Who is this choice important for?

Households keeping an eye on fibre

If you want to serve wholemeal bread at Christmas dinner, the product description and nutritional information are more useful than the bread’s dark colour.

Hosts looking for bread to complement the menu

With soup, appetisers or filled rolls, texture and how you plan to serve the bread can guide your choice: a soft roll plays a different role on the table from a whole loaf.

Households shopping in advance

If you’re buying for guests or getting bread in early, you’ll want to check the allergens and ingredients, and decide how much bread to serve.

What should you look for when choosing?

Wholemeal bread

Choose it when: fibre is the deciding factor; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread wherever possible.

Bear in mind: brown or multigrain bread isn’t automatically wholemeal, so check the description of the bread you choose.

White bread

Choose it when: you’re looking for a soft texture to go with your dish.

Bear in mind: if fibre is your main priority, white bread is not the same choice as wholemeal bread.

First decide whether fibre or the texture you want is more important. Then compare the packaging, serving style and quantity you need for dinner.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the wholemeal description and compare fibre content on the same basis, for example per 100 g. Don’t judge by colour alone. If fibre is my priority, I want to be sure which bread I’m putting on the table. Around 42% of consumers put this need first.
Texture and serving style Choose a type that goes with soup, appetisers or filled rolls, and decide whether you want a whole loaf, half a loaf or individual rolls. For my menu, the bread needs to be easy to serve and suit the dish; this matters most to around 25% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the latest label or ask about allergens if the bread is unwrapped. Compare salt levels only when they’re given on the same nutritional basis. If a guest needs to watch their ingredients or allergens, I want to be able to check the specific bread. For around 17% of consumers, this is their first priority.
Freshness and quantity Match the quantity to the number of people eating, and decide whether to buy shortly before dinner or freeze portions. I want to be able to shop in advance without serving more bread than I need. This is the main concern for around 16% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking brown or multigrain bread for wholemeal

    A dark colour or visible grains don’t tell you whether the bread meets your wish to serve wholemeal bread.

    Look for the explicit wholemeal description and check the ingredients list if needed; don’t choose based on appearance or the name alone.

  • Relying only on online allergen information

    Product information can change. PLUS notes in its bread information that ingredients and allergen details may also change.

    Check the packaging of the bread you actually buy. If it’s unwrapped, ask for the latest allergen information.

  • Shopping early without a storage plan

    A whole loaf isn’t automatically the right amount if dinner is still days away or you don’t eat much bread.

    Choose the quantity based on your menu and the number of guests. Freeze portions if you buy the bread early, and follow the storage instructions.

    Bread that can no longer be eaten also contributes to food waste.

  • Assuming the type of bread tells you its salt or iodine content

    The name white bread or wholemeal bread doesn’t tell you how much salt or iodine a particular product contains.

    Check the ingredients and nutritional information for the bread you choose instead of assuming all bread has the same values.

Supermarkets to explore

These supermarkets list bread ranges that let you compare types and product descriptions. Always check the bread you ultimately choose.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has an online wholemeal bread category, as well as a wider bread range.

  • Useful for comparing wholemeal options with other types of bread.
  • Check the information on the bread you choose; a category listing is not a product label.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists wholemeal bread in a range of types online.

  • Offers ideas for choosing between a whole or half loaf and other serving styles.
  • Check the packaging and the current options available for your order.

Lidl

Lidl Netherlands lists individual wholemeal loaves, including fine wholemeal and a half loaf.

  • The types shown can help you match the bread to how much you need for the table.
  • A product shown may only be available in store; check your chosen shop.

ALDI

ALDI Netherlands lists white and wholemeal bread in its fresh daily bread range.

  • Lets you compare both types of bread when making your choice.
  • The characteristics of one specific ALDI loaf don’t automatically apply to other loaves.

PLUS

PLUS has an online wholemeal bread category, including fine wholemeal bread.

  • Offers examples of types you could consider for Christmas dinner.
  • PLUS warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change; read the packaging.

Dirk

Dirk lists bread categories including white, wholemeal and multigrain bread.

  • The separate bread types make it easier to search for the description you want.
  • Check that the name and ingredients of the product you choose match your preference.

Bread options for Christmas dinner at Joybuy

These options include Lebanese bread in a pack of six and a round loaf. If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread or comparing breads by fibre content, check the Dutch product description and nutritional information on the packaging.

Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces

Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces

The pack of six is a handy option if you want to serve smaller portions of bread with appetisers. Check that this type of bread suits your menu and that the packaging describes it as wholemeal.

View at Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g

This 550 g round loaf is an option if you want to put a whole loaf on the table. Allow time to defrost, bake and cool it according to the product instructions, and check the wholemeal description and nutritional information on the packaging.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is brown or multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. Albert Heijn explains that brown and multigrain bread may also contain white flour. If you want wholemeal bread, look for the explicit wholemeal description on the bread or packaging.

How do I compare the fibre in white and wholemeal bread?

Compare the nutritional information for the breads you’re considering on the same basis, for example per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 3,4 g of fibre for a 50 g slice of wholemeal bread and 1,2 g for a 45 g white roll; the two portions are therefore not the same size.

How long can I keep wholemeal bread for Christmas dinner?

For opened wholemeal bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide recommends 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1 to 3 months in the freezer. Also follow the instructions on the packaging, and don’t eat bread with mould on it.

How do I check allergens in bread for guests?

For prepacked bread, read the current label; for unwrapped bread, ask which allergens it contains. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that suppliers must also give consumers allergen information for unpackaged food.