Which option is right for you?

Families with fussy white-bread eaters

If familiar white bread’s taste and texture determine whether it gets eaten, white bread with extra fibre could be a stepping stone. Check the label rather than assuming that this type of bread is wholemeal.

Families who usually choose wholemeal

If you usually opt for wholemeal bread, consider whether your guests will be happy with a different taste and texture for the festive table. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible.

Hosts catering for different preferences

As well as the type of bread, think about the number of guests, the toppings and the allergen information. Choosing the right size helps avoid having too much bread left over after a single evening.

What should you look for when choosing?

Choosing bread for St Nicholas’ Eve starts with what your guests like to eat: a familiar white texture, bread made with wholemeal flour, or simply a size that suits the table.

White bread with extra fibre

Choose it when: a white taste and soft texture are a priority, but you also want to compare fibre content.

The trade-off: added fibre doesn’t turn a wheat-flour base into wholemeal flour.

Wholemeal bread

Choose it when: bread made with wholemeal flour is your starting point and your guests are happy with a different taste and texture.

The trade-off: that texture may not suit someone who only wants soft white bread.

Standard white bread

Choose it when: familiar white bread matters more for this occasion than trying a different type.

The trade-off: standard white bread isn’t the same product as white bread with extra fibre; compare the labels if fibre content matters.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it’s for
White texture and fibre Compare the fibre per 100 g and check whether the ingredients list wheat flour or wholemeal flour as the base. If soft white bread is what someone needs to join in, I want to choose a loaf without mistaking added fibre for wholemeal. For around 42% of consumers, that familiar white texture matters most.
Wholemeal flour Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on bread; a brown colour or the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean it’s made with wholemeal flour. If I mainly want to serve bread made with wholemeal flour, I’m happy for it to taste and feel different from white bread. Around 33% of consumers prioritise choosing wholemeal.
Size and allergens Choose a size to suit the number of guests and check the allergen information for the bread you’ve chosen. With several snacks on the table, I want enough bread for everyone without having lots left over; the product information should also be clear for guests with allergies. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this practical choice for the festive table.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘extra fibre’ means wholemeal

    White bread can contain added fibre while still using wheat flour as its base. If you’re looking for bread made with wholemeal flour, you could end up buying a different product by mistake.

    Read both the product name and the ingredients list. Then compare the fibre per 100 g in the breads you’re considering.

  • Assuming all bread contains baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So if this ingredient matters to you, don’t rely on the type of bread alone.

    Check the ingredients for baker’s salt, or ask which salt has been used when buying unwrapped bread.

  • Relying on colour or a fibre indicator alone

    A shelf label can help you make an initial choice, but it doesn’t give you all the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional values for a specific loaf.

    Also check the nutrition information per 100 g, the ingredients list and the allergen information on the product.

  • Buying a loaf that’s too large for one evening

    If bread is only one part of the festive spread, you could end up with a lot left over from a whole loaf.

    Choose a size to suit the number of guests and the other snacks. Freeze any unused portions according to the product’s storage advice.

Brands compared

For each of these brands, check the label on the individual loaf; the ingredients of one product don’t tell you anything about every bread in a brand’s range.

Jumbo

Jumbo has a specific example of white bread with extra fibre.

  • Product information for Jumbo White Bread with Extra Fibre - Half lists 7.3 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Jumbo said this product was no longer available in its online range. Check availability and the label on any bread you actually buy.

Albert Heijn

The bread range includes different types, such as wholemeal, multigrain and spelt bread.

  • You can compare individual types of bread by their ingredients and nutritional values.
  • Don’t assume that every white loaf contains extra fibre just because the range is broad; check the product you’ve chosen individually.

Lidl

Lidl lists white bread among its in-store products.

  • The white bread shown is listed as weighing 800 g.
  • Check the current ingredients, fibre content and allergens in store before comparing it with an alternative.

ALDI

The fresh daily range includes both white and wholemeal bread.

  • This gives you the option to compare white and wholemeal varieties product by product.
  • The fact that both types are available doesn’t mean the white option contains extra fibre.

PLUS

As well as standard white bread, PLUS sells white and wholemeal Korenlanders breads.

  • PLUS lists 2.4 g of fibre per 100 g for PLUS Korenlanders Round White.
  • The fibre indicator can help you choose, but check the nutrition information and ingredients for the exact loaf before buying.

Dirk

Dirk stocks various white breads and uses a fibre indicator for its Bakker van der Akker range.

  • The fibre indicator gives you a quick way to tell breads apart on the shelf.
  • To compare them, check the fibre per 100 g and the ingredients for the specific loaf.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is white bread with extra fibre the same as wholemeal bread?

No. Added fibre doesn’t automatically make white bread wholemeal. The Jumbo White Bread with Extra Fibre - Half described here uses wheat flour as its base; if you specifically want bread made with wholemeal flour, look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and check the ingredients of the product you’ve chosen.

Does all bread contain iodine from baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the label or ask which salt has been used for unwrapped bread if this matters to you.

What should I look for if a guest needs to avoid wheat or gluten?

Check the allergen information for the specific bread before buying; don’t rely on its colour or the words ‘extra fibre’. The Jumbo white bread with extra fibre described here contains wheat and gluten. Ask for the product information before serving unwrapped bread.

How can I avoid having lots of bread left over after St Nicholas’ Eve?

Choose a size that suits the number of guests and the other snacks, and freeze any bread you won’t use straight away in portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing white bread with fibre in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1 month; also follow the storage advice and date on your bread’s packaging.