Don’t automatically buy just one type of bread for everyone: choose wholemeal for household members who enjoy it, and add a smaller white or finer-textured loaf if needed. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible. When planning your weekly shop, buy quantities that will actually be eaten at home, and check the packaging of each loaf.
If people at home have different preferences for colour and texture, having a wholemeal loaf alongside a smaller white or finer-textured loaf may be more practical than buying one loaf that not everyone will eat. Lidl describes its own kids’ wholemeal bread as being made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour; this feature shouldn’t be assumed to apply to other breads.
If you buy a week’s worth of bread in one go, you can match whole and half loaves to how much you’ll use and store bread in portions. Check the storage advice for your chosen product: PLUS recommends freezing its Boeren wholemeal loaf whole on the day of purchase and using it within one month.
Would you like to make wholemeal bread your everyday staple while others at home prefer white? The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible. For individual products, compare the bread type and fibre per 100 g on the packaging.
First decide which types of bread people at home eat, then work out how much of each you’ll need for the week. Use the bread name as a starting point, but check the packaging for ingredients and storage instructions.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check the bread type on the packaging and compare fibre per 100 g. | If I eat the same bread often, I want to know whether my staple really is wholemeal. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Taste and texture | Check whether the bread is white, brown or wholemeal, and whether its texture is fine or coarse. | If someone at home leaves coarse bread uneaten, I look for a loaf they’ll enjoy. Around 29% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Choice in one shop | Check which types of bread are available, and whether whole or half loaves are sold. | I want to cater for different bread preferences in a single shopping trip. This matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Stocking up for the week | Check the loaf size and the storage and freezing instructions. | If not everyone eats the same bread every day, I want to avoid having an extra loaf left over. Around 14% of consumers prioritise planning their supplies. |
These descriptions don’t, on their own, tell you how much fibre an individual loaf contains. Lidl’s finely milled wholemeal bread is a product-specific example, not a benchmark for all lighter-coloured breads.
Check the bread type, ingredients, allergens and fibre per 100 g on the packaging of the loaf you choose.
If only one person at home eats a particular type, an extra whole loaf may go uneaten. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread among the foods that are often wasted.
Consider buying half a loaf or dividing a whole loaf into portions. Follow the packaging instructions for freezing.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when making bread isn’t compulsory. Its presence therefore varies from product to product.
Check the ingredients list to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is included.
The bread selection may vary from shop to shop. Lidl, for example, says its fresh range can vary by branch.
Check which variety is currently available when ordering or in store, and read the packaging for ingredients and allergens when you buy it.
A place to browse wholemeal, brown and other types of bread.
A place to browse different types and sizes of bread.
A place to browse fresh loaves, including wholemeal and multigrain varieties.
A place to compare different types of freshly baked bread.
A place to browse wholemeal bread when ordering for delivery or collection.
A place to browse white, brown, wholemeal, multigrain and sourdough breads.
These products offer individual options for wholemeal bread, multigrain bread and a white bread to go with them. Choose the size and type of bread based on what people at home eat; multigrain bread or a white baguette won’t necessarily replace the wholemeal bread you’re looking for.
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A rye bread option for people at home who enjoy this type of bread. The pack contains 9 pieces; don’t expect it to taste or feel the same as ordinary wheat bread.
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A wholemeal wheat loaf for anyone looking for a staple bread. This round loaf weighs 550 g; when planning for the week, allow time to defrost and bake it, and follow the instructions on the current packaging.
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A multigrain option for anyone who wants to buy baguettes alongside their staple loaf. The pack contains 2 baguettes weighing 300 g in total; check the current packaging for ingredients and fibre per 100 g.
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A 220 g white baguette to add for someone who prefers white bread. This isn’t wholemeal bread, so work out how much you need alongside the other bread in your weekly supplies.
No, choose types of bread that people at home will actually eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible; a smaller extra loaf may suit someone with different preferences. Buy quantities that will be eaten during the week.
Follow the storage instructions for the specific loaf. PLUS recommends freezing its Boeren wholemeal loaf whole on the day of purchase and using it within one month; don’t assume the same timeframe applies to other breads.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when making bread isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients list of the loaf you’re buying to see whether it includes baker’s salt or iodised salt.
Yes, check the current packaging if allergens matter to your choice. PLUS says that ingredients and allergen information may change, so don’t rely solely on an earlier order or another loaf from the same brand.
