Who is this choice relevant to?

Breakfast lovers who like generous toppings

You want bread for toppings such as egg or cheese, or for a toasted sandwich. Don’t just look at the name of the bread; check how it’s sliced and the slices you’ll actually be buying.

Breakfast lovers who look for wholemeal and fibre

You’re looking for bread that suits your preference for wholemeal, without losing sight of the texture you want. For specific products, compare the product description and nutritional information per 100 g.

Breakfast lovers who plan ahead

You’re buying bread for several breakfasts and want to know what quantity is right for you. Check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on the packaging of the product you choose.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide what matters most to you for your weekend breakfast: choosing the slice thickness yourself, wholemeal and fibre, the ingredients or how much you can store. Then check the other details of the bread you’re planning to buy.

What to consider What to look for Who it matters to
Slice thickness and texture Check whether the bread is whole or pre-sliced. If it’s pre-sliced, look at the slices themselves. If I want generous toppings or am making a toasted sandwich, I want to see in advance whether the slices are suitable. This firmness is the top priority for around 27% of consumers.
Wholemeal and fibre Read the product description and compare the amount of fibre per 100 g in similar breads. I choose my breakfast bread mainly for its wholemeal content and fibre, but still want a texture I enjoy. This nutritional choice matters most to around 33% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen; you can also compare the salt content per 100 g. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I can’t rely on the name of the bread. This check is the top priority for around 20% of consumers.
Quantity and storage Check the pack size and storage instructions, including any advice on freezing. A whole loaf only suits my weekend plans if I can use or store the rest. This is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a type of bread for a slice size

    Wholemeal refers to the grain used, multigrain means several types of grain are used, and sourdough refers to a method of preparation. None of these names tells you how thick the slices of the bread you choose will be.

    Look at pre-sliced bread in the shop, or choose a whole loaf if you want to cut the slices to your preferred thickness.

  • Skipping the allergen check on rustic bread

    The name or appearance of a bread doesn’t tell you which allergens are in the variety you’ve chosen. For example, PLUS lists wheat, barley and soya in its Boeren volkoren heel.

    If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the current allergen information on the exact pack you’re buying.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan

    You may have bread left over after a few weekend breakfasts. Voedingscentrum lists bread as one of the foods that is often wasted.

    Consider buying a smaller amount, or follow the freezing advice on the packaging if you want to use a whole loaf over several breakfasts.

Brands and shops to consider

Albert Heijn

At Albert Heijn, you can browse wholemeal bread and pre-sliced varieties, among other options, to compare their texture and how they’re sliced.

  • The product information for AH Liefde & Passie Petit volkoren gesneden lists the ingredients for that specific variety.
  • A rustic or sourdough name doesn’t confirm a particular slice thickness. Albert Heijn advises checking the current packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers fine wholemeal and multigrain wholemeal bread, among other options, so you can explore different types of bread.

  • The range includes Jumbo Fijn Volkoren and Jumbo Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen.
  • A category overview won’t tell you how thick the slices are in each individual loaf.

Lidl

At Lidl, you can compare fresh-from-the-oven, pre-packed and bake-at-home bread.

  • These different product types give you several ways to choose bread for breakfast.
  • The fresh range may vary by store. Check in store whether the bread is sold whole or pre-sliced.

ALDI

ALDI offers fine wholemeal, farmhouse bread and a separate extra-high-fibre wholemeal variety, among other options.

  • The different names can help you focus on the product description and nutritional information.
  • A nutritional claim for one variety doesn’t automatically apply to other breads, and tells you nothing about slice thickness.

PLUS

A specific wholemeal variety from PLUS shows which product details you can compare before buying.

  • For Boeren volkoren heel, PLUS lists details including ingredients, allergens, nutritional information per 100 g and storage advice.
  • PLUS warns that product information may change, so check the packaging of the bread you choose too.

Dirk

At Dirk, you can browse a whole farmhouse wholemeal loaf as one breakfast option.

  • Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren heel is one example of a wholemeal loaf sold whole.
  • Check the loaf itself to make sure it’s sliced the way you want and has the right slice thickness.

Bread options at Joybuy

These options include two round loaves that, according to the product information, you bake at home and then slice yourself, as well as a rye product for anyone who would also like to consider a wholemeal variety. Check the shape of the rye product before buying: the title and description refer to it differently.

Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf 550 g

An option if you want to cut slices to suit generous toppings, once the bread has been baked and cooled.

  • Round wholemeal loaf, 550 g.
  • The bread needs to be defrosted and baked at home. Check the baking time on the packaging, as the product descriptions give different times.
View at Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij round multigrain country loaf, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij round multigrain country loaf 550 g

An option if you’re looking for a round multigrain loaf that you can slice yourself after baking and cooling.

  • Round multigrain loaf, 550 g; the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that it’s wholemeal.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging. Read the baking instructions too, as the product descriptions give different baking times.
View at Joybuy
Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g

Bolletje Rye Bread Bun 500 g

A rye option if the type of bread is your main consideration for weekend breakfast, rather than a guaranteed thick slice.

  • 500 g pack.
  • The title says ‘bun’, while the description refers to sliced rye bread. Check the product’s shape and slice thickness before buying.
  • If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the current allergen information.
View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How should I store a wholemeal loaf for several weekend breakfasts?

Follow the storage advice on the packaging of that loaf. For Boeren volkoren heel, PLUS says you can store it in a cool, dry place away from light and freeze it on the day of purchase. For this variety, PLUS recommends using it within one month of freezing.

Are multigrain bread and wholemeal bread the same thing?

No. According to Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain; the name doesn’t automatically mean the bread is wholemeal. Check the product description and ingredients if wholemeal is your main priority.