Budget-conscious split pea soup shoppers
You’re looking for bread to serve with your soup that you can also use over the following days. A whole own-brand loaf is a good starting point, as long as the size suits how much you’ll use.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers looking for wholemeal bread
You want to make a considered choice and buy wholemeal bread within your budget. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as higher in fibre than white bread; for packaged bread, check that the label says ‘wholemeal’.
Small households
You only eat some of the loaf with your split pea soup and don’t want the rest to go to waste. A half loaf, or dividing a whole loaf into portions and freezing them straight away, could suit the way you use it.
What should you look for when buying?
First, work out how much bread you’ll eat with your split pea soup and afterwards. Then choose a type and size of loaf that you can use up or store.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Bread that fits your budget | Compare whole and half loaves by size, and work out how much you’ll actually use. | If I eat bread with my soup and over the following days, I don’t want a large amount left over. Budget is the top priority for around 42% of consumers when choosing bread. |
| Choosing wholemeal | For packaged bread, check whether the label says ‘wholemeal’; its colour or the words ‘multigrain’ don’t confirm this. | If I eat bread regularly, I want to be sure I’m choosing wholemeal. This is the most important consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Storing leftovers | Work out how many slices you’ll need and whether you can freeze the rest in portions straight away. | For one soup meal, I might only use a little bread and want to keep the rest. Freshness and avoiding waste are the most important factors for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark or multigrain bread is automatically wholemeal
A dark colour or the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that packaged bread is wholemeal. When choosing wholemeal bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between the type of bread and these visual characteristics.
Check the label for the words ‘wholemeal’ before choosing between loaves.
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Buying a whole loaf without a plan for the leftovers
If you only use a few slices with your split pea soup, the rest could go uneaten. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions straight after buying it.
Choose a half loaf if that suits the way you use bread better, or divide a whole loaf into portions for the freezer as soon as you get home.
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Assuming all bread contains iodised baker’s salt
Information from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority about iodine compounds in baker’s salt doesn’t mean that every loaf contains this salt.
If you want to know which salt was used in a particular loaf, check the product information rather than trying to tell from the type of bread.
Brands to compare
These supermarket chains stock a variety of breads. Compare the specific type and size of loaf, not just the shop name.
Albert Heijn
Its bread range includes AH Tijger volkoren heel and OerDesem loaves.
- You can compare a standard wholemeal loaf with other types of bread.
- Check the wholemeal label and size of each loaf; a sourdough name doesn’t tell you the same thing.
Jumbo
Jumbo has own-brand wholemeal loaves in whole and half sizes, including Boeren Tijger Volkoren.
- The different sizes give you options to suit your household.
- A whole loaf and a half loaf don’t necessarily have the same weight or recipe.
Lidl
Lidl describes an oven-fresh range that includes wholemeal bread, multigrain bread and part-baked bread.
- You can compare different types of bread and ways of preparing them.
- Lidl says its oven-fresh range may vary between stores.
ALDI
Its fresh daily range includes Fijn volkoren heel and Boeren tijger volkoren heel.
- There are several wholemeal loaves to compare by type.
- Check the packaging of the variety you choose; other wholemeal loaves in the range may have a different recipe.
PLUS
PLUS stocks options including Volkoren tijger heel, Rond fijn volkoren heel and Korenlanders sourdough loaves.
- The range lets you choose between standard wholemeal bread and sourdough.
- For a sourdough variety, check separately whether it meets your requirements for wholemeal bread.
Dirk
Dirk’s bread range includes Vloerbrood volkoren heel.
- A wholemeal artisan loaf is one option to compare with the amount you need.
- Dirk doesn’t offer a delivery service, so you’ll need to visit a store.
Bread products on Joybuy
These products include a round wholemeal loaf and a rye bread product to serve with split pea soup. When choosing, consider the size and how you plan to use the bread.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread 550 g
This round loaf goes well with soup if you’re looking for wholemeal bread and can use or store a whole loaf.
Contents: 550 g. Allow time to defrost, bake and cool before serving; follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.
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Bolletje rye bread product 500 g
This rye bread product offers a different type of bread to serve with split pea soup if you’re specifically looking for rye bread.
Contents: 500 g. Before buying, check the product format on the packaging: the title refers to a bread roll, while the description also mentions sliced rye bread.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose wholemeal rather than white bread with split pea soup?
You don’t have to because of the soup, but if you want wholemeal bread, the label on packaged bread makes it clear. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as higher in fibre than white bread; also consider what size loaf you’ll actually use.
What should I do with bread left over after split pea soup?
If you want to eat the bread later, freeze it in portions straight after buying it, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Take out only what you need each time; bread can become drier if it’s kept in the freezer for a long time.
Does all bread in the Netherlands contain iodised baker’s salt?
No, you can’t assume that every loaf does. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how iodine compounds can be present in bread through baker’s salt; check the product information if you want to know which salt was used in a particular loaf.
Can you easily compare whole loaves from different shops?
Only if you also take the weight, type of bread and packaging into account. A whole loaf from one brand won’t necessarily be the same size or have the same recipe as a whole loaf from another brand; also consider how much you’ll use.