Parents who want to prepare lunch quickly
Pre-sliced bread saves you having to cut it when you’re making several lunches. Check the number of slices, the weight per slice if provided, and the storage instructions once opened.
Who is this useful for?
Families keeping an eye on fibre and rye
Compare the fibre per 100 g and the stated wholegrain rye content. The product name or dark colour alone won’t tell you how much rye a loaf contains.
Families who need to check the label carefully
Read the ingredients and allergen information if cereals containing gluten or the possible presence of other allergens matter to your choice. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that bread does not have to be made with baker’s salt; check the type of salt if this is important to you.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide what matters most for your lunch: a clearly stated rye content, a milder taste or slices that make it easy to estimate portions in advance. Then compare the information on the packaging.
Wholegrain rye bread
Choose this when: the stated wholegrain rye content and fibre per 100 g are your priorities.
Bear in mind: rye bread can also contain wheat, so check the ingredients of each variety.
Milder rye and wheat variety
Choose this when: you’d prefer a lighter taste and colour. Jumbo describes Bolletje Licht this way.
Bear in mind: this variety also contains wholemeal wheat flour as well as rye.
Frisian rye bread in counted slices
Choose this when: you want to plan lunch by the slice; Jumbo lists 10 slices in a 500 g pack of Van Dijk's.
Bear in mind: according to that product page, you need to separate the slices with a knife.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slices and portions | Check whether the bread is sliced and compare the number of slices and the weight per slice, if provided. | If I want to prepare several lunches quickly, I need to know in advance how many slices I’ll need. This convenience is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Fibre and rye content | Read the ingredients and compare the stated rye percentage and fibre on the same basis: per 100 g. | If you’re mainly looking for wholegrain rye, don’t rely on the name ‘rye bread’ alone. This is the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and labelling | Read the current allergen information and, if the type of salt matters to you, check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed. | If I need to take cereals containing gluten into account or I’m checking the type of salt, the label determines which variety I can choose. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Availability | Check shortly before buying whether your chosen variety is available at your shop or in your delivery area. | If I’ve chosen a particular variety for lunch, I want to know whether I can actually buy it. Availability is the deciding factor for around 10% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all rye bread contains rye only
The ingredients vary between varieties. For example, the Waldkorn variety by Brood van Soma, described by PLUS, lists wheat flour as its first ingredient and also contains rye and other grains.
Read the ingredients in order and compare the stated rye percentage if rye is the main reason for your choice.
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Assuming ‘medium-sliced’ means a standard slice size
Product pages don’t always give the same details about slices. For Van Dijk's, Jumbo lists 10 slices in 500 g; this tells you nothing about the slice size of another brand.
Compare the number of slices and the weight per slice where stated, rather than relying on the description ‘sliced’ alone.
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Assuming all rye bread contains baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread does not have to be made with baker’s salt. You may therefore need to check the type of salt separately on the label.
Look for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’ in the ingredients list, or ask which ingredients are used if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
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Relying on an old product description instead of the packaging
If you’re choosing based on ingredients, allergens or storage, the packaging of the variety you’re buying is the relevant source of information.
Check the current packaging before use and follow that product’s storage instructions once opened.
Brands and varieties to consider
Bolletje
The varieties reviewed offer two different options: Frisian rye bread and a rye and wheat variety described as lighter.
- PLUS lists 56% wholegrain cracked rye and 9.1 g of fibre per 100 g for Bolletje Fries Roggebrood.
- The Licht variety described by Jumbo also contains wholemeal wheat flour. Both varieties reviewed contain rye and wheat.
Van Dijk's
The Frisian variety reviewed is worth considering if you want to compare packs with a clearly stated number of slices.
- Jumbo lists 10 slices per 500 g and 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
- According to the product page, you need to separate the slices with a knife; the ingredients include rye, wheat and preservatives.
Brood van Soma
The Waldkorn variety reviewed is a rye, wheat and multigrain bread, rather than the same type as classic Frisian rye bread.
- The ingredients listed by PLUS include several grains and sunflower seeds.
- Wheat flour is the first ingredient. Check the cereals containing gluten listed and whether hazelnuts are mentioned as a possible allergen, if relevant to your choice.
TastyBasics
The rye bread variety reviewed, sold as 9 pieces, includes label information you can use to compare its ingredients.
- The product information reviewed lists 60% wholegrain cracked rye and 9.6 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The product contains rye and cereals containing gluten. Check the current packaging too for any stated possibility of sesame, milk and nuts being present.
Rye bread at Joybuy
These products are worth considering if you’re choosing rye bread as a lunch staple. Focus on the ingredients and, for the Bolletje variety, check whether the pack on offer is the sliced bread you’re looking for.
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TastyBasics rye bread – 9 pieces
An option to consider if you want to compare wholegrain rye content and fibre per 100 g. The product information reviewed lists 60% wholegrain cracked rye and 9.6 g of fibre per 100 g.
Check the packaging and preparation instructions before buying: the product descriptions don’t clearly state whether the bread needs to be baked before eating.
If you have allergies, check the current ingredients and allergen information.
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Bolletje rye bread Bol – 500 g
Worth considering if you’re looking for rye bread for a quick lunch. The Joybuy product description says it is sliced rye bread, while the product title uses a different name, so check the product and packaging before buying.
Check the number of slices and the weight per slice on the pack if you want to plan portions. Read the current ingredients and allergen information too.
Frequently asked questions
Is ordinary rye bread gluten-free?
No. Rye is a cereal that contains gluten. The varieties reviewed contain rye, and some also contain wheat. If you’re looking for gluten-free bread, don’t rely on the name ‘rye bread’: check the product’s explicit gluten-free claim and ingredients.
Does rye bread always contain iodine from baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread does not have to be made with baker’s salt. For pre-packed rye bread, look for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’ in the ingredients list, and ask which type of salt has been used if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
How should I store opened rye bread during the school holidays?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for your variety. The product information reviewed doesn’t give the same instructions for every type of rye bread, so follow the guidance on the pack you’ve bought.
Does ‘wholegrain rye bread’ tell you enough about the ingredients?
No. Also compare the ingredients list, any stated rye percentage and the nutrition information per 100 g. The Consumers’ Association points out that the rye content of rye bread may differ from what you’d expect based on its name.