Snack-makers who like plenty of topping
You want a slice that works well with the amount of topping you add. Check the slice thickness and the texture of the bread itself, either in store or through the packaging.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Wholemeal fans looking for food on the go
You want to be able to tell at a glance whether you’re choosing bread made with wholemeal flour. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread labelled ‘wholemeal’ is made from 100% wholemeal flour; check the slice separately if sturdiness matters too.
Small households looking to reduce waste
You only need a few slices and want to keep the rest for later. Choose a suitable size or freeze the bread in portions. For opened wholemeal bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide recommends keeping it in the freezer for 1–3 months.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the snack you want to make: assess the slice for your topping, then check whether the bread is sliced, what flour label it carries and how much you need.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice sturdiness | Check the actual slice thickness and decide whether the slice will work with your topping; don’t judge thickness by the shape of the loaf. | If I’m adding plenty of topping, I want a slice that works well for it. Around 34% of consumers put slice sturdiness first. |
| Ready to use | Check whether the bread is already sliced and whether the version you want is available in store. | If I want to make a snack straight away, I don’t want to have to slice the bread first. Around 33% of consumers prioritise convenience. |
| Wholemeal label | Look for ‘wholemeal’ if you want wholemeal bread; compare the nutritional information on the packaging of the products you’re considering. | I want to be able to check which flour has been used in my bread when I’m shopping in a hurry. The wholemeal label is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Quantity and storage | Choose a whole or half loaf to suit your needs, and consider how you’ll store any leftover slices. | If I only need a few slices, I want to stop the rest going stale. That’s why around 13% of consumers prioritise quantity and storage. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘wholemeal’ means ‘thick-sliced’
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the ‘wholemeal’ label refers to the flour, not the size or sturdiness of a slice.
Use the label to choose your type of bread, then check the slice separately to see if it suits your topping.
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Using the loaf’s shape as a guide to slice thickness
Names such as hearth-baked, farmhouse, round and rustic don’t tell you how many millimetres thick each slice is.
Check the sliced bread or its packaging before deciding whether the slices will work for your snack.
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Buying a whole loaf when you only need a few slices
If you don’t use much bread, the rest could go stale before you get round to eating it.
Choose a suitable size or freeze the slices in portions soon after buying. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide, opened wholemeal bread can be kept in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days and in the freezer for 1–3 months.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s wholemeal range includes hearth-baked loaves, round loaves and toast bread.
- You can use the different loaf shapes as a starting point when choosing.
- Check the slices of each loaf and whether it’s available at your local store.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers fine wholemeal bread, as well as farmhouse and multigrain varieties.
- The product names help you tell the different types of bread apart.
- They don’t tell you how thick the individual slices are, so check the bread or its packaging.
Lidl
Lidl lists an 800 g sliced artisan wholemeal loaf, among other products.
- The ‘sliced’ label is useful if you want to add your topping straight away.
- Check the slice thickness and availability in store.
Aldi
Aldi lists fine sliced wholemeal bread, as well as a separate extra-high-fibre wholemeal loaf.
- The ‘sliced’ label tells you which version is already cut into slices.
- Check the slice thickness and nutritional information on the loaf you choose.
PLUS
PLUS’s wholemeal range includes round fine wholemeal bread, tiger bread and sourdough varieties.
- You can compare loaf shapes and product information for each item.
- Words such as ‘rustic’ or ‘whole’ in a product name don’t confirm that the slices are thick.
Dirk
Dirk offers wholemeal options in different shapes, including round, farmhouse and hearth-baked loaves.
- Some loaves are available in half and whole sizes.
- Check the actual slice if you’re looking for bread to hold plenty of topping.
Bread at Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘wholemeal’ mean bread is thick-sliced?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘wholemeal’ means bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. The label says nothing about the thickness or sturdiness of a slice, so check this separately if you want to add plenty of topping.
Is brown or farmhouse bread automatically suitable for a hearty snack?
No, those names don’t confirm a particular slice thickness. For a hearty snack, check the actual slices and look separately for the ‘wholemeal’ label if the type of flour matters to you.
How long can I keep opened wholemeal bread?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. If you only need a few slices, freeze the rest in portions and take out only what you need.
Does all bread contain iodised baker’s salt?
That isn’t what the rule described by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says. Iodine compounds may be present in bread if baker’s salt containing no more than 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt is added; this doesn’t mean that all bread contains that salt. Check the ingredients information or ask the baker about a particular loaf.