Campers who enjoy generously filled lunches
If you want to make sandwiches with plenty of filling, a whole loaf lets you cut the slices to your preferred thickness. Dirk’s range includes whole farmhouse and wholemeal loaves, among others.
Who is this choice for?
Campers with limited kitchen equipment
If you want to prepare breakfast or lunch without a knife and chopping board, pre-sliced bread is practical. Just check the actual slice thickness if you plan to add plenty of filling.
Campers planning their supplies
If you want to take enough bread for each meal, check the portion sizes and storage instructions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides separate storage advice for bread and for perishable foods in a cool box.
What should you look for?
First decide whether you want to choose the slice thickness yourself or avoid having to cut the bread. Then check how to store it and which on-pack information matters for your choice.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness | Check the slices in the packaging, or choose a whole loaf if you want to decide on the thickness yourself. | For a generously filled lunch, I want to choose how thickly I cut the bread. Around 40% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Supplies and storage | Choose a suitable loaf size and read the storage advice; only freeze portions if you have access to a freezer. | With limited storage, I want to plan bread for each meal and keep leftovers to a minimum; around 30% of consumers prioritise supplies and portions. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Check the product name, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the current label. | If I’m looking for wholemeal bread or need to check the ingredients, I want to be able to see what each product contains. For around 30% of consumers, checking the label comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a product name tells you the slice thickness
Words such as ‘coarse’ and ‘firm’ don’t tell you how thick the slices in the pack are. A whole loaf is only cut as thickly as you slice it yourself.
Check the slices before buying, or choose a whole loaf if you want to decide on the thickness yourself.
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Storing bread and chilled fillings in the same way
How you store bread is separate from how you store perishable fillings. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, perishable foods can be kept in a cool box at the campsite for a maximum of one day.
Plan bread portions separately and take perishable fillings in small quantities; keep them chilled according to the storage advice.
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Skipping the label when choosing wholemeal bread
‘Wholemeal’ doesn’t tell you the slice thickness or what other ingredients are in the bread. For example, a PLUS wholemeal loaf lists wheat and soya; another loaf may have a different composition.
Read the current label if ingredients, allergens or nutritional information will affect your choice.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s bread range includes both whole and sliced options, including farmhouse bread and OerDesem.
- You can check individual products to see whether you’re choosing a whole or sliced loaf.
- Check the slices for each product if thickness is a deciding factor.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers wholemeal loaves with names such as Fine Wholemeal, Round Coarse Wholemeal and Firm Wholemeal with Sunflower Seeds.
- Product names can help you find a particular loaf shape or texture.
- ‘Coarse’ or ‘firm’ doesn’t confirm that the bread is thickly sliced.
Lidl
Lidl describes its Knip wholemeal bread as a sliced 800 g loaf sold in store.
- The product description confirms that the loaf is sliced.
- Check the bread if the exact slice thickness matters for your fillings.
ALDI
ALDI lists sliced loaves in its bakery range, including white, wholemeal and maize bread.
- Sliced bread is an option if you want to avoid having to cut it at the campsite.
- Check the packaging of the loaf you choose to see how it is actually sliced.
PLUS
PLUS lists wholemeal loaves with product information on ingredients, allergens, nutritional value and storage.
- This information can help you compare loaves that you plan to slice yourself.
- Check the label on the loaf you receive too, as product information can change.
Dirk
Dirk offers whole farmhouse and wholemeal loaves, among other types of bread.
- A whole loaf lets you cut the slices yourself for each meal.
- Remember that you’ll need a knife and chopping board, and that slicing takes extra time.
Bread options for camping
This round loaf is a good option if you want to cut your own slices, provided you have a suitable oven. For the Bolletje product, check the loaf shape and slices on the packaging before assuming it will be convenient to cut.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij wholemeal round loaf 550 g
For anyone who wants to cut their own slices and can also bake at the campsite.
The bread needs to be defrosted and baked before use. Check that you have a suitable oven and follow the baking time on the packaging.
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Bolletje Rye Bread Bun 500 g
A rye bread product to consider if you’re looking for bread for meals at the campsite.
Before choosing it for filled sandwiches, check the packaging for the loaf shape, whether it is sliced and the storage advice after opening.
Frequently asked questions
Is thick-sliced bread always more convenient for a camping lunch?
No, the right slice thickness depends on your fillings and how much preparation you want to do yourself. A whole loaf lets you choose the thickness, while pre-sliced bread saves you needing a knife and chopping board. If you choose pre-sliced bread and plan to add plenty of filling, check the slices first.
How should I store wholemeal bread while camping?
Choose an amount that suits your storage options. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 4 days or in the freezer for 1 to 3 months. Freezing it in portions is only an option if you have access to a freezer. Also follow the storage advice on the packaging.
Do I need to keep sandwich fillings chilled separately when camping?
Yes. Perishable fillings need to be stored differently from bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends taking perishable foods in small quantities and keeping them in a cool box for a maximum of one day.
What should I look for in wholemeal bread if slice thickness isn’t my only concern?
Read the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the specific loaf. For example, a PLUS wholemeal product lists wheat and soya. Don’t assume other loaves have the same ingredients, and always check the current label.