If you want to choose how thick the slices are for a generously topped sandwich, opt for a whole loaf that you can slice yourself. Pre-sliced bread saves you the effort, but terms such as ‘coarse’, ‘hearty’ and ‘toast bread’ don’t confirm how thick the slices are. When choosing, check separately whether the bread is wholemeal and what ingredients and allergens it contains.
If you’re making generously topped sandwiches or hot sandwiches, a whole loaf lets you cut the slices to your preferred thickness. If you’d rather buy pre-sliced bread, take a look at the slices before you buy.
You may want both thick slices and wholemeal bread for breakfast or lunch. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread contains more fibre than white bread; the term ‘wholemeal’ says nothing about slice thickness.
If you have a food allergy or a question about baker’s salt, the information for the specific loaf you choose matters. Check the current packaging or ask about the ingredients if you’re buying unwrapped bread; don’t rely on the product name alone.
First decide whether you want to choose the slice thickness yourself or buy pre-sliced bread. Then assess the product name, ingredients and quantity of bread you’ll need.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness | Choose a whole loaf to slice yourself, or look at the slices and ask how thick they are if you’re buying pre-sliced bread. | For generously topped sandwiches, I want to choose how thick each slice is. For roughly 40% of consumers, having control over slice thickness is the most important factor. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check for the term ‘wholemeal’ and compare the nutritional information for the product you’ve chosen; ‘multigrain’ doesn’t mean the same as ‘wholemeal’. | For my everyday sandwiches, I want to know first whether the bread is wholemeal, regardless of its thickness. This is the main question for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information; if you’re checking for iodine, see whether baker’s salt is listed. | If I need to avoid an allergen or check for baker’s salt, the ingredients in this specific loaf determine my choice. For roughly 20% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
| Quantity of bread | Choose a whole or half loaf to suit how much you’ll use, and follow the freezing instructions for the product you’ve chosen. | If I only need a few thick slices, I want to avoid leaving the rest unused. For around 10% of consumers, the quantity of bread is therefore the first thing to consider. |
These words in a product name don’t tell you how thick each slice is. Pre-sliced bread may therefore be different from what you need for a generously topped sandwich.
Look at the slices in store or choose a whole loaf if you want to decide the thickness yourself.
‘Multigrain’ doesn’t tell you by itself whether wholemeal flour has been used. A thick slice also says nothing about the fibre content per 100 g.
If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, check the product name and ingredients of the loaf you’re buying.
According to the Voedingscentrum, not all bread is made with baker’s salt. So the type of bread or an organic label doesn’t necessarily tell you whether it has been used.
Check the ingredients list for ‘baker’s salt’ or ask about it if you’re buying unwrapped bread.
If you only use a few thick slices, make sure the amount left over suits how quickly you’ll use it.
Consider buying half a loaf and check the packaging for advice on storing or freezing the product you’ve chosen.
The range at these shops gives you a starting point when looking for whole or sliced bread. Check the slice thickness and current packaging for each product.
The online bread range includes both whole and sliced loaves.
Jumbo offers, among other options, coarse wholemeal bread, hearty wholemeal bread and wholemeal toast bread.
Lidl describes Knip wholemeal as a sliced artisan loaf weighing 800 g, available in store.
According to ALDI’s own range information, its bread selection includes whole loaves and sliced bread.
PLUS offers wholemeal tin loaves, among other products; product information varies by loaf.
These round loaves are a good choice if you want to slice the bread yourself after baking. They don’t confirm that you’ll receive ready-to-eat, thickly sliced bread; also allow time for thawing, baking and cooling.
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For anyone who wants to choose the slice thickness after baking.
Round loaf weighing 550 g. According to the preparation instructions, slice it after thawing, baking and cooling.
To check which wholemeal description and ingredients apply to this product, refer to the product information and packaging.
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For anyone who wants to bake a round multigrain loaf and slice it themselves afterwards.
Loaf weighing 550 g; leave it to cool after thawing and baking before slicing.
‘Multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal. Check the product name and ingredients if you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread.
No, these words don’t confirm the slice thickness. If you’re buying pre-sliced bread, look at the slices or ask how thick they are; with a whole loaf, you can choose the thickness yourself.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, not all bread is made with baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list on packaged bread, or ask which type of salt has been used if you’re buying unwrapped bread.
Read the latest allergen and ingredient information for the specific product. For example, PLUS lists wheat and sesame, among other ingredients, in its half Korenlanders Extra dark wholemeal tin loaf; the same ingredients don’t necessarily apply to other bread.
You can if the instructions for the bread you’ve chosen allow it. PLUS says its half Korenlanders Extra dark wholemeal tin loaf can be frozen on the day of purchase and used within one month; follow the packaging instructions for any other product.
