Who is this choice relevant to?

Households stocking up for the week

If you buy bread with the rest of your weekly shop, you’ll want to know whether a whole loaf is right for what your household eats. To compare, look at the same type of bread and its stated weight.

Smaller households looking to store bread

If you won’t get through a whole loaf in time, a half loaf may be a better fit. Freezing portions is another option. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against storing bread in the fridge, as it dries out there.

Shoppers who want to check the label

If wheat, allergens, fibre, salt or baker’s salt matter to you, check the ingredients and nutritional information for the loaf you’re actually buying.

What should you look for when choosing?

Work out how much bread your household gets through and whether you can freeze portions. Then compare bread of the same type and size, and check the label if its ingredients matter to you.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Comparable size Check whether you’re comparing whole or half loaves of the same type of bread, and look at the stated weight. If I’m buying bread for the whole week, I want to know how much I’m actually getting; around 50% of consumers prioritise a comparable size.
A suitable amount for the week Choose a whole or half loaf to suit how much bread you eat at home, and check whether you can freeze some of it. With few bread eaters at home, I don’t want to be left with slices we won’t use. For around 30% of consumers, getting the right amount is the most important factor.
Ingredients and nutritional information Read the allergen information and check fibre and salt per 100 g. Look for baker’s salt in the ingredients if that matters to you. When the ingredients in my bread are a deciding factor, I want to read the label for the exact variant; around 20% of consumers prioritise this check.

Common mistakes

  • Comparing a half loaf with a whole loaf as if they were the same size

    Differences in bread type or weight make this comparison less useful when planning how much to buy for the week.

    Compare the same type of loaf and check the weight on the packaging or product page.

  • Buying a whole loaf without planning how much you’ll use

    If you won’t eat every slice, a whole loaf may not suit the amount your household needs.

    Consider a half loaf or freeze any portions you won’t use straight away. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread actually dries out in the fridge.

  • Assuming all white bread contains baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers don’t have to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it’s present just from the description ‘white bread’.

    Check the ingredients for baker’s salt if you want to know whether it has been used in this loaf.

  • Assuming white bread is an equivalent source of fibre

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread in particular contains more fibre than white bread.

    If fibre matters to you, compare the nutritional information per 100 g and consider wholemeal or brown bread too.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists a range of breads online, including freshly baked options.

  • Its online range lets you browse bread types before you shop.
  • Check the size and details of the specific variant before choosing.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists white sandwich loaves, toastie bread and farmhouse tiger bread in a range of sizes.

  • You can compare whole and half loaves side by side.
  • A half loaf or a different style of bread isn’t directly comparable with a whole standard white loaf.

Lidl

Lidl lists white sandwich bread, described on the product page as a square 800 g loaf.

  • The stated weight helps you assess this particular size.
  • Check the other product details for the variant you choose.

ALDI

ALDI’s fresh daily bread range includes a whole white loaf and a whole white sandwich loaf.

  • You can browse a standard whole white loaf and a white sandwich loaf as separate bread types.
  • Check the weight of the standard white loaf before comparing it with a loaf of a known weight.

PLUS

PLUS’s white bread selection includes whole and half sandwich loaves, as well as other styles of bread.

  • The range of sizes makes it easier to find a portion that suits you.
  • Read the description of the variant you choose: not every loaf in a wider bread selection is white bread.

Dirk

Dirk’s bread range includes white sandwich bread and white farmhouse tiger bread.

  • The different bread types give you options for your weekly shop.
  • Check the weight of each variant before comparing different loaves.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does all white bread contain baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers don’t have to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients on the loaf you choose if you want to know whether it contains it.

How should I store bread for the week?

Freeze any portions you won’t use straight away. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against storing bread in the fridge, as it dries out there.

How do I check for allergens in white bread?

Read the allergen information for the specific type of bread before you buy it. Ingredients can vary from loaf to loaf, so don’t rely on the description ‘white bread’ alone.