Easter lunch shoppers planning portions
If you’re serving several sandwiches, it makes a difference whether you buy a half or a whole loaf. Check the weight or number of slices before deciding how many loaves you’ll need.
Who is this useful for?
Hosts who want to share bread
For a bread basket, individual rolls, baguettes or a round loaf may be better suited to the way you plan to serve the bread. Check in advance whether your local branch stocks the selection you want.
Shoppers who need to check ingredients
If someone has a food allergy or follows a gluten-free diet, the packaging for the specific product is what matters. Standard white wheat bread is not gluten-free, so check for any other relevant allergens too.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how many people are eating and how you plan to serve the bread. Then check when you’re shopping and, where necessary, read the label on each product you choose.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Enough sandwiches | Compare half loaves with half loaves, and whole loaves with whole loaves. Where possible, check the weight and number of slices. | If I’m serving lots of sandwiches, I want to know whether one loaf will be enough for everyone. Around 36% of consumers put having enough portions first. |
| Size for lunch | Choose between sliced bread, individual rolls and baguettes based on the number of people and how you plan to serve them. | For a shared bread basket, I want bread that suits the fillings and the occasion. For around 29% of consumers, size is their first concern. |
| When you shop and what’s available | Check your branch’s opening hours and, for fresh bread, ask which types are available. | If you’re shopping just before Easter lunch, you don’t want to find the shop closed or the bread you want out of stock. Around 21% of consumers prioritise knowing when they can shop. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the label on the specific product for wheat, other relevant allergens and, if applicable, baker’s salt. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to know which bread I can serve them safely. For around 14% of consumers, checking the label is the most important consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Counting a half loaf as a whole loaf
When you’re feeding a larger group, these sizes won’t necessarily provide the same number of sandwiches.
First, work out how many portions you need. Then compare loaves of the same size, or check the stated weight and number of slices.
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Assuming you can shop as usual over Easter
According to the Dutch Government, Sunday opening hours vary between municipalities. The selection of fresh bread can also differ from branch to branch.
Check your shop’s opening hours and selection before setting off, or buy your bread earlier.
If your local branch is closed, you may need to make an extra trip.
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Assuming all white bread has the same ingredients
Ingredients and allergens vary between products and can change. So a label such as ‘white bread’ isn’t enough for guests with an allergy or following a gluten-free diet.
Read the label on each product you choose, and when serving, take care to avoid possible contact with other bread or serving utensils.
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Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt
The Dutch Nutrition Centre points out that not all bread is baked with baker’s salt. You can’t tell whether it has been used by looking at the bread’s colour.
If this information matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt.
Brands and shops to consider
These shops offer different types of white bread. Choose based on the product and the information from your local branch, rather than the shop name alone.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s online range includes AH Whole White, a sliced white loaf.
- The product information states that it has around 22 slices and contains iodised salt.
- Albert Heijn says that product and allergy information can change, so check the packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers several white breads, including half loaves of square tin loaf and tiger bread.
- Half loaves are clearly identified in the range.
- Check which product is available at your local branch.
Lidl
Lidl’s freshly baked range includes white rolls and Kaiser rolls.
- Individual rolls offer a different serving option from a sliced loaf.
- Lidl says its fresh range can vary from branch to branch.
ALDI
ALDI offers fresh white bread in half and whole sizes, as well as square tin white bread.
- The stated sizes can help you plan how much bread to buy.
- Check the range at the shop where you plan to shop.
PLUS
PLUS offers square tin white bread in half and whole sizes, as well as other types of white bread.
- The product information for PLUS Boeren White Whole lists the ingredients and allergens.
- PLUS warns that product information can change, so check the label on the product you choose.
Dirk
Dirk offers products including Bakker van der Akker Round White Whole and square tin white bread in half and whole sizes.
- A round loaf and a square tin loaf give you a choice of bread shapes.
- Choose a size to suit the number of people you’re feeding; a half loaf and a whole loaf don’t provide the same amount.
White rolls and baguettes at Joybuy
These products are suited to an Easter lunch with individual rolls or baguettes on the table. Use the stated number of items and weight to plan how much you’ll need for your guests. They are not whole or half sliced loaves.
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g'woon white baguettes, 2 pieces, 300 g
A pack of two baguettes for a lunch where you want to share the bread.
Contents: 2 pieces, 300 g in total. If you have allergies, check the packaging; wheat is listed for this product.
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g'woon white rolls, 4 pieces, 300 g
Four individual rolls, if you’d like to plan on one roll per guest.
Contents: 4 pieces, 300 g in total. If you have allergies, check the label; wheat and sesame are listed for this product.
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G'woon rustic white baguette, 250 g
A baguette for a lunch where you want to serve one loaf cut into pieces.
Contents: 250 g. If you have allergies, check the label; wheat and spelt are listed for this product.
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g'woon white baguette, 220 g
A baguette for a bread basket or to cut into pieces for lunch.
Contents: 220 g. Check the packaging to see whether it needs to be baked at home. If you have allergies, also check the ingredients and allergens; wheat, lupin and sesame are listed for this product.
Frequently asked questions
Does white bread always contain baker’s salt?
No, not all white bread is baked with baker’s salt. The Dutch Nutrition Centre advises checking the label to see whether it has been used; don’t assume it’s present based on the type or colour of the bread.
Can I serve standard white wheat bread to someone with coeliac disease?
No, standard white wheat bread is not gluten-free. Check the description and label of any specific product you choose, and avoid contact with crumbs or used serving utensils when serving it.
Can I still buy white bread on Easter Sunday?
It depends on the municipality and the branch. According to the Dutch Government, Sunday opening hours vary between municipalities, so check your shop’s opening hours before you rely on it being open.
Can I buy white bread in advance for Easter lunch?
Yes, as long as you follow the storage instructions for the bread you choose. Albert Heijn says that AH Whole White can be frozen; check the packaging for storage advice, and defrost frozen bread before serving.