly meal planning; the product name states 9 pieces. Check the packaging for the number and size of the slices, storage instructions after opening, and the ingredients and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check whether the rye bread has the slice size I’m looking for?
Check the number of slices and look at the packaging or product photo; the weight per serving alone doesn’t confirm slice thickness. The Bolletje product described by Jumbo contains 9 pieces per 500 g, but even that doesn’t tell you exactly how thick each slice is.
How should I store rye bread once it’s opened?
Follow the instructions for the exact product, as these can vary between packs. PLUS states that its organic Smaakt rye bread should be kept in the fridge at 4–7 °C after opening; choose an amount that suits how often you eat rye bread.
Does all rye bread contain iodised salt?
No, don’t assume that it does. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers don’t always use baker’s salt; check the product’s ingredients list to see whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed.
Is organic rye bread automatically a source of iodine?
No, the organic label doesn’t confirm that iodised salt has been used. The Voedingscentrum points out that organic bread made without baker’s salt may contain little iodine, so check the type of salt on the label rather than relying on the organic label.