Households keeping an eye on fibre
You want to serve bread with your Sunday roast without basing the choice between white and wholemeal solely on taste. In that case, the bread’s wholemeal labelling and nutritional information matter.
Who is this choice for?
Families who prefer soft bread
You’re looking for an easy-to-enjoy slice to serve at the table and want to weigh up finely milled wholemeal against white bread or a loaf with a coarser texture.
Shoppers who check ingredients
If wheat, gluten or other allergens are relevant to your choice, check the information for the exact loaf. You may also want to check whether it lists baker’s salt or iodised salt.
What should you consider when choosing?
First, decide what you want the bread to bring to your roast and gravy: a soft accompaniment or a loaf where choosing wholemeal comes first. Then compare the labels on the products you’re considering.
Finely milled wholemeal bread
A good choice if: you want wholemeal bread but prefer a finer texture to a coarse or seedy loaf.
The trade-off: even finely milled wholemeal can taste and feel different from white bread; check that the product you choose is labelled wholemeal.
Coarse wholemeal bread
A good choice if: you want a more distinctive bread texture with your meal and don’t need a soft white slice.
The trade-off: grains, seeds and a coarser crust change the eating experience; check the allergen information for loaves with added ingredients, too.
White bread
A good choice if: a light, mild-tasting bread is your main reason for serving it with this meal.
The trade-off: if you want the bread itself to contribute to your fibre intake, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the word wholemeal and compare fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. Multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal. | I want the bread to match my preference for wholemeal with this meal, even if I need to get used to a different texture. For around 33% of consumers, this fibre choice matters most. |
| Soft texture | Check whether the bread is described as finely milled wholemeal, white or coarse; compare fibre per 100 g separately. | With my roast and gravy, I mainly want soft bread that’s enjoyable to eat at the table. This texture is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Allergens and salt | Read the ingredients and allergen information. If needed, check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed. | Before serving bread to others, I want to know which ingredients and allergens it contains. Around 27% of consumers say this check is their top priority. |
| Quantity and convenience | Consider whether a whole or half loaf, rolls or pre-sliced bread would suit the meal better; check what’s available in store. | If the bread is mainly for one meal, I want to be able to buy a suitable quantity. For roughly 20% of consumers, convenience is the deciding factor. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal
The colour, seeds and the word multigrain don’t, on their own, tell you whether the bread meets your preference for wholemeal.
Look for an explicit wholemeal label and read the ingredients list rather than judging by appearance.
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Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers aren’t required to use it. The type of bread alone won’t tell you whether it’s included.
Check the ingredients for baker’s salt or iodised salt. If the bread isn’t packaged, ask which ingredients have been used.
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Overlooking allergens
Wholemeal wheat bread contains wheat and gluten; other loaves may contain additional ingredients or have warnings that are relevant to you.
Before buying, read the allergen information on packaged bread and ask for it if the bread isn’t packaged.
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Buying more bread than the meal needs
If the bread is just for your Sunday roast, you may have some of a whole loaf left over.
Choose the type and quantity of bread to suit the number of people at the table, and follow the product’s storage instructions for any leftovers.
Bread that isn’t used or stored in time may go to waste.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
AH Rond volkoren heel is one option to consider if you’re looking for a wholemeal loaf described as soft. Albert Heijn describes it as light and soft.
- Albert Heijn’s product information lists 6,9 g of fibre per 100 g, iodised salt and allergen information for this loaf.
- Ingredients and nutritional information can change, so check the latest packaging or product information before use.
Jumbo
Jumbo Fijn Volkoren is a wholemeal wheat loaf to consider if you’re looking for a finer-textured wholemeal option.
- Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g for Fijn Volkoren and includes baker’s salt in the ingredients.
- The product information lists wheat and gluten and warns that other allergens may also be present. If you have a relevant allergy, check the latest packaging.
ALDI
ALDI’s bread range includes white bread and finely milled wholemeal bread, giving you different types to compare.
- ALDI says its wholemeal breads are made with 100% wholemeal flour.
- Check the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific loaf you choose; a description of the range doesn’t replace the product label.
Lidl
Lidl lists a finely milled wholemeal loaf for shoppers who want to look at this type of bread in store.
- Lidl provides an overview of ingredients and allergens for its in-store bakery range.
- The finely milled wholemeal product is listed as an in-store item. Check the information for the actual loaf in front of you.
Bread options at Joybuy
These products offer two different types of bread to serve with a Sunday roast: Lebanese wholemeal flatbread and a rye bread product. If you’re specifically looking for a soft, classic slice to go with gravy, consider the type of bread and the ingredients of the product you choose.
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Souq Lebanese wholemeal wheat bread, 6 P
An option if you’d like to serve wholemeal wheat bread with your meal in a different form from a classic slice.
The product name identifies it as Lebanese bread and specifies the 6 P pack. Check the latest packaging for ingredients and allergens, and for a reference to baker’s salt if that’s relevant to your choice.
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Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g
A rye bread option if you don’t necessarily want a soft white slice with your Sunday roast.
The product name states 500 g. Before choosing it for your meal, check the packaging for the type of bread, wholemeal labelling, ingredients and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Is dark or multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, to be labelled wholemeal, all the grain ingredient must consist of wholemeal flour. A dark colour, seeds or the word multigrain don’t prove this; check the product description and ingredients.
Is white bread suitable with a Sunday roast if I’m watching my fibre intake?
White bread can be suitable if you mainly want a light texture for this meal, but it’s a less obvious choice if you want the bread itself to contribute to your fibre intake. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible; compare the fibre per 100 g in the products you’re considering.
Does bread in the Netherlands always contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that baker’s salt contains iodine, but its use isn’t compulsory. Check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed in the ingredients, and ask about it if the bread isn’t packaged.
How can I check allergens in fresh or unpackaged bread?
If the allergen information isn’t visible, ask the seller for it before you buy. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must also be available to consumers for unpackaged food; for pre-packed bread, check the label.
What should I do with bread left over after Sunday lunch?
Choose a quantity that suits the meal and follow the storage instructions for the specific product if you have bread left over. For example, Albert Heijn says that AH Rond volkoren can be frozen on the day of purchase; don’t assume the same instructions apply to other bread.