For a generously filled lunch, don’t choose a roll based on ‘thick cut’ alone: no comparable slice thickness is specified for the rolls discussed here. Look at the shape of the roll, then choose between fresh and bake-at-home, and between white, wholemeal and other grains. If you have a specific dietary requirement, always check the packaging.
You want a roll that’s easy to slice open and fill. As ‘thick cut’ doesn’t indicate a comparable measurement for these rolls, their visible shape and whether you need to bake them at home are more useful things to consider.
You’re looking for a roll that’s explicitly wholemeal, rather than relying on terms such as ‘brown’ or ‘rustic’. Albert Heijn states that its wholemeal roll contains 100% wholemeal flour and 7.1 g of fibre per 100 g; these figures apply to that specific product.
You want to know whether you can take a roll with you for lunch or whether you’ll need to prepare it at home. If gluten or other ingredients are a deciding factor for you, also check the allergen information on the packaging you choose.
Start with the shape you want for your filling, then compare the grain base, preparation and ingredients of the specific roll.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Shape for a generous filling | Look at the shape and cross-section of the roll, and check whether it’s already sliced. Don’t assume that ‘thick cut’ or ‘rustic’ tells you how well it will hold a filling. | If I want to fill my lunch roll generously, I want to be able to judge in advance whether its shape is practical. Around 31% of consumers prioritise shape when choosing a roll for a filling. |
| Wholemeal flour and fibre | Check the product name and ingredients list for wholemeal flour; compare the fibre per 100 g if it’s listed. | For my lunch, I want to choose a roll made with wholemeal flour, not just one with a dark or rustic-sounding name. For around 31% of consumers, the type of grain matters most. |
| Preparation and when you’ll eat it | Check whether the roll is fresh, part-baked or frozen, and follow the product’s preparation and storage instructions. | When I pick up a roll for a quick lunch, I want to know whether I can eat it straight away or need to bake it first. For around 23% of consumers, preparation is the first thing they consider. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen declaration on the packaging; spelt is not the same as gluten-free. | If I have a specific dietary requirement, I need to be able to tell whether this particular roll meets it. For around 15% of consumers, this check comes first. |
These words don’t describe the same grain base. PLUS states that its multigrain roll contains 56% wholemeal wheat flour, while Albert Heijn states that its wholemeal roll contains 100% wholemeal flour.
If you want a wholemeal roll, look for ‘wholemeal’ and read the ingredients list. Check the nutritional information per 100 g if you also want to compare fibre content.
For the rolls discussed here, the term doesn’t indicate a comparable slice thickness or how well they’ll hold a filling. A name such as ‘rustic’ doesn’t tell you how much filling the roll can hold either.
Check the shape on the packaging or in store, and see whether the roll is sliced. Also choose a preparation method that suits when you want to eat it.
Jumbo’s organic spelt roll lists gluten, spelt and wheat as allergens. So having a different grain in the product name doesn’t make a roll suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Check the current allergen information on the packaging of every product, and choose a roll explicitly labelled gluten-free if that’s a requirement for you.
According to the product information, Jumbo’s frozen white rolls must be prepared and eaten within 24 hours of defrosting.
Plan when to defrost and bake them before choosing this option for lunch. If you want to eat without preparing anything at home, look for a fresh roll.
Albert Heijn offers fresh individual rolls, including white and wholemeal options.
Jumbo offers, among other options, white, multiseed, frozen and spelt rolls.
Lidl describes a white wheat roll and brown wheat and rye rolls to bake at home.
ALDI describes an individual white roll in its bakery range.
PLUS offers, among other options, multigrain and spelt rolls, as well as rolls explicitly labelled gluten-free.
Dirk offers white bake-at-home rolls and a rustic multigrain option, including rolls for lunch.
No. For the rolls discussed here, no standard slice thickness or cross-section is given for this term. So assess the shape of the specific roll rather than relying on the search term alone.
Look for a roll explicitly labelled wholemeal and check the ingredients list. Albert Heijn states that its wholemeal roll contains 100% wholemeal flour and 7.1 g of fibre per 100 g; ‘multigrain’ or ‘rustic’ doesn’t mean the same thing on its own.
Some options can be prepared quickly: PLUS says to bake its multigrain rolls for 8 to 10 minutes in an oven at 220 °C, or for 4 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 200 °C. Follow the instructions on the packaging of the roll you buy.
No. Jumbo lists gluten, spelt and wheat as allergens for this spelt roll. If you’re looking for a gluten-free roll, check that the specific product is explicitly labelled gluten-free and read the packaging.
