Families who enjoy substantial lunches and snacks
For households that like making generously filled sandwiches or toasties. Don’t just check whether the bread is sliced: also look at how thick the slices are, or whether you can slice it yourself.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Families who want to eat wholemeal bread every day
For families who look for wholemeal options when choosing their everyday bread. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread contains fibre, vitamins and minerals; the word ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are.
Larger households looking to store bread
For households that buy several loaves at once but won’t eat them all straight away. The Voedingscentrum recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it, then taking out what you need each day.
What should you look for when choosing?
First choose the type of bread your family wants to eat. Then check how it’s sliced and decide how much you’ll use straight away or freeze.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Substantial slices | Check the actual slice thickness or ask whether the bread can be sliced to your preferred thickness. With an unsliced loaf, you can choose the thickness yourself. | For generously filled sandwiches and toasties, I want slices that are the right thickness for how I’ll use them. This is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal for everyday eating | Check whether the option is labelled wholemeal, then separately check whether the loaf is whole or sliced. | If the family wants to eat wholemeal bread every day, I choose the type of bread first and the slice thickness afterwards. The wholemeal choice matters most to around 30% of consumers. |
| Stock and food waste | Choose whole or half loaves to suit how much you use. The Voedingscentrum recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it. | When not everyone at home eats the same amount of bread, I want to be able to take out what’s needed that day without defrosting a whole loaf. Managing supplies is the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘sliced’ means ‘thickly sliced’
Terms such as ‘whole’, ‘half’ or ‘sliced’ don’t tell you how thick each slice is. That matters if you’re buying bread for substantial snacks or toasties.
Check the slice thickness for the product you’ve chosen, or ask at the bakery counter about slicing options before buying several loaves.
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Buying several loaves without a storage plan
Buying more bread only helps if you can use it in time. Bread left uneaten can lose quality or go off.
Buy whole and half loaves to match how much you actually use, and follow the Voedingscentrum’s advice to freeze bread in portions as soon as you buy it.
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Confusing wholemeal with a slice size
‘Wholemeal’ describes the type of bread, not the thickness or firmness of an individual slice.
Check the wholemeal label and how the bread is sliced separately, especially if you plan to use it for both everyday eating and toasties.
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Assuming every loaf contains iodised baker’s salt
According to NBC/Brood.net, the use of iodised baker’s salt in the Netherlands is covered by an agreement and is not a legal requirement. So the ingredients can vary from one loaf to another.
Check the ingredients list of your chosen bread if the type of salt used matters to you.
Brands and shops to consider
These shops’ bread ranges give you options to consider when choosing a type and size of loaf. Check how the particular option you want to buy is sliced.
Albert Heijn
The online bread range includes sliced loaves and wholemeal options.
- Product names such as ‘whole loaf, sliced’ can help you choose a size.
- Check how thick the slices are for the option you’ve chosen.
Jumbo
The online category includes loaves as well as part-baked bread and rolls.
- Whole and half loaves make it easier to choose an amount that suits your household.
- If you’re looking for thickly sliced bread, check the slice thickness separately.
ALDI
The fresh bread range includes wholemeal and multigrain bread.
- Different types of bread and whole or half loaves offer a range of options for your family.
- The type or size of a loaf doesn’t, on its own, mean it has thick slices.
PLUS
The online range includes round loaves, hearth-baked loaves and sourdough options.
- Different shapes and sizes of bread help you choose the type and amount you need.
- Ask how the bread is sliced if a particular slice thickness matters to you.
Dirk
The bread category includes wholemeal, multigrain and sourdough bread.
- Whole and half loaves let you match your purchase to how much you use.
- Check the slice thickness for the specific sliced option.
Lidl
For larger local orders of rolls, Lidl advises contacting your branch.
- Lidl says you can ask in branch about ordering larger quantities of rolls.
- Ask your chosen branch which loaves are available and what slicing options it offers.
Bread to slice yourself at Joybuy
These round loaves are a good choice if you want to slice them yourself after baking. You can decide how thick to make the slices when you cut the bread; check the baking instructions on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 2 × 550 g
The pack of two loaves suits a household that wants to buy several loaves at once and slice them itself after baking.
Check the storage and baking instructions on the packaging before stocking up.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 550 g
This single loaf is an option if you want to buy wholemeal bread and choose the slice thickness yourself after baking.
Let the bread cool before slicing it, and follow the baking instructions on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round multigrain country loaf, 550 g
This single multigrain loaf is a good choice if you want to slice the bread yourself after baking.
If you specifically want wholemeal bread, check the label and ingredients on the packaging: ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘wholemeal’.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘sliced’ mean the bread has thick slices?
No, ‘sliced’ on its own doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. Check the option you’ve chosen or ask at the bakery counter about the thickness and any slicing options, especially if you’re buying several loaves for toasties or substantial sandwiches.
How should I store several loaves for a large family?
Follow the Voedingscentrum’s advice to freeze bread in portions as soon as you buy it, then take out what you need each day. That way, you won’t have to defrost a whole loaf for a smaller meal.
Is iodised baker’s salt legally required in Dutch bread?
No, according to NBC/Brood.net, the use of iodised baker’s salt in the Netherlands is based on an agreement and isn’t a legal requirement. Overheid.nl says that the use of iodised salt is encouraged. Check the ingredients list if the type of salt used matters to your choice.
Can I order a large quantity of rolls from Lidl in advance?
Ask your chosen branch about the options for placing a large order of rolls, as Lidl itself advises. You can also ask which types are available and whether they can be sliced the way you want.