Fans of thick slices
You want to make generously topped snacks, open sandwiches or toasties, and choose the thickness yourself. A whole, unsliced loaf gives you that flexibility; check before buying that it hasn’t already been sliced.
Who benefits from cutting their own slices?
Shoppers who care about the type of bread
As well as choosing the slice thickness you want, you’d like to choose between wholemeal and other types of bread. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is high in fibre; the type of bread alone won’t tell you how thick the slices are.
Label readers
You want to check the ingredients and allergens, or find out whether iodised salt has been used. For packaged bread, read the latest label; for unpackaged bread, ask for the product information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that using baking salt is not compulsory.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking whether you can slice the bread yourself. Then choose a type of bread that suits your snack and check any information that matters for your choice of ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting thick slices yourself | Check that the whole loaf is supplied unsliced and that its shape suits the slices you want to make. | For generously topped snacks, I want to choose how thick to cut my slices rather than be limited to pre-sliced bread. Around 50% of consumers put this control first. |
| Type of bread and fibre | Check that it’s labelled wholemeal and, if you like, compare the fibre per 100 g; multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal. | For my fakeaway night, I want to choose between types of bread with confidence, without assuming the slice thickness from the name. For around 30% of consumers, the choice of bread matters most. |
| Ingredients and salt | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information. If it’s relevant to your choice, check whether baking salt or iodised salt is listed. | Before buying, I need to be able to check which ingredients the bread contains and which allergens are listed. Around 20% of consumers give this check top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘whole’ means ‘unsliced’
A whole loaf may already be sliced, which means you can no longer choose the thickness yourself.
Check how the bread is supplied. If it’s unsliced, cut one slice first to see whether the thickness works with your toppings.
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Mistaking multigrain for wholemeal
The names don’t mean the same thing. Visible grains or seeds don’t, by themselves, confirm that a loaf is wholemeal.
Look for the wholemeal label and read the ingredients list if that matters to you.
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Assuming every loaf contains iodised baking salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baking salt is not compulsory. So the name of the bread won’t tell you which salt has been used.
Check the ingredients for baking salt or iodised salt, or ask about it when buying unpackaged bread.
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Skipping the allergen information
The ingredients in bread vary from product to product. With unpackaged bread, the allergen information also isn’t always on packaging you can take away with you.
For packaged bread, read the latest label. For unpackaged bread, ask about the allergen information before buying.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel. The product information helps you compare the ingredients and nutritional value of this bread.
- The range includes a whole multigrain artisan loaf that could be a good starting point for cutting your own slices.
- Check that your chosen variety is unsliced and read the latest packaging; product information can change.
Jumbo
In a recipe for a generously topped dish, Jumbo specifically recommends thickly sliced bread that you cut yourself. The retailer also describes rustic sourdough loaves.
- The recipe shows when it can be useful to choose the slice thickness yourself.
- Jumbo says its sourdough loaves baked in store aren’t available to order online. Check what’s available at the store you’re visiting.
ALDI
ALDI lists several types of whole loaf, including multigrain artisan bread and wholemeal bread.
- For the bread types listed, you can consider both the shape and whether they’re labelled wholemeal.
- ‘Whole’ doesn’t confirm that a loaf is supplied unsliced; check the details of the product you choose.
PLUS
PLUS lists products including Korenlanders donker vloer heel and several sourdough varieties.
- The listed types give you options for comparing an artisan loaf with sourdough varieties.
- Check whether each variety is unsliced; the bread’s name doesn’t guarantee extra-thick slices.
Dirk
Dirk lists a whole multigrain artisan loaf and a whole wholemeal artisan loaf.
- The separate product names make it easy to compare a multigrain option with a wholemeal one.
- Dirk’s description of the multigrain bread as ‘firm’ doesn’t tell you how thick you can slice it or how well it’ll hold toppings at home.
Bread to bake and slice at home
These round loaves from Joybuy are options if you want to bake them at home and then cut your own slices. Check when choosing that the bread is supplied unsliced; the thickness you want and how well it holds plenty of toppings also depend on how you slice and use it.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g
A round wholemeal option for anyone who wants to factor in the type of bread and slice it at home.
Round bread weighing 550 g. Allow time to defrost, bake and cool before slicing.
Check that the bread is supplied unsliced and read the latest allergen information on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g
A round multigrain option if you’re looking for that type of bread and want to slice it yourself after baking.
Round bread weighing 550 g. It needs to be defrosted, baked and cooled before slicing.
Multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal. Also check that the bread is supplied unsliced and read the latest allergen information.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Natural Rustic Round Bread 550 g
A round rustic-style option if you want to bake it at home and cut your own slices for a snack.
Round bread weighing 550 g. Allow time to defrost, bake and cool before slicing.
Check that the bread is supplied unsliced. If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread, don’t choose based on the rustic name alone.
Frequently asked questions
Which bread should I choose if I really want thick slices?
Choose a whole loaf that’s supplied unsliced, so you can decide on the thickness at home. Jumbo also uses thickly sliced bread that you cut yourself in a recipe for a generously topped dish; for a specific product, check that it hasn’t already been sliced.
Is multigrain bread also wholemeal?
No, the term multigrain doesn’t by itself confirm that bread is wholemeal. Check the wholemeal label and ingredients list if you specifically want wholemeal bread, and separately check whether you can cut it thick yourself.
Is all bread made with iodised baking salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baking salt is not compulsory. Check the label or ask which salt has been used for unpackaged bread, rather than trying to tell from the type of bread.
How do I check allergens in bread from a bakery?
Before buying, ask for the allergen information for that particular bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that information for unpackaged food must be available in a way other than on packaging; for pre-packed bread, read the latest label.
How should I store leftover wholemeal bread?
You can freeze leftover wholemeal bread in portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives a storage time of 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer for wholemeal bread; also check the storage instructions for the bread you buy.