Who are the different types of bread for?

Breakfast lovers who like generous toppings

If you want large slices for toppings such as egg, avocado or cheese, look for a stated slice thickness. With an unsliced loaf, you can choose the thickness yourself.

Shoppers who want to toast straight away

Pre-sliced bread saves you the effort of cutting and gives you evenly sliced bread for toast or toasties. If you’re specifically looking for thick slices, check the thickness separately.

Shoppers who compare labels

If you eat bread regularly, you can compare fibre and salt per 100 g, as well as the ingredients and allergens, alongside the type of loaf. Check the label if you want to know whether the bread is made with baker’s salt.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want thick slices that are ready to eat or would rather slice the bread yourself. Then weigh up the convenience of pre-sliced bread against the preparation needed for bake-at-home bread, and check the information on the label.

Thick-sliced white bread

Choose this if: you want thick slices straight away and the product information clearly states the slice thickness.

Consider: a loaf with thicker slices may have fewer slices in total, so check the number if it matters for your breakfast.

Whole or unsliced white bread

Choose this if: you want to decide the thickness yourself at home.

Consider: slicing it yourself takes time, and the slices may not be even.

Standard-sliced white bread

Choose this if: ready-to-use, evenly sliced bread matters more than having a confirmed thick slice.

Consider: names such as ‘casino’ and ‘toastie’ don’t, on their own, confirm a particular slice thickness.

White bake-at-home bread

Choose this if: you want to bake warm bread for breakfast.

Consider: you’ll need time to prepare it, and it won’t give you evenly sliced, ready-to-use bread.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Slice thickness Look for a thickness measurement in mm or a clearly stated number of slices. Choose unsliced bread if you want to decide the thickness yourself. If I want generous toppings, I need to know how thick the slices really are rather than relying on the name of the loaf. Around 33% of consumers give this need top priority.
Convenience Check whether the bread is sold sliced or unsliced; for pre-sliced bread, check the number of slices if needed. If I want to make toast or toasties quickly, I want to get started without having to slice the bread. For around 20% of consumers, this convenience matters most.
Label Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and read the ingredients and allergen information. Check whether baker’s salt is listed for the specific loaf. When bread is a regular part of my meals, I also want to be able to assess its nutritional information and ingredients. Checking the label comes first for around 27% of consumers.
Baking at home Check the preparation instructions, shelf life and storage conditions for the bake-at-home bread. On Sunday mornings, I’m happy to take the time to bake warm bread; evenly sliced sandwiches matter less. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the name of the bread means the slices are thick

    White bread, casino loaves and toastie bread don’t automatically come in a particular slice thickness. You could end up buying pre-sliced bread when what you really wanted was thicker slices.

    Check the stated thickness or number of slices for the specific loaf. If choosing the thickness yourself matters more, look for an unsliced option.

  • Assuming every loaf is made with baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt. So you can’t assume that one loaf has the same ingredients as another.

    Check the packaging of your chosen loaf to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed among the ingredients.

  • Confusing slice thickness with nutritional value

    Thick slices don’t tell you anything about the fibre, salt or ingredients in a loaf. If you eat bread regularly, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as often as possible.

    If it matters to your choice, compare the nutritional information per 100 g, separately from the slice shape you want.

  • Storing fresh bread in the fridge

    Bakker den Dulk says that bread goes stale more quickly in the fridge.

    Follow the storage advice for the specific loaf, and freeze portions if you want to keep them for longer.

Brands and retailers to explore

These ranges show different types of white bread. Check each loaf to see whether it’s sold sliced and whether the slice thickness you want is stated.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s online range includes both sliced and unsliced white loaves.

  • An unsliced option lets you choose the slice thickness yourself at home.
  • For pre-sliced bread, check the slice thickness separately.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s online range includes white bread, casino and toastie options, and white bake-at-home bread.

  • The different types make it easier to choose between ready-to-use slices and bread to bake at home.
  • A product name such as ‘toastie’ or ‘casino’ doesn’t specify the slice thickness.

PLUS

PLUS’s online range includes different types of white bread, including casino loaves and boerenwit (farmhouse white bread).

  • The PLUS Boeren wit half product listing includes ingredients and nutritional information to help you assess that loaf.
  • Check the slice thickness separately if thick, pre-sliced bread is your main reason for buying.

Dirk

Dirk’s online range includes whole white loaves and a Batard wit (white batard).

  • The different types of loaf give you a starting point for choosing the shape you want for breakfast.
  • The description ‘Batard wit’ doesn’t confirm that the loaf has thick slices.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is thick-sliced white bread automatically suitable for generous toppings?

No. A stated slice thickness doesn’t confirm how well the bread holds up under heavy or moist toppings. Check the thickness if you want large slices, but don’t take that measurement as a promise of sturdiness.

Is Dutch bread always made with baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when baking bread isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients list for the specific loaf if you want to know whether it has been used.

What if I eat white bread regularly?

For regular bread consumption, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as often as possible. Choosing a thick slice for Sunday breakfast is a separate consideration from this general advice.

How can I check the allergens in white bread?

Read the allergen information on the current packaging of the exact loaf. Ingredients can vary between products, so don’t assume what’s in the bread from the name ‘white bread’ alone.

How should I store bread until Sunday breakfast?

Follow the storage advice for the bread, and don’t automatically put fresh bread in the fridge: according to Bakker den Dulk, it goes stale more quickly there. If you want to keep bread for longer, you can freeze it in portions.