Older people who enjoy a substantial slice of bread
If you can chew without difficulty, you can look for a slice that’s easy to manage with your preferred topping at coffee time. Consider the type of bread and the portion as well as the thickness.
Who should take care when choosing bread?
Older people with a smaller appetite
A large slice isn’t automatically the right portion. Think about what the person will find comfortable to eat, and choose bread and toppings with the nutritional information in mind.
Carers looking out for comfortable chewing and swallowing
Voedingscentrum highlights chewing and swallowing difficulties as something to consider when planning food for older people. If someone has these difficulties, don’t rely on descriptions such as ‘substantial’ or ‘soft’; follow individual advice on the right texture.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, consider whether the slice is comfortable to eat. Then choose the type of bread, and finally check whether the portion works with your topping. According to Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread in particular contains fibre, vitamins and minerals. Slice thickness doesn’t tell you whether bread is wholemeal.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Chewing and swallowing comfort | Check how soft the crumb is and assess the crust. If you have difficulty swallowing, follow individual advice on texture. | If a slice is difficult to chew, a substantial shape won’t make it any easier for me to enjoy with coffee. Chewing comfort matters most to around 45% of consumers. |
| Type of bread | Check for the ‘wholemeal’ label and, if you like, compare the nutritional information per 100 g. | I don’t just want a thick slice; I also want to know what type of bread I’m choosing. For around 33% of consumers, the type of bread is the top priority. |
| Sturdiness and portion size | Consider the slice with the topping you plan to use, and check the weight per slice if it’s listed. | With a topping, I want a slice that’s easy to handle without making the portion too large for me. This is the top priority for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘thick-sliced’ means easy to eat
Slice thickness doesn’t tell you how hard the crust is or whether the crumb feels dry and coarse. This matters particularly if chewing or swallowing is difficult.
Assess the slice with the topping you want to use. If you have known swallowing difficulties, follow individual advice on texture rather than relying on a general description of the bread.
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Looking only at thickness
Thick, thin, fine and coarse don’t tell you whether bread is wholemeal. According to Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread in particular contains fibre, vitamins and minerals.
Check the type of bread first, then compare the crumb, crust and slice thickness for coffee time.
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Assuming a large slice is always the right portion
The description ‘thick-sliced’ doesn’t tell you how much a slice weighs. If someone has a smaller appetite, the amount they’re comfortable eating may matter more than the size of the slice.
Check the weight per slice if it’s listed, and adjust the portion and topping to suit their appetite.
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Assuming every loaf uses the same baker’s salt
The name of the bread alone doesn’t tell you what salt was used in that particular product.
If iodine content matters to your choice, check the product information or ask the baker.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s bread range includes a variety of wholemeal breads and bread shapes.
- There are sliced and unsliced options to consider individually.
- A description of the range doesn’t tell you how thick or soft the slice of your chosen bread will be, so check the product details.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s wholemeal bread range includes fine, coarse and substantial varieties.
- These descriptions can help you choose bread with the texture you prefer.
- ‘Fine’, ‘coarse’ and ‘substantial’ don’t specify the exact slice thickness, and can’t replace assessing the bread the person will be eating.
Bread options on Joybuy
Matching products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is thick-sliced bread automatically suitable for older people?
No. A thick slice is suitable only if the person can chew and eat it comfortably. If they have difficulty chewing or swallowing, thickness doesn’t indicate the right texture, so follow individual advice.
Does a thick slice affect whether bread is wholemeal?
No. Slice thickness and type of bread are separate characteristics. Check for the ‘wholemeal’ label separately. According to Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread in particular contains fibre, vitamins and minerals.
Does all bread contain iodine from baker’s salt?
You can’t assume this of every type of bread. Check the ingredients for the product you’ve chosen, or ask the baker what salt was used if this matters to your choice.
What if chewing, swallowing or eating enough becomes difficult?
Discuss chewing or swallowing difficulties and unintentional weight loss with your GP, or follow any existing individual advice from a healthcare professional. In this situation, don’t choose bread based solely on the description on the packaging.