Who is this useful for?

If you’re buying bread for yourself for the first time

You’re looking for a simple white loaf for your first food shop and want to know whether you’re buying half a loaf or a whole one. When comparing options, check the loaf shape and weight too.

A small household

You may not eat much bread every day. Half a loaf could be a better fit for how much you use. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also says you can freeze bread in portions as soon as you’ve bought it.

If you need to check the label

If you have an allergy, the ingredients and allergen information matter more than the shape of the loaf. If you want to know whether baker’s salt was used, check the ingredients or ask about unwrapped bread.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, work out how much bread you’re likely to use. Then compare the loaf shape and weight, and check the ingredients that matter to you before buying.

What to consider What to check Who it matters most to
Loaf shape and weight Compare like with like: half a loaf with half a loaf, or a whole loaf with a whole loaf. Check the stated weight too. For my first food shop, I want to compare simple white loaves without treating half a tin loaf as the same as a whole tiger loaf. Around 42% of consumers prioritise being able to make like-for-like comparisons.
Quantity and storage Choose a size that suits how much you use, or freeze a whole loaf in portions as soon as you get home. If I don’t eat much bread, I want to avoid leaving slices unused. For around 33% of consumers, choosing the right quantity matters most.
Ingredients and nutritional information Check the allergen information and, if it matters to your choice, whether baker’s salt is listed. I want to know which ingredients and allergens the bread contains before I buy it. Around 25% of consumers prioritise checking this information.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming half and whole loaves are like-for-like

    The loaf shape can vary too: tin loaves, round loaves and tiger loaves aren’t automatically interchangeable.

    Check the shape, size and weight before comparing two loaves.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan

    If you don’t eat much bread, you may end up with slices left over. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread among the foods that are often wasted.

    Choose half a loaf or freeze a whole loaf in portions as soon as you buy it.

  • Assuming every loaf is made with baker’s salt

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says baker’s salt contains iodine, but there’s no requirement to use it when baking bread.

    Check the ingredients on packaged bread, or ask which type of salt is used for unwrapped bread.

  • Choosing by bread type alone if you have an allergy

    Allergens can vary from one recipe to another. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must also be available for unwrapped food.

    Check the allergen information on packaged bread. If the bread is unwrapped, ask for the information before you buy it.

Supermarkets to explore

You may find different types of white bread at these supermarkets. Choose a shape and quantity from the range that suit how much you use.

ALDI

ALDI lists white bread in half and whole sizes.

  • Having two sizes makes it easy to start with the quantity you need.
  • Check the weight when comparing it with other loaf shapes.

Dirk

Dirk lists, among other options, tin, round and tiger white loaves from Bakker van der Akker.

  • There are different shapes to choose from, as well as half and whole loaves.
  • Check the stated weights before treating different options as equivalent.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists a range of white breads, including half tin and tiger loaves.

  • A half-size loaf is an option if you’re not yet sure how much bread you use.
  • Check the loaf shape and weight when comparing different options.

PLUS

PLUS lists tin, round, tiger and sourdough options among its white breads.

  • You can choose from a variety of loaf shapes.
  • Check the size and ingredients for each product. A different shape may also mean a different recipe.

Lidl

Lidl offers, among other options, freshly baked and packaged bread.

  • In store, you can see which size and loaf shape suit how much you use.
  • Lidl says its fresh bread range may vary between stores.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has a wide range of bread, including freshly baked loaves.

  • You can browse different types and sizes of bread.
  • Check the loaf shape, weight and ingredients separately for the white bread you choose.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

When should I choose half or a whole white loaf?

Half a white loaf is a good fit if you’re not sure how much bread you’ll use, or don’t eat much. A whole loaf may suit you if you use more or freeze it in portions straight away. Check the weight too, as loaf shapes and sizes vary.

How can I avoid having bread left over from my first food shop?

Choose a quantity you’ll use, or freeze the bread in portions as soon as you buy it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends taking only the portions you need out of the freezer.

Is white bread always made with iodised baker’s salt?

No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says baker’s salt contains iodine, but bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt. Check the ingredients on packaged bread, or ask which salt was used for unwrapped bread.

Where can I find allergen information for white bread?

For pre-packed bread, check the allergen information on the label. If the bread is unwrapped, ask for the allergen information before you buy it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must be available.

What else should I consider for an everyday choice, besides the loaf shape?

Check the nutritional information and how much you use as well. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says white bread contains fewer nutrients than wholemeal bread. If that difference matters to you, compare those types of bread too.