Who is this choice relevant to?

Breakfast shoppers looking to save

You’re looking for a simple white loaf to last for several weekdays, and want to match the size of a whole or half loaf to how much your household eats.

Small households looking to reduce waste

You only use a few slices at a time and want a size you can finish, or a loaf you can freeze according to the packaging instructions.

Shoppers who want to check the label

You choose white bread for breakfast but want to check the fibre, salt, ingredients and allergen information for each variety.

What should you consider when choosing?

Work out how many slices you use on weekdays. Then consider whether you want to freeze your bread and which nutritional information matters to you.

What to consider What should you check? Who does this matter to?
Enough for several breakfasts Compare whole and half loaves by their contents and the number of slices you’ll actually use. If I eat bread on several weekdays, I want to be able to finish one pack. For around 46% of consumers, shopping economically is likely to be the main concern.
Size and storage Check the storage instructions and whether you can freeze your chosen variety on the day you buy it. Otherwise, slices get left over in my small household, although sometimes I want soft square-sliced bread for toasties. For around 27% of consumers, finding the right size is likely to be the priority.
Nutritional information and allergens Check the label for fibre and salt per 100 g, the ingredients and allergen information. I want to know what’s in the specific variety of bread I have for breakfast every day. For around 27% of consumers, the label is likely to be the main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Judging the size from ‘whole’ or ‘half’ alone

    Those labels don’t tell you how many slices you’ll actually use for breakfast.

    Check the contents of the exact pack and choose a quantity that suits how much you eat.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a plan for the rest

    In a small household, you may have slices left over. Albert Heijn and PLUS say that their respective whole white loaves can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.

    Choose a half loaf, or follow the freezing instructions on the packaging if you buy a whole loaf.

  • Assuming all white bread is the same

    Ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information apply to the exact variety, not to the bread’s colour or the supermarket in general.

    Check the latest label before buying if fibre, salt or specific ingredients matter to you.

  • Assuming every loaf contains iodised salt

    Seeing it listed on one product label tells you nothing about the ingredients in another loaf.

    Check the ingredients list for the variety you choose. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for AH Wit heel; PLUS lists baker’s salt for Boeren wit heel.

Brands to consider

ALDI

ALDI offers fresh white bread in whole and half-loaf sizes, as well as bake-at-home rolls.

  • Choosing between a whole and half loaf helps you match the quantity to how much bread you eat for breakfast.
  • Check the contents of the variety you want to buy.

Albert Heijn

The range includes standard white bread, square-sliced loaves, tiger loaves and hearth-baked bread.

  • The product information for AH Wit heel includes ingredients, nutritional values and freezing advice.
  • Check whether your chosen variety is available at your store or for your delivery slot.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers its own-brand white bread in half and whole loaves, including square-sliced and tiger loaves.

  • The range of sizes gives you options whether you eat a little or a lot of bread for breakfast.
  • Check the contents of each product; one variety doesn’t represent the entire range.

Lidl

Lidl distinguishes between freshly baked, pre-packed and bake-at-home bread.

  • For packaged loaves, Lidl uses a fibre meter to help you check the stated fibre content.
  • The fresh bread range may vary from one store to another.

PLUS

PLUS offers, among other varieties, white square-sliced bread, farmhouse bread and sourdough.

  • The product information for PLUS Boeren wit heel lists ingredients, allergens and freezing advice.
  • Use the details for the exact variety; you can’t tell how varieties differ from the brand name alone.

Dirk

Dirk offers white bread varieties such as square-sliced bread, bâtard loaves and farmhouse bread.

  • Dirk describes its Casino wit half as an option for a sandwich or toastie.
  • Check the size and label of your chosen variety before comparing it with another loaf.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does all white bread contain iodised salt?

Don’t assume it does: check the ingredients list for the specific loaf. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for AH Wit heel, while PLUS lists baker’s salt for Boeren wit heel.

Can I freeze a whole white loaf if I only use a few slices?

The product pages for AH Wit heel and PLUS Boeren wit heel say you can freeze the bread at home on the day you buy it. PLUS recommends using its bread within one month of freezing. Follow the instructions on the packaging you buy.

What if I want to keep an eye on fibre at breakfast?

Check the stated fibre content per 100 g for the exact variety of bread. AH Wit heel lists 1,6 g per 100 g. For everyday bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible.

Which allergens should I check in white bread?

Read the allergen information on the exact pack. PLUS Boeren wit heel lists wheat, soya and milk among its allergens; that product information doesn’t automatically apply to another white loaf.