Which type is right for you?

If you’re short on time in the morning

You want to be able to grab your bread and take it with you, without using the oven or doing any extra slicing. Pre-sliced sourdough bread is a better fit than a loaf that still needs baking.

If you’re keeping an eye on wholemeal and fibre

You want to compare the type of flour and fibre content rather than relying on the word ‘sourdough’ alone. The Voedingscentrum lists wholemeal bread as a breakfast option; check each product’s wholemeal labelling and nutritional information.

If you like to plan breakfast ahead

You want to be able to store portions or keep a non-perishable option to hand. Check the bread’s freezing instructions or the best-before date on the crispbread.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether you want to eat the bread straight away or can prepare it at home. Then compare whether it’s wholemeal, its nutritional information and whether the packaging suits the way you’ll use it.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Ready to eat Is the bread pre-sliced, or does it still need baking? Also check how you can buy the option you’ve chosen. If I leave early, I want to be able to grab breakfast without slicing or baking it first. For around 29% of consumers, speed is the top priority when making this choice.
Wholemeal and fibre Look for an explicit wholemeal label and compare fibre and salt per 100 g. I want to know which flour has been used and what the nutritional value is, not just that the bread is made with sourdough. Around 36% of consumers give this product information the highest priority.
Storage and portions Read the storage and freezing instructions, and choose a pack size that suits you. If I don’t eat bread every day, I want to be able to store any leftovers. This ease of storage matters most to around 21% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the exact product variant. If I need to avoid an ingredient, the packaging needs to make that clear. For around 14% of consumers, checking this is their top priority when buying.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘sourdough’ means ‘wholemeal’

    Sourdough describes how the bread is made, not whether it’s white, brown or wholemeal. So the name alone won’t help if you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread.

    Check the wholemeal label and compare fibre per 100 g on the packaging.

  • Assuming shop-baked bread can be ordered online

    Jumbo says that its sourdough loaves baked in-store can’t be ordered online. This makes the range less convenient if you want to arrange breakfast in advance with an online order.

    Check whether your chosen option can be delivered, collected or bought in-store only.

  • Assuming a product is allergen-free because it’s called ‘sourdough’

    The sourdough products described by Albert Heijn, PLUS and Wasa contain gluten-containing cereals; other allergens or ‘may contain’ statements may also be relevant for each product.

    Check the current ingredients and allergen information for the exact product variant every time you buy it.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan

    If you only have bread for breakfast occasionally, you may end up with some of a whole loaf left over.

    Choose a suitable size or check whether you can freeze the bread at home. Albert Heijn says its Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren can be frozen.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren is a whole loaf that Albert Heijn describes as an in-store product.

  • The product information lists 6.5 g of fibre and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g. Albert Heijn says this bread can be frozen at home.
  • The product contains gluten-containing cereals and has warnings about the possible presence of other allergens. Also check whether you’ll need to slice the loaf.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes a range of rustic sourdough breads in different varieties, including wholemeal pumpkin, brown multigrain and white spelt.

  • Jumbo lists eight flavour varieties. The stated rising time of more than 24 hours describes its own bread range.
  • Jumbo says these loaves are baked in-store and can’t be ordered online.

PLUS

PLUS offers Korenlanders sourdough in different forms, including a small brown multigrain sourdough loaf.

  • For the small loaf, PLUS lists a weight of 300 g and provides an ingredients and allergen list; the product information also mentions freezer storage.
  • Check how your chosen variety needs to be prepared: a loaf that still needs baking isn’t suitable for a breakfast with no preparation.

Lidl

Lidl lists rustic wholemeal, spelt and organic multigrain sourdough bread, among other options.

  • Lidl describes its organic multigrain sourdough bread as brown bread with seeds, weighing 600 g.
  • Compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the bread you choose, and check whether it’s available in your store.

ALDI

ALDI offers fresh daily bread and wholemeal bread as alternatives if sourdough isn’t a must.

  • ALDI says its wholemeal breads are made with 100% wholemeal flour.
  • If you specifically want sourdough, check the product information for the bread you choose.

Dirk

Dirk lists sourdough alongside wholemeal, white and multigrain bread in its range.

  • This makes Dirk a good place to compare different types of bread for the same breakfast.
  • Check the ingredients, nutritional information and availability of the sourdough variety you choose.

Sourdough crispbread on Joybuy

This crispbread is a crunchy sourdough option if you want to grab breakfast without baking. Compare it with other crispbreads, rather than as a substitute with the same texture or portion size as fresh bread.

Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers, 235 g pack

Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers, 235 g

A crispbread option if you want a crunchy breakfast to take with you, with no baking required. According to the product information for Wasa Sourdough Rye, it’s made from 100% wholegrain rye and contains 19 g of fibre per 100 g. It contains gluten-containing cereals; if you have allergies, check the current packaging, and check the best-before date if you’re stocking up.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough bread automatically wholemeal?

No. Sourdough describes how the bread is made, not whether it’s white, brown or wholemeal. Look for an explicit wholemeal label and compare fibre per 100 g if that matters to your choice.

Can I choose any sourdough bread if I avoid gluten?

No, don’t rely on the word ‘sourdough’. The products described here from Albert Heijn, PLUS and Wasa contain gluten-containing cereals. For any other product, check the current ingredients and allergen information.

What can I take with me if I don’t have time to prepare bread?

Choose an option that’s ready to eat, such as pre-sliced sourdough bread or sourdough crispbread. For fresh bread, check whether it’s already sliced; bake-at-home bread still needs preparing at home.

What can I do if I don’t eat sourdough bread every day?

Choose a loaf size that suits how you use it, or check whether you can freeze portions. Albert Heijn says its Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren can be frozen at home; for crispbread, follow the date and storage instructions on the packaging.

Does baker’s salt mean that all sourdough bread contains iodine?

No, you can’t tell from the type of bread alone. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may only be added to bread and other baked goods through baker’s salt. To check the ingredients of a specific loaf, read the current ingredients information or ask the manufacturer.