A whole, pre-sliced loaf of wholemeal bread is practical if several members of your family eat sandwiches every day. If how much you get through varies, or everyone has different preferences, a half loaf or a selection of smaller loaves might suit you better. Check whether each loaf is sliced and what its crumb is like: terms such as ‘fine’ and ‘medium-sliced’ don’t tell you the exact slice thickness.
A whole, sliced loaf is handy for breakfast and lunch, so you don’t have to slice it yourself each time. Think about how many slices your family will use before the bread starts to lose its freshness; you can freeze any portions you won’t use on the day you buy it.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. If whether the bread contains baker’s salt matters to you, check the details for the specific loaf.
If some members of your family prefer a fine crumb and others like a firmer loaf, don’t choose based on the word ‘sliced’ alone. Compare the product descriptions and consider smaller loaves with different textures.
First, work out how much bread your household gets through and what kind of crumb everyone prefers. Then check the details of the loaves you’re considering, rather than treating ‘medium-sliced’ as a standard product specification.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Size and slicing | Check whether the loaf is sold whole or as a half loaf, and whether it’s pre-sliced. ‘Fine’ on its own doesn’t tell you the exact slice thickness. | If I need sandwiches every morning and afternoon, I want enough bread without having to slice it myself. For around 40% of consumers, that everyday convenience is the top priority. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the product name and ingredients; compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and check for allergens and, where relevant, baker’s salt. | When I compare loaves for my family, I want to know what’s in them and how their nutritional values differ. For around 30% of consumers, checking this is the top priority. |
| Storage and waste | Choose a size that suits how much you get through and read the storage instructions. Freeze any portions you won’t use on the day you buy it, if the loaf’s instructions say you can. | If we don’t eat the same amount of bread at home every day, I want to avoid leaving a whole loaf uneaten. Reducing waste is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Bread made with several grains isn’t automatically wholemeal. The colour doesn’t tell you which type of flour has been used, either.
If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread, check the product name and ingredients for wholemeal flour.
According to the Voedingscentrum, bread can also be baked without baker’s salt. So its presence varies from one product to another.
If baker’s salt matters to you, check the ingredients list on the loaf you’re buying.
A whole loaf makes sense if your family gets through a lot of bread each day, but it may go uneaten if you eat less bread on some days. The Voedingscentrum lists bread as a food that is often wasted.
Choose a size that suits how much you get through, or freeze any portions you won’t use on the day you buy it if the product information says this is suitable.
Supermarket listings also use terms such as ‘sliced’, ‘fine’, ‘whole’ and ‘half’. These don’t tell you the exact slice thickness you’re looking for.
Before ordering, check the description and packaging for the specific loaf to confirm its size and how it’s sliced.
These supermarkets list a range of wholemeal loaves. Compare the size, crumb and details of each loaf.
Albert Heijn has an online wholemeal bread category, including sliced options.
Jumbo lists products such as Fijn Volkoren as both whole and half loaves.
ALDI lists fine wholemeal bread in whole and half sizes, as well as other wholemeal options.
PLUS lists the ingredients and nutritional information for a whole farmhouse wholemeal loaf.
Dirk lists wholemeal loaves in whole and half sizes, in a range of shapes.
Lidl lists a wholemeal kids’ loaf made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour, among other products.
Don’t assume this search term means a specific slice thickness for the loaves you’re comparing. Supermarkets also use descriptions such as ‘sliced’, ‘fine’, ‘whole’ and ‘half’; check the product description or packaging if slice thickness matters to you.
Check the product name and ingredients for wholemeal flour. If you want to compare two loaves in more detail, also read the nutritional information per 100 g and the allergen information on the packaging.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread can also be baked without baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for the specific loaf if its presence matters to you.
A whole loaf is a good choice if several members of your family eat sandwiches every day, or if you can freeze any portions you don’t use. If how much you get through varies, a half loaf can help reduce waste; follow the storage and freezing instructions for the product you choose.
