Host catering for fussy eaters
You want to offer a familiar white or light option without leaving out guests looking for wholemeal bread. Putting two clearly different loaves on the table makes the choice easy.
Who might find this choice useful?
Meal planner keeping an eye on fibre
You want to compare breads by their fibre content. Look for the wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information, rather than judging by the colour or seeds.
Cook choosing bread to go with a dish
You’re looking for bread to dip, fill or serve warm with something like curry or mezze. Decide how you’ll serve it first, then check the preparation instructions, ingredients and allergens for each product.
What should you look for when choosing?
Think about the flavour preferences and ways of serving that matter for your international food evening, then compare the labels of the breads you plan to serve.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour preferences | Choose a familiar white or light option and, if you want to offer one, a separate loaf labelled as wholemeal. | If there are fussy eaters at the table, I want to give them a familiar choice without leaving out the wholemeal option. For around 33% of consumers, this acceptance would be the main consideration. |
| Fibre and wholemeal | Read the product name and ingredients, and compare the fibre per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a dark colour alone doesn’t mean bread is wholemeal. | I want to choose a wholemeal loaf and compare its fibre with that of other breads. For around 27% of consumers, this need would come first. |
| Bread shape | Choose a shape for dipping, filling or serving warm; for part-baked bread, check the preparation instructions and number of pieces too. | My dish might need bread that can hold a filling or go well with a dip. Around 20% of consumers would choose the way the bread is served first. |
| Label information | Read the ingredients and allergen information; if you have a question about iodine or baker’s salt, check whether iodised salt is listed. | If guests need to consider ingredients or allergens, I want to know what’s in each loaf. For around 20% of consumers, checking the label would be the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal
A brown colour or several types of grain doesn’t confirm that a loaf is wholemeal. Dirk also distinguishes between brown bread and wholemeal bread in its bread information.
Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name, then compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.
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Assuming all bread contains iodised baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it’s present just from the type of bread.
Check the label for baker’s salt or iodised salt if this matters to your choice; ask about it if the bread is unwrapped.
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Choosing part-baked bread without planning the meal
Naan, pita and other bread shapes can vary in portion size and preparation. Bread that needs finishing in the oven also needs to fit into your serving schedule.
Check the number of pieces, the weight and the preparation instructions before deciding how much you need.
A pack containing more bread than you serve could leave you with leftovers.
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Guessing allergens from the type of bread
Breads that look alike can have different ingredients and allergen information. Information for one product doesn’t automatically apply to another.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information on every pack you choose.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
Its bread range includes white and wholemeal products, including own-brand options.
- You can compare the ingredients and nutritional information for individual products.
- Check the current packaging and availability of the specific bread you want to choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers white, wholemeal, multigrain and part-baked bread: a range of bread types for sharing at a meal.
- Fine wholemeal bread could be a good option if you’re looking for a wholemeal loaf without a coarse texture.
- Compare the nutritional and allergen information for each product; the type of bread alone won’t tell you this.
Lidl
Alongside its bread range, Lidl describes a kids’ wholemeal bread made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
- The finely milled option is worth considering if a coarse texture is less appealing.
- According to Lidl’s own information, this description applies to that specific loaf; check the label separately for other breads.
ALDI
ALDI offers white and wholemeal breads, as well as part-baked options such as naan, pita and Turkish bread.
- You can choose a bread shape to suit dipping, filling or serving alongside a dish.
- A part-baked format tells you nothing about the fibre or allergens in the product you choose; check the packaging.
PLUS
The online wholemeal range at PLUS includes options such as fine wholemeal bread and sourdough varieties.
- This gives you different types of bread to compare by ingredients and nutritional information.
- Check the product details, allergens and availability for the variety you want to buy.
Dirk
Dirk lists white, wholemeal, multigrain and sourdough as separate bread types.
- This makes it easier to put together a table with different bread options.
- If you’re choosing based on fibre, compare the nutritional information per 100 g; don’t rely on the bread’s name or appearance alone.
Bread options on Joybuy
These bread options suit different ways of serving: a white baguette alongside a separate loaf labelled as whole wheat, or bread shapes for dips and filled sandwiches. Before making your final choice, check the packaging to make sure the wholemeal label, preparation and ingredients suit your meal.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
This Lebanese bread is an option to serve with dips or mezze. The pack contains 6 pieces; check the whole wheat description and allergen information on the label if these matter to your choice.
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G'woon White Rustic Baguette, 250 g
Serve this white baguette as the white option alongside a separate wholemeal loaf. The pack weighs 250 g; check the preparation instructions and the latest allergen information.
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Patak's Naan Plain Mini, 4 pieces
Mini naan is a handy bread to serve with curry or dips. This pack contains 4 pieces; check the packaging for reheating instructions and allergen information.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
This round loaf, labelled as whole wheat, can be served alongside a white bread option. The pack weighs 550 g; allow time to defrost and bake the loaf, following the instructions on the packaging.
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Fresh ASIA Lao Tongguan Thousand Layer Bread for Meat Sandwich, 500 g
This bread is suited to a meal featuring filled sandwiches, such as Roujiamo. The pack weighs 500 g; prepare the bread according to the instructions before serving and check the allergen information on the label.
Frequently asked questions
Is dark or multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. The colour and the term ‘multigrain’ don’t confirm that a loaf is wholemeal. Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name and check the ingredients if you specifically want to serve a wholemeal option.
Does all bread in the Netherlands contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt. Check the label to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt has been used, and ask about it if the bread is unwrapped and this matters to your choice.
What can I offer fussy eaters alongside white bread?
A separate fine wholemeal loaf is one option if you want to offer a wholemeal choice without going straight for a coarse-textured variety. Lidl describes its own kids’ wholemeal bread as being made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour; check the product name, ingredients and nutritional information for each specific loaf.
How can I check for allergens when serving several breads?
Check the current ingredients and allergen information for each bread separately. Even breads that look alike can contain different grains or other allergens; don’t use information for one product to assess another.