If you’re after a thicker slice for generous toppings, choose wholemeal bread that explicitly offers a thick-slice option. For one square tin loaf, Bakkerij Lamers lists a thick slice of 14,5 mm compared with a standard slice of 11,5 mm; these sizes don’t necessarily apply to other breads. If speed is your priority at breakfast, also check how much preparation is needed, how much bread you get and what the label says.
If you want a thicker slice for toppings such as cheese or egg, or for a toasted sandwich, look for a stated slicing option. For one wholemeal square tin loaf, Bakkerij Lamers offers a 14,5 mm slice alongside its standard 11,5 mm slice.
If you have little time to prepare breakfast on weekdays, consider whether the bread is ready to use and how much you need at once. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends dividing bread into portions straight after buying it if you plan to freeze it.
If ingredients, fibre, salt or allergens affect your choice, compare the information for the specific loaf. A name such as ‘coarse’ or a dark colour won’t tell you how thick the slices are.
First decide whether slice thickness, ingredients or weekday convenience matters most to you. Assess each separately: a bread name or shape doesn’t confirm how thick the slices are.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Thick slices | Ask about the slice thickness or choose a loaf with an explicitly stated slicing option. ‘Coarse’ and ‘firm’ aren’t measurements. | If you want to add generous toppings or serve a snack on a thicker slice, the slicing option needs to be clear. For around 33% of consumers, slice thickness is the top priority. |
| Ingredients | Check the product description, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information per 100 g; compare fibre and salt on the same basis. | If you choose bread based on its ingredients, you’ll want to know what you’re actually buying before considering its shape. For around 42% of consumers, checking this is the first priority. |
| Weekday convenience | Check local availability, how much bread you get and whether it needs preparing. Choose an amount that suits how much you use. | If you need breakfast on the table quickly, you won’t want to prepare bread every morning. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this everyday convenience. |
A bread name doesn’t necessarily describe the slice thickness. The 11,5 and 14,5 mm sizes given by Bakkerij Lamers relate to the slicing options for one specific loaf.
Ask how thick the slices are or check whether you can choose the thickness when ordering.
Ingredients and allergens vary from loaf to loaf. For unpackaged bread, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must be available before purchase.
Read the label on packaged bread, and ask the baker or bakery counter about the allergens in the product you’ve chosen.
If you won’t get through the bread in time, a half loaf or freezing it in portions may suit how much you use better.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions straight after buying it if you plan to store it in the freezer.
The bread name won’t tell you which salt was used in that particular product.
If it matters to you whether the bread contains iodised salt, check the ingredients list or ask the seller or manufacturer.
Albert Heijn offers several types of wholemeal bread, including whole, half and sliced loaves.
Jumbo’s range includes fine, coarse and firm breads, as well as wholemeal bread for toasted sandwiches.
PLUS offers coarse wholemeal bread, among other options. Ingredients and nutritional information are listed for the PLUS Coarse Wholemeal Whole Loaf.
ALDI offers several whole and half wholemeal loaves, including an extra-high-fibre option.
Dirk’s range includes farmhouse, round and square tin wholemeal loaves from Bakker van der Akker.
Lidl publishes ingredient and allergen information for its fresh-from-the-oven bread range.
These round wholemeal loaves are options if you can fit the preparation into your breakfast routine. If you want thick slices, check how the bread can be sliced after baking before you buy it; the product name doesn’t specify a thickness.
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For anyone who likes to plan ahead and has time to defrost, bake and cool the bread before breakfast. The product name lists two 550 g loaves; check whether you can slice them to your preferred thickness afterwards.
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For anyone looking for a round wholemeal loaf who can allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling. The product name lists 550 g; check the slicing options if thick slices are essential.
No. Don’t assume one thickness applies to every loaf. For its Volkoren casino vierkant, Bakkerij Lamers lists 14,5 mm for the thick-slice option and 11,5 mm for the standard slice. Ask about the slice thickness for any other loaf.
Ask the baker or bakery counter before you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information for unpackaged food must also be available before purchase.
Freeze any bread you plan to use later in portions straight after buying it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says opened wholemeal bread keeps for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard and for 1 to 3 months in the freezer.
Check the ingredients list for the loaf you’ve chosen or ask the seller or manufacturer. Don’t rely on the word ‘wholemeal’ alone to tell you which salt has been used.
