Which white bread is right for you?

Shoppers with a set grocery budget

You’re looking for white bread for a daily breakfast with jam, chocolate sprinkles or peanut butter. To compare loaves properly, check whether each is a whole or half loaf, and how much you’ll actually use.

Lovers of soft, sliced bread

You want a soft slice for sweet toppings. A tin loaf or square sandwich loaf is a good place to start; check the description of the crumb and crust if you’re considering other types of loaf too.

Shoppers who check the label

You eat white bread regularly and want to know which ingredients, allergens, fibre content and salt levels are in the loaf you choose. Check whether bakers’ salt is listed on the label too.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the shape of the loaf and how much you use. Then consider whether the crumb suits your toppings and which nutritional information matters to you.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important to?
Like-for-like quantity Compare whole loaves with whole loaves, and half loaves with half loaves. Check the weight when comparing different loaves. If I buy bread every day, I don’t want to accidentally compare a smaller loaf with a larger one. Around 38% of shoppers put like-for-like quantities first when making this choice.
Crumb and crust Check whether it’s a tin loaf, square sandwich loaf, round loaf or tiger white loaf, and read how the crumb and crust are described. For my sweet toppings, I’m mainly looking for a soft slice, without a strongly flavoured crust influencing my choice. For around 31% of shoppers, the bread-eating experience is the top priority.
Nutritional information Check the fibre and salt per 100 g, the allergens and the ingredients, including whether bakers’ salt is used. When white bread is often on the table, I want to know what’s in this particular loaf and whether it suits my needs. Around 31% of shoppers put label information first.

Common mistakes

  • Comparing a half loaf with a whole loaf

    Loaves vary in size and shape, and sometimes in the amount of information provided on the packaging. That means you’re not necessarily comparing the same quantity of breakfast bread.

    First check whether both loaves are whole or half loaves, then compare their weight and shape.

  • Assuming every loaf contains bakers’ salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using bakers’ salt in bread isn’t compulsory. So you can’t tell whether it’s present just from the type of bread.

    Check the ingredients list to see whether bakers’ salt or iodised salt is listed.

  • Assuming a soft white slice is a high-fibre choice

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, white bread contains less fibre than wholemeal bread. A soft crumb doesn’t tell you how much fibre is in a particular loaf.

    If fibre is important to your choice, compare the amount per 100 g on the label and consider brown or wholemeal bread too.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a plan for using it

    If you don’t use all the slices in time, some of the loaf may go to waste.

    Choose a half loaf if that better suits how much bread you use, or check the storage instructions before freezing portions. Albert Heijn says AH Wit heel can be frozen on the day of purchase.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn describes AH Wit heel as a whole white wheat loaf with around 22 slices.

  • Albert Heijn lists iodised salt and 1,6 g of fibre per 100 g for this loaf.
  • The product page says AH Wit heel is available in store only. Check the packaging, as product information can change.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers several own-brand white bread varieties, including square, round and tiger white loaves.

  • The different loaf shapes give you several options when choosing a crumb and crust to go with sweet toppings.
  • Check whether each variety is a whole or half loaf, and note its weight.

Lidl

Lidl describes its Casino white bread as a square white loaf weighing 800 g.

  • The stated weight gives you a clear idea of the size of this variety.
  • Lidl says this variety is available in store only.

Aldi

ALDI describes its white bread as a whole tin loaf with a soft crumb.

  • The tin shape and soft crumb make this a relevant option if you’re looking for a soft slice to go with sweet toppings.
  • Check the weight on the packaging when comparing this loaf with another size.

Plus

PLUS lists Korenlanders Rond Wit heel as an 800 g loaf that you can order for delivery or collection.

  • PLUS lists 2,4 g of fibre and 1,09 g of salt per 100 g for this variety.
  • The listed allergens include wheat, barley and soya. Always check the packaging when you buy it.

Dirk

Under the Bakker van der Akker name, Dirk offers products including Casino wit heel and Boeren tijger wit heel.

  • This range gives you a choice between a square sandwich loaf and a tiger loaf.
  • Dirk doesn’t offer a delivery service, so bear this in mind if you want your groceries delivered.

White bread at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is every loaf in the Netherlands baked with bakers’ salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using bakers’ salt isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients list on the loaf you buy to see whether bakers’ salt or iodised salt is listed.

Is white bread suitable for a daily sweet breakfast?

White bread can be a soft base for sweet toppings, but the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing it with brown or wholemeal bread as much as possible. If fibre matters to you at breakfast, compare the nutritional information per 100 g.

Which allergens should I check in white bread?

Check the allergens listed on the packaging of the variety you choose. The loaves reviewed from Albert Heijn and PLUS list wheat and soya; PLUS also lists barley for Korenlanders Rond Wit heel. Ingredients can vary between loaves.

What should I do if a whole loaf is too much?

Choose a half loaf if that better suits how much bread you use, or follow the storage instructions on the packaging when freezing portions. Albert Heijn says you can freeze AH Wit heel on the day you buy it.