If fibre is your priority when choosing bread, wholemeal bread is a more obvious choice than white bread: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread labelled ‘wholemeal’ is made from 100% wholemeal flour. White bread may be more appealing if you prefer a lighter taste and softer texture. For your holiday, choose a suitable quantity too, and freeze any bread you won’t use soon in portions as soon as you get it home.
Whether you’re choosing bread for breakfast, lunch or a snack on the go, consider the fibre information. As the Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains, the label ‘wholemeal’ tells you more about the grain used than a brown colour or grains shown on the packaging.
If not everyone enjoys wholemeal bread, it’s worth considering which bread will actually get eaten during your holiday. A finer-textured option may be worth a look if you still want to choose wholemeal; just check that ‘wholemeal’ appears on the packaging.
Whether you’re staying in a holiday cottage, camping or heading out for the day, a whole loaf may go uneaten. The quantity, whether you can freeze portions and the storage instructions all help determine what’s practical. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it if you plan to use it later.
A good fit if: you want bread made from the whole grain and value fibre more than the lighter taste of white bread.
The trade-off: if the taste or texture isn’t popular at home, you could try a finer-textured loaf, as long as it is labelled wholemeal.
A good fit if: the familiar, lighter taste is the deciding factor for your holiday group.
The trade-off: white bread is made from refined flour and doesn’t offer the same wholemeal base. Compare the fibre content of specific products on a like-for-like basis, for example per 100 g.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the label ‘wholemeal’ and compare the fibre per 100 g in the loaves you’re considering. | I want to keep an eye on fibre during the holiday and not choose based on the colour of the bread. This is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Taste and texture | Decide whether you’d prefer a light, soft slice; if you choose a finer-textured loaf, check the product label all the same. | If bread tends to be left uneaten at home, I prefer a taste everyone enjoys. Taste is the deciding factor for around 30% of consumers. |
| Quantity and storage | Choose a suitable number of loaves or rolls and read the storage instructions; freeze any unused portions straight away. | For a holiday lasting several days, I want to be able to portion out the bread without bringing more than I need. This practical consideration comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
The colour and visible grains don’t prove that bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
For wholemeal bread, look for the label ‘wholemeal’ and then compare the nutritional information for the options. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between the type of bread and its appearance alone.
If there’s bread left over when you head out or go on an excursion, it may become less fresh before you get round to eating it.
Choose an amount that suits your plans. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it if you plan to use it later.
Portioning and freezing does take a little space and preparation.
Ingredients and allergen information can change between bread varieties or recipes, so a description you viewed earlier may not match the packaging of the product you buy.
Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens, nutritional values and storage instructions, especially if you switch to a different variety.
The fact that an ingredient appears on one bread label doesn’t mean every loaf contains it. For example, Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for AH Rond volkoren heel; this information applies to that variety.
If iodine is relevant to your choice, check the ingredients of the specific loaf rather than relying on the type of bread or the shop.
A useful reference if you want to check the information for a specific wholemeal loaf.
A useful reference for comparing different shapes and sizes of wholemeal bread within one range.
A useful reference if you want to distinguish between bread types and compare their stated fibre content.
A useful reference if you want to compare white and wholemeal bread in the daily-fresh range.
A useful reference if you want to check the information for a fine-textured wholemeal loaf.
A useful reference for comparing white and wholemeal bread in the bread range.
These options include products described as whole wheat and white breads. An English-language product name doesn’t automatically confirm the Dutch label ‘volkoren’: check the packaging for that. If you’re buying for a holiday, also consider the portion size and the storage or baking instructions for the product you choose.
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The pack of six is a handy option if you want to portion out bread for each meal. Check the packaging for the wholemeal label, allergens and storage instructions after opening.
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Two loaves could suit plans for several bread-based meals, as long as you have the space and means to store and bake them according to the packaging. Check the wholemeal label and follow the baking instructions on the pack.
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One loaf is an option if you want less to store than with the pack of two. Check the wholemeal label and follow the baking instructions on the packaging.
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Four white rolls are a good option if you want individual portions for meals where white bread is preferred. Check the packaging for allergens, shelf life and nutritional information.
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This white baguette is a good choice for a meal where you’re not looking for wholemeal bread. Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens, shelf life and the basis on which the nutritional values are given.
Check whether the bread is labelled ‘wholemeal’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread with this label is made from 100% wholemeal flour; a brown colour or the term ‘multigrain’ isn’t enough on its own.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it, then taking out what you need. For an unopened pack and the variety you’ve chosen, also check the use-by date and storage instructions.
No, don’t assume this without checking. An ingredient listed for a specific product, such as ‘iodised salt’ for AH Rond volkoren heel, tells you nothing about the ingredients in another loaf. Check the packaging if this matters to your choice.
Check the allergen information on the current packaging of the bread you’re buying. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that common allergens must be clearly listed on the label; don’t rely solely on information from a variety you looked at earlier.
