For a toastie or a generously filled hot sandwich, you could start with toastie bread; for a softer sandwich, fine-sliced bread is another option. The terms fine and coarse don’t tell you how thick the slices are, so check the packaging and, if possible, take a look at the bread itself. If you only need a few slices for one evening, consider a half loaf or freeze the rest in portions.
You’re looking for slices that work with hot fillings or a toastie, but don’t want to rely on the product name alone. Jumbo distinguishes between fine, coarse and toastie bread in its wholemeal range. Compare the slices with the way you plan to prepare them.
You want to use wholemeal bread and are also looking for a texture that suits your sandwich. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as a source of fibre; for precise nutritional values, compare the information on the bread you buy.
You only need part of a loaf for one evening. A half loaf could be a good fit; if you choose a whole loaf, you can freeze the leftover slices in portions.
First decide whether you want to toast the bread or serve it soft. Then compare the type of bread and how much you’ll need for the evening.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Slices for hot fillings | For a toastie, look for toastie bread and, if possible, check the actual slice. Don’t infer its thickness from the terms fine or coarse. | If I want to pile plenty of filling into a hot sandwich, I want to check in advance whether the slice will work for how I’m preparing it. Around 31% of consumers put bread texture first. |
| Wholemeal bread and texture | Check that it’s labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g on the nutritional information of the products you’re considering. | For my fakeaway meal, I want wholemeal bread, as long as its texture also works with my filling. Around 31% of consumers give this combination top priority. |
| Quantity and leftovers | Count how many slices you need and see whether a half loaf will be enough. If you like, freeze any leftover slices in portions. | I’m only using a few slices tonight and want a plan for what’s left. That’s why quantity comes first for around 23% of consumers. |
| Shopping convenience | Check whether you can order or collect your chosen bread, or find it in store, and whether it’s sold as a whole or half loaf. | If I’m planning my meal at short notice, I want to pick up the bread with the rest of my shopping. For around 15% of consumers, convenience is the main consideration. |
Shops use terms such as fine, coarse and toastie bread, but these names don’t give you a standard slice size. The bread might not turn out as you expected for your filling.
Start with how you plan to prepare it, then check the packaging and, if possible, the slices themselves.
Multigrain and wholemeal don’t mean the same thing. If wholemeal is what you’re looking for, the word multigrain alone doesn’t tell you enough about the product.
Look for the wholemeal label on the exact product, then read the ingredients, nutritional information and allergen information.
If you only use a few slices, you’ll have bread left over to store. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread can become drier the longer it stays in the freezer.
See whether a half loaf will be enough, or freeze the leftover slices in portions.
In its agreement on baker’s salt, the baking industry explains that using iodised baker’s salt isn’t a given in every loaf.
To find out what salt a particular loaf contains, read the ingredients list or ask the shop or manufacturer.
These ranges show you the types of bread you can compare; a label such as fine or coarse doesn’t, on its own, confirm that the slices are medium-thick.
Albert Heijn has online bread categories and its own bread ranges, including sliced wholemeal products.
In its online wholemeal bread range, Jumbo offers options including fine, coarse, half loaves and wholemeal toastie bread.
Lidl lists an 800 g fine wholemeal loaf for in-store purchase.
ALDI lists Fine Wholemeal as sliced bread in its range.
In its wholemeal bread range, PLUS lists round fine loaves in both whole and half sizes.
Dirk’s online wholemeal search results include half farmhouse loaves and half square loaves.
Don’t assume a standard thickness when making this choice: the ranges shown by shops including Jumbo, ALDI and PLUS use terms such as fine, coarse, sliced, whole and half without defining one standard medium-thick slice. Check the exact loaf and, if possible, take a look at the slices.
Choose a half loaf if it gives you enough slices, or freeze the rest of a whole loaf in portions. Bear in mind that, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread can become drier the longer it stays in the freezer.
Read the allergen information for the exact loaf you’re buying, even if you already know the product. Albert Heijn warns that product and allergen information for AH Liefde & Passie Petit sliced wholemeal can change.
Check the ingredients list for the specific loaf and, if you’re unsure, ask the shop or manufacturer to confirm. In its agreement, the baking industry explains that you can’t assume every loaf contains iodised baker’s salt.
