Who should think about slice thickness?

Fans of generous sweet toppings

If you want to choose how thick your slice is under jam, fruit spread or nut butter, a whole loaf gives you that option. Check the crumb and crust, too, to judge whether the bread will work with your topping.

Breakfast lovers looking for wholemeal

For a sweet breakfast, choose your type of bread first, then decide on the slice thickness. The Voedingscentrum recommends wholemeal bread as a suitable breakfast staple; according to Albert Heijn, the colour of bread alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s wholemeal.

Shoppers with specific dietary restrictions

If you need to avoid gluten or wheat because of coeliac disease, a wheat allergy or diagnosed gluten sensitivity, choosing a suitable product label matters more than the slice thickness you want. The Voedingscentrum highlights the importance of allergen information on packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the requirement that matters most for your sweet breakfast, then check that the bread, slicing method and topping work well together.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Slice thickness and texture Choose a whole loaf if you want to decide the thickness yourself. For pre-sliced bread, check the slice thickness of the specific product. I want to add a generous amount of sweet topping and choose how thick my slice is. For around 33% of consumers, being able to control slice thickness comes first.
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the wholemeal label and compare the ingredients and nutritional information; don’t judge by colour alone. For my sweet breakfast, I choose bread mainly because it’s wholemeal, even if another variety feels softer. Around 33% of consumers say wholemeal is their top priority.
Bread and sweet toppings Read the ingredients and nutritional information for both the bread and the topping, including the sugar and fat content. I want more than just a suitable slice; I also want to know what my sweet topping adds to breakfast. This combination takes priority for around 20% of consumers.
Dietary requirements and allergens Check the current ingredients and allergen information for the specific bread before choosing based on slice thickness. If I have a specific dietary restriction, the bread needs to meet it before thickness becomes a factor. For around 14% of consumers, this is the first thing they look for.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark bread is wholemeal

    The colour doesn’t tell you which flour was used to make the bread. If you want wholemeal, you could end up buying a different type of bread from the one you had in mind.

    Check that the product is labelled wholemeal and read the ingredients; don’t treat the colour as proof.

  • Confusing sliced with thick-sliced

    Words such as ‘fine’ or ‘sliced’ don’t tell you how thick the slices are. This matters most if you want to choose the thickness yourself to suit a generous topping.

    In that case, choose a whole loaf to slice yourself, or check the slices of the pre-sliced product before buying.

  • Looking at the bread alone

    According to the Voedingscentrum, sweet bread toppings can be high in sugar, salt or saturated fat. Choosing wholemeal bread doesn’t change the nutritional content of the topping.

    If what goes into your breakfast matters to you, compare the bread and topping separately by checking their labels.

  • Not finishing a whole loaf in time

    The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months.

    If needed, divide a whole loaf into portions before freezing.

    That way, you won’t have to defrost the whole loaf each time you only need a few slices.

Brands to consider

These ranges offer different types of bread to compare by slicing method and texture. Check the information for the specific loaf you choose.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists products including wholemeal hearth-baked loaves and sliced OerDesem wholemeal bread.

  • Whole and sliced loaves are useful starting points when comparing the slicing method you want.
  • Albert Heijn notes that product information can change; check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s range includes fine and coarse wholemeal bread.

  • These varieties give you a starting point for choosing the texture you prefer.
  • ‘Fine’ or ‘coarse’ in a product name doesn’t tell you how thick each slice is.

Lidl

Lidl’s bread range includes whole tiger wholemeal hearth-baked loaves.

  • With a whole loaf, you can decide whether to slice it yourself to your preferred thickness.
  • Lidl says its fresh bread range may vary by store, so check what’s available locally.

ALDI

ALDI lists whole, half and pre-sliced fresh bread, including sliced fine wholemeal bread.

  • You can choose the pack format that suits you, whether you want to slice it yourself or use it straight away.
  • If you’re buying pre-sliced bread, check the actual slice thickness if you’re looking for a thick slice.

PLUS

PLUS lists products including Boeren wholemeal whole loaf and whole tiger wholemeal loaf.

  • These whole loaves are a good option if you want to choose the slice thickness yourself.
  • PLUS warns that product information may change; check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.

Dirk

Dirk lists products including wholemeal hearth-baked and farmhouse loaves.

  • A whole loaf gives you the flexibility to tailor the slice thickness to your breakfast.
  • Check the current nutritional information for your chosen bread if you want to verify any claims about fibre.

Bread to slice yourself at Joybuy

These round loaves are for anyone who wants to choose their slice thickness at home. Both need to be prepared before they can be cooled and sliced; check separately whether wholemeal is a requirement for you.

Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread 550 g

For anyone looking for a wholemeal loaf and wanting to choose the slice thickness after preparing it.

This 550 g round frozen loaf needs to be defrosted and baked first. Leave it to cool before slicing, and follow the current packaging for baking instructions. Decide for yourself whether the texture works with your topping.

View at Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij round multigrain bread, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij round multigrain bread 550 g

For anyone looking for a round multigrain loaf to slice themselves after preparing it.

This 550 g frozen loaf needs to be defrosted, baked and cooled first. If wholemeal is essential for you, check the ingredients: multigrain and wholemeal don’t mean the same thing. Check the texture before cutting thick slices for a generous topping.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is dark bread automatically wholemeal?

No, the colour doesn’t prove that bread is wholemeal. Albert Heijn explains that ‘wholemeal’ refers to the flour used, so check the product description and ingredients.

How long can you keep opened wholemeal bread?

The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. If you won’t finish a whole loaf soon, you can divide it into portions before freezing.

Should I choose gluten-free bread for thicker slices?

No, wanting thicker slices isn’t in itself a reason to choose gluten-free bread. According to the Voedingscentrum, people without a relevant medical condition don’t need to eat gluten-free; if you have a specific dietary restriction, check the bread’s labelling and allergen information.