If you want to take a sandwich with you without having to slice the bread, and you’re looking for fibre, pre-sliced wholemeal bread is a practical place to start. For heavy or moist fillings, check the actual thickness and firmness of each slice: ‘sliced’, ‘coarse’ and ‘artisan’ don’t in themselves mean the slices are thick.
If you’re taking egg, hummus or several layers of filling with you, for example, you’ll want a slice that stays intact while you’re out and about. Check the thickness and firmness of the bread itself before choosing it for this purpose.
You can grab pre-sliced bread without having to slice it first. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies wholemeal bread as a high-fibre option; Jumbo lists 7.6 g of fibre per 100 g for Fijn Volkoren. Always compare nutritional information on the same basis.
If you buy bread as part of your regular shop, check which type and size are available at your local store. A half loaf or a loaf you freeze in portions may suit you if you only use a few slices at a time.
Start with the filling you want to take with you. A wholemeal base and pre-sliced packaging are convenient, but they don’t replace checking each individual slice.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sturdiness on the go | Check the thickness of the slice and whether it suits your filling; ‘sliced’ doesn’t tell you how thick it is. | If I’m taking a heavy or moist filling with me, I want my sandwich to stay intact until I eat it. Around 40% of consumers put sturdiness first. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and, if listed, compare the fibre content per 100 g. | When I want to grab a sandwich quickly, a wholemeal base remains my main criterion. Around 30% of consumers put this first. |
| Availability and storage | Check the loaf size at your local store and decide how many slices you can use or freeze. | I want to be able to pick up bread during my regular shop without the rest going stale. This is the main consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
Pre-sliced bread saves you the effort of cutting it, but the label doesn’t tell you how thick or firm each slice is. That matters if you want to take a filling with you that weighs down the bread or releases moisture.
Check the slices in store or look at the packaging before choosing bread for this purpose.
Colour, a coarse appearance and an artisan name are no substitute for the ‘wholemeal’ label.
If wholemeal is essential for you, check the product name and ingredients. When comparing loaves, check the fibre content per 100 g.
Ingredients and listed allergens vary between breads and recipes. A general name such as ‘wholemeal bread’ doesn’t tell you everything about a specific product.
If you have an allergy, read the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
If you only use a few slices at a time, some of a whole loaf may go stale before you get to it.
Choose a suitable size or freeze the bread in portions soon after buying it, so you can take out only the slices you need.
These bread ranges offer different types and sizes to explore. If you want a sandwich with a generous filling, always check the slices of the specific product.
The AH Liefde & Passie range includes options such as Petit volkoren gesneden, Spelt gesneden and OerDesem varieties.
Jumbo Fijn Volkoren is a whole, pre-sliced wholemeal wheat loaf.
Lidl describes Knip volkoren as an 800 g pre-sliced artisan loaf.
ALDI’s range includes a whole extra-high-fibre wholemeal loaf.
PLUS Grof Volkoren is listed as a whole loaf, with ingredients, allergen and nutritional information.
Dirk’s range includes wholemeal bread and multigrain bread.
Check the thickness and firmness of each slice and compare it with the filling you want to take with you. ‘Coarse’, ‘artisan’ and ‘sliced’ don’t in themselves mean the slices are thick.
No, don’t go by colour alone. If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread, check for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the packaging or product page.
Read the allergen information for the specific loaf, as ingredients and possible traces vary between products. Jumbo lists wheat and barley, among other allergens, for Fijn Volkoren; check the current packaging every time you buy it.
Freeze the bread in portions soon after buying it, then take out only what you need. According to the Food Storage Guide from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, opened wholemeal bread can be kept for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard or for 1–3 months in the freezer.
