Who is this choice relevant to?

Fussy sweet-breakfast fans

You enjoy sweet toppings on a light slice of bread, but don’t want to choose white bread every time. Look for a loaf whose label lists both wholemeal flour and wheat flour.

Shoppers keeping an eye on fibre

You compare fibre per 100 g and may prefer wholemeal bread if an entirely wholemeal base matters more to you than a mix.

Households with varying bread habits

You’re looking for a loaf size that suits everyone’s breakfast habits at home. Consider whether a half loaf will be enough, and follow the storage instructions for the bread you buy.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the types of flour listed on the label, then compare the nutritional information per 100 g and choose a loaf size that suits how much you eat.

Brown bread with wholemeal flour and wheat flour

Choose it if: you want a clear mix of both types of flour to go with sweet toppings.

Bear in mind: the name ‘brown’ doesn’t tell you the proportions of each flour; check the details for the exact loaf.

Wholemeal bread

Choose it if: an entirely wholemeal base is your priority.

Bear in mind: wholemeal bread isn’t a mix of wholemeal flour and wheat flour.

White bread

Choose it if: you’re not specifically looking for a wholemeal component.

Bear in mind: if you’re looking for a mix of white and wholemeal flour, check the ingredients of another loaf.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Mix of flours Check whether both wholemeal flour and flour or wheat flour are listed in the ingredients for the exact loaf. I want a loaf with both types of flour to go with sweet toppings, without basing my choice on colour alone. This clear mix is the priority for around 42% of consumers making this breakfast choice.
Fibre and wholemeal base Look for the ‘wholemeal’ description and compare fibre on the same basis, per 100 g. If an entirely wholemeal base is my main priority, I’d rather not choose a mix just because it looks brown. Around 33% of consumers say this is their top priority.
Size and storage Choose a whole or half loaf to suit how much you eat, and read the storage instructions on the packaging. If we don’t eat this breakfast bread every day, I want a size we can finish without unnecessary waste. This is the most important consideration for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming brown bread is wholemeal

    According to Albert Heijn, brown and multigrain bread can contain flour as well as wholemeal flour. So brown bread isn’t automatically entirely wholemeal.

    Look for the ‘wholemeal’ description if you want an entirely wholemeal base. If you’re looking for a mix, check which types of flour the bread contains.

  • Choosing a whole loaf without considering how much you eat

    If you don’t often serve this bread, some of it could be left over before you finish it.

    Consider buying a half loaf or freezing portions according to the instructions on the packaging.

  • Relying on a label you checked before

    A product’s ingredients and nutritional information can change. This is particularly important if you’re looking for a specific type of flour or keeping an eye on allergens and salt.

    Check the label on the exact loaf again when you buy it, and compare nutritional values per 100 g.

Brands to help you compare

These brands offer a starting point for comparing types of bread and their labels; always check the ingredients of each individual product.

Albert Heijn

AH Zoutarm bruin is a specific example of bread containing both types of flour.

  • Albert Heijn lists 34% wholemeal wheat flour and 33% wheat flour for this product.
  • This composition doesn’t tell you anything about other Albert Heijn loaves.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers various types of bread, including brown bread such as Rond Bruin.

  • The bread name helps you find a brown variety.
  • Check the ingredients before describing Rond Bruin as a mix of wholemeal flour and flour.

Lidl

Lidl uses a fibre meter on packaged loaves to help you compare them.

  • The fibre information gives you a starting point for comparing loaves on the same basis.
  • A fibre meter doesn’t tell you which types of flour are in the exact loaf; check the ingredients list for that.

ALDI

ALDI’s freshly baked bread range includes brown and white bread.

  • Bruin rond is shown in both half and whole loaf sizes.
  • The name of the brown loaf doesn’t confirm that it contains both wholemeal flour and flour.

PLUS

PLUS Boeren bruin heel has nutritional information you can use to compare the exact loaf.

  • PLUS lists 4,8 g of fibre and 0,99 g of salt per 100 g for this loaf.
  • Check the packaging when you buy it, as product information can change.

Dirk

Dirk describes Bakker van der Akker Rond bruin heel as soft inside and suitable for breakfast or lunch.

  • The product description can help you decide whether this type of bread suits your breakfast preferences.
  • Read the ingredients list before choosing this loaf as a mix of white and wholemeal flour.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is brown bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to Albert Heijn, brown bread can contain flour as well as wholemeal flour, while wholemeal bread is made from wholemeal flour. Check the ingredients list to find out which types of flour are in a brown loaf.

How can I identify a mix of white and wholemeal flour for breakfast?

Check whether the ingredients list for the exact loaf includes both wholemeal flour and flour or wheat flour. For example, Albert Heijn lists 34% wholemeal wheat flour and 33% wheat flour for AH Zoutarm bruin; that ratio doesn’t automatically apply to other brown loaves.

Can I freeze bread for several breakfasts?

Yes, as long as you follow the storage instructions for the bread you choose. For wholemeal bread, Voedingscentrum recommends 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1 to 3 months in the freezer; its quality may deteriorate if you store it for longer.

Where should I look if allergens matter to me?

Read the allergen and ingredient information on the packaging of the exact loaf. Don’t rely on its colour, type of bread or the ingredients of another product from the same brand.