If you’re making a generously filled snack with a thick slice for an older customer, choose a loaf that you can buy unsliced or have cut to your preferred thickness. Pre-sliced bread takes less preparation, but words such as ‘whole’, ‘firm’ and ‘wholemeal’ don’t in themselves mean that the slices are extra thick. If the person has difficulty chewing or swallowing, thick bread isn’t a standard choice; ask a healthcare professional involved in their care about the right texture.
When choosing bread for an older customer, the thickness of the slice is a separate consideration from whether it’s wholemeal or the convenience of pre-sliced bread. So first think about how you’ll prepare the snack and who will be slicing the bread.
If you’re making a generously filled sandwich or toastie, you’ll want to choose the thickness yourself. Albert Heijn, Plus and Dirk list whole floor-baked loaves, but ask before buying whether you can have your chosen loaf unsliced. Albert Heijn specifies that AH Vloerbrood volkoren heel is sliced and packaged in store.
You may want to consider the type of bread as well as the kind of snack you’re making. In its information about bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights wholemeal bread for its fibre content. It also covers wholemeal products in its guidance on nutrition for older people. This doesn’t tell you anything about the thickness or suitability of an individual slice.
You may want to skip the slicing and simply take a pre-sliced slice whenever you need one. Aldi describes Boeren tijger volkoren as pre-sliced. Still, check that the slices in the loaf you buy are thick enough for the snack you have in mind.
For a substantial, filled snack, the main choice is between having control over the slice and spending less time on preparation. A loaf’s name won’t tell you how thick its slices are.
Best if: you want a particular thickness for generous fillings and can get an unsliced loaf or have it cut to size.
Consider: slicing is an extra step. Albert Heijn says that even AH Vloerbrood volkoren heel is sliced and packaged in store.
Best if: having even slices ready to use matters more than choosing the thickness yourself.
Consider: the pre-sliced bread still needs to be suitable for the snack you want to make.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Control over the slice | Ask whether you can buy the loaf unsliced or have it cut to your preferred thickness. | If I’m making a generously filled snack, I want to choose the thickness myself. This is the top priority for around 46% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal bread and fibre | Check the type of bread and compare fibre content on a like-for-like basis, such as per 100 g. Also consider whether the crust and any seeds are suitable for the person eating it. | Alongside the type of snack I’m making, I want to consider the type of bread and its nutritional information. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Preparation and portions | Check whether the standard slice thickness will do, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it. | When I’m buying bread for one or a few people, I want to keep slicing to a minimum and have portions that are easy to use. Convenience is the top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
A whole loaf may still be sold sliced. For example, Albert Heijn says that AH Vloerbrood volkoren heel is sliced and packaged in store every day.
Before buying, specifically ask for an unsliced loaf or find out whether the shop can cut it to your preferred thickness.
These words can help you identify the type of bread, but they don’t tell you how thick each slice is.
Check the actual slice in store or when your order arrives before relying on it to be thick enough for a filled snack.
If someone has difficulty chewing or swallowing, they may need food with a modified texture. A thick or crusty slice may not be suitable.
Follow any existing individual advice on texture, and discuss changes with the speech and language therapist or dietitian involved in their care.
If you only use a few slices at a time, you’ll need a storage plan for a whole loaf. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it.
If needed, divide the loaf into portions that are easy to use, and follow the storage and preparation instructions on the packaging.
These bread ranges give you a starting point for asking about slicing, bread type and slice thickness. A brand or product name doesn’t confirm that a loaf is usually cut into extra-thick slices.
Albert Heijn lists a range of whole floor-baked loaves, including wholemeal, white and multigrain varieties.
Jumbo lists a range of wholemeal and farmhouse loaves, including Stevig Volkoren Zonnepit.
Lidl describes several types of freshly baked bread, including wholemeal and multigrain varieties.
Aldi lists products including Boeren tijger volkoren and fijn volkoren brood.
Plus lists Korenlanders floor-baked loaves, including Extra donker volkoren vloer heel.
Dirk lists whole floor-baked loaves, including wholemeal and multigrain varieties.
This bread may suit you if you want to choose how to slice a round wholemeal loaf. Bear in mind that you’ll need to prepare the loaf, and check that the slices you cut are right for the snack you have in mind.
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For anyone who wants to cut their own slices; check that the loaf will give you the thickness you need for your filled snack. Allow time to defrost, bake and cool the loaf before slicing, and follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.
No. ‘Heel’ doesn’t confirm that the loaf will be supplied unsliced. Albert Heijn says that AH Vloerbrood volkoren heel is sliced and packaged in store every day. So ask how the loaf will be supplied or whether it can be cut to your preferred thickness.
Wholemeal describes the type of bread, not the thickness of the slice or whether its texture is suitable for a particular person. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights wholemeal bread for its fibre content and covers wholemeal products in its guidance on nutrition for older people. For a filled snack, you’ll also need to check the actual slice.
A thick slice isn’t necessarily suitable for someone who has difficulty chewing or swallowing. The Richtlijnendatabase discusses modifying food texture for people with these difficulties. Follow the individual advice on texture and discuss any changes with the healthcare professional involved in their care.
