Fussy office-lunch eater
Wants to bring a familiar sandwich to work while getting used to wholemeal bread. Offering white and wholemeal slices side by side is one gradual approach also recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
Who is this bread choice relevant to?
Everyday bread eater looking for fibre
Eats bread at the office regularly and wants to choose wholemeal based on the bread label, rather than simply its dark colour, seeds or the name ‘multigrain’.
Lunch planner for several working days
Buys bread for more than one lunch and considers how much will be eaten, how it should be stored and whether it needs to be prepared before heading out.
What should you look for in bread for an office lunch?
First, decide what matters most for your lunch: a taste you’ll enjoy, a wholemeal base or planning ahead for the week. Then choose your bread and check the information on the packaging for that particular variety.
Wholemeal bread as your go-to
Choose it when: You often eat sandwiches and fibre is your priority.
Bear in mind: The taste or texture may be less familiar to a fussy eater; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the fibre in wholemeal bread.
White bread for a familiar lunch
Choose it when: Someone eating the lunch currently prefers to bring white bread.
Bear in mind: Seeds or several types of grain don’t turn white bread into wholemeal bread, as product descriptions from Albert Heijn and Jumbo show.
Combine white and wholemeal bread
Choose it when: You want to introduce wholemeal bread without replacing all the white slices straight away.
Bear in mind: You’ll need to choose and store two types of bread separately; including both in a packed lunch isn’t a separate bread designation.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Especially useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Taste and transition | Check whether the bread is labelled white, brown or wholemeal; if you’re making a gradual change, deliberately choose both types. | If someone is used to white bread, I want to pack a lunch that suits their preference. For around 39% of consumers, taste is the top priority. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g on the packaging. | For an everyday bread lunch, I want to know whether the bread is genuinely wholemeal, not just dark or topped with seeds. Around 38% of consumers prioritise choosing wholemeal. |
| Stock and preparation | Check the quantity, storage instructions and whether it needs to be prepared before taking it with you. | For several days at the office, I want to buy bread that will be eaten and is ready in time for lunch. An estimated 23% of consumers give stock planning top priority. |
Common mistakes when choosing bread
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Assuming dark bread, multigrain bread or seeded bread is wholemeal
Bread with seeds can still be labelled as white bread. Albert Heijn describes AH Liefde & Passie Meerzaden as white multiseed bread, while Jumbo describes Boeren Licht Meerzaden as white wheat bread with seeds and kernels.
Use the white, brown or wholemeal label as your first check. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the breads you’re considering to check their fibre content.
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Treating white multiseed bread as a wholemeal stepping stone
White bread with seeds can offer a different taste and texture, but it doesn’t automatically replace the wholemeal slice in a mixed packed lunch.
If you want to offer both types, choose a white bread and a bread labelled as wholemeal separately.
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Overlooking allergen information
For a shared office lunch, the bread you choose needs to suit the people eating it. Albert Heijn notes that product information, including ingredients and allergens, may change.
Read the current packaging before eating, especially if someone with an allergy or intolerance will be sharing the lunch.
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Buying more bread than you’ll eat
If you’re buying a loaf for several working days, you’ll need a storage plan. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread as a food that is often wasted.
Choose an amount that suits the number of lunches you’re planning, and follow the storage instructions for your chosen bread if you want to freeze portions.
Bread that isn’t eaten or stored in time may go to waste.
Brands to compare when choosing bread
Compare specific types of bread from each brand: a product name that includes ‘multigrain’ or ‘seeds’ doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether the bread is labelled as wholemeal.
Albert Heijn
Offers examples of both white multiseed bread and wholemeal bread for lunches with different preferences.
- Albert Heijn labels AH Liefde & Passie Meerzaden as white multiseed bread and AH Bakkersbrood swirl as wholemeal.
- Check the current packaging for your chosen bread: ingredients, nutritional information and allergens may change.
Jumbo
Offers different types of bread that you can compare by their own labels, including white multiseed and wholemeal bread.
- Jumbo describes Boeren Licht Meerzaden as white wheat bread with seeds and kernels.
- Don’t assume bread is wholemeal because it contains seeds or is called multigrain; check the description of the variety you choose.
Lidl
Provides information on packaged loaves that lets you compare bread categories and fibre content.
- Lidl displays a fibre indicator on packaged loaves.
- Lidl says its fresh bread range may vary by store; check the label on the bread you buy.
Aldi
Offers different types of bread, from white and brown to wholemeal, for anyone comparing different lunch preferences.
- ALDI Nederland describes a range that includes half and whole loaves.
- Compare the nutritional information and allergens on the packaging for your chosen variety.
Plus
Offers, among other options, a part-baked wholemeal multigrain baguette as an alternative to sliced sandwich bread.
- PLUS describes this baguette as part-baked wholemeal multigrain bread in its product description.
- If you choose bread that needs baking at home, allow time and make sure you have suitable equipment before lunch.
Dirk
Offers, among other options, white and wholemeal bread from Bakker van der Akker for you to compare individually.
- The separate white and wholemeal varieties make it possible to choose both types for a packed lunch.
- Check the bread label, ingredients and allergens for the variety you choose.
Wholemeal options for an office lunch at Joybuy
These bread options suit a lunch where you want to use a product specifically described as wholemeal. If you want to alternate between white and wholemeal, choose the white bread separately and check the current bread label on the packaging for each product.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
A flatbread option for anyone who wants to pack bread as a separate part of their lunch; it isn’t a confirmed combination of white and wholemeal bread.
Pack of 6. Check the local bread label and the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round, 2 × 550 g
An option if you want to spread two 550 g loaves across several lunches, without assuming that fussy eaters will prefer this variety.
Thawing, baking, cooling and slicing all take time. Follow the current preparation and storage instructions, and check the bread label and allergens on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round, 550 g
An option if you want to include one 550 g loaf in your lunch plans instead of a pack containing two loaves.
Thawing, baking, cooling and slicing are required before eating. Check the packaging for the baking time, and check the bread label and allergens too.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. Multigrain refers to several types of grain; it doesn’t automatically mean the bread is made with wholemeal flour. Check whether the bread you choose is labelled white, brown or wholemeal; the Dutch Bakery Centre highlights these designations for different types of bread.
How can I combine white and wholemeal bread for a fussy eater?
For example, pack white and wholemeal slices in the same lunchbox, or alternate between the two types. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends introducing wholemeal gradually; check the label on each loaf separately to confirm its designation.
Can I freeze bread for several days at the office?
You can if the storage instructions for your chosen bread say it can be frozen. Check the packaging for when to freeze it and how to store or prepare it afterwards; if it’s bread that needs baking at home, follow the preparation instructions too.
Does all bread contain iodine?
Don’t assume so without checking. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes baker’s salt as a source of iodine compounds in bread. Check the ingredients list on the bread you buy to see whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed.