White sourdough bread may suit you if you’re looking for a white crumb and sourdough flavour, provided the crust, ingredients and nutritional information of the loaf you choose meet your needs. If you eat bread regularly and prioritise fibre, you could also compare wholemeal or brown bread: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises replacing white bread with these options as much as possible.
You may want to weigh up your preference for white bread against wholemeal or brown bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises replacing white bread with these types as much as possible. It also says that illness, health conditions or a reduced appetite may mean you need additional dietary advice.
You may want to judge the flavour and texture of each loaf, without assuming anything about its fibre or ingredients from the word ‘sourdough’. Albert Heijn often describes sourdough bread as having a crisp crust and a firmer crumb.
Consider the loaf size, where you’ll buy it and how much bread your household eats. A loaf that can be partly frozen can help you save any slices left over.
First decide whether a white crumb or choosing wholemeal or brown bread matters more to you. Then compare the flavour, label and practicalities of the loaves you can actually buy.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and type of bread | Check whether the bread is labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible. | If you eat bread often, you may want to weigh up your preference for white bread against the fibre in a wholemeal option. This is the main consideration for around 42% of consumers. |
| Flavour and texture | Judge the crust and crumb of the specific loaf; the word ‘sourdough’ doesn’t tell you how firm it will feel. | I’m looking for a white crumb with sourdough flavour, but I also want a crust that’s pleasant to eat. Flavour and texture come first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Buying and storing | Check the current ingredients and allergen information, and choose a retailer and loaf size that suit your household. | If I’m buying for one or two people, I want to be able to read the label and avoid bringing home more bread than I can use or store. Around 25% of consumers give practical considerations like these top priority. |
A loaf can contain both: the ingredients list for Jumbo Desem Breekbrood Wit includes sourdough and yeast.
Read the full ingredients list if whether yeast has been added matters to you.
Sourdough doesn’t tell you whether the bread is made with wholemeal flour. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible.
Check the type of bread on the label and compare the fibre per 100 g if that matters to you.
The name ‘white sourdough bread’ doesn’t tell you what type of salt is listed in the ingredients.
Check the current label if you want to know whether baker’s salt or iodised salt has been used.
In a small household, there may be slices left over before you’ve finished the loaf.
Where possible, choose a suitable size or divide the loaf into portions to freeze.
This takes up freezer space at home and time to wrap the portions separately.
Albert Heijn has an online overview of sourdough breads and explains what a sourdough starter is.
Jumbo describes rustic sourdough breads sold in store and offers a white sourdough tear-and-share loaf with its own ingredients list.
Nutritional information for Korenlanders Desem Wit is available from PLUS.
Lidl lists a rustic white wheat sourdough bread and also shows a wholemeal sourdough bread.
ALDI describes Bakkersgoud Rustiek wit as white bread with a soft centre.
Dirk lists white, wholemeal, multigrain and sourdough in its bread category.
No. The term ‘sourdough’ on its own doesn’t tell you whether bread is wholemeal or how much fibre it contains. Check the type of bread and the fibre per 100 g; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible.
No. The ingredients list for Jumbo Desem Breekbrood Wit includes both sourdough and yeast. Check the list for the loaf you want to buy.
Where possible, choose a smaller loaf or divide a whole loaf into portions and freeze some of it. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the loaf you choose.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information for the specific loaf. For Korenlanders Desem Wit, PLUS lists wheat, rye and cereals containing gluten, among other things; don’t assume this product information applies to other breads.
You can’t tell from the type of bread alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says older people may need additional dietary advice if they have an illness, health conditions or a reduced appetite. Speak to an appropriate healthcare professional about ongoing problems or unintentional weight loss.
