If nutritional value is your priority, choose wholemeal bread: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, it is high in fibre, vitamins and minerals. If someone avoids wholemeal bread because of its taste or texture, high-fibre white bread could be a stepping stone. However, Brood.net says it is not a full substitute for wholemeal. So compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific bread, and think about what you eat with it too.
You want bread made from the whole grain for lunch, and enjoy the taste and texture of wholemeal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as a type of bread that is high in fibre, vitamins and minerals.
You’re looking for a light sandwich for someone who doesn’t like the taste or texture of wholemeal bread. In that case, high-fibre white bread is worth comparing, but Brood.net says it shouldn’t be treated as equivalent to wholemeal.
You want to see which types of bread are available and compare the ingredients, nutritional value, allergens and pack sizes of specific products.
Choose this if: You want bread made from the whole grain and the taste and texture suit the person eating it.
The trade-off: For someone who only wants to eat soft white bread, that very texture could be a drawback.
Choose this if: A light, soft slice is important to you and you want to compare the fibre content of white breads.
The trade-off: According to Brood.net, its fibre content can be similar to that of brown or wholemeal bread, but enriched white bread is not a full substitute for wholemeal.
Choose this if: The familiar white taste or texture is the deciding factor.
The trade-off: The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends brown or wholemeal bread as a higher-fibre base for lunch.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Nutritional value of the bread | Check the type of bread and compare fibre and salt per 100 g in the nutritional information. | I want the bread itself to contribute to the nutritional value of my lunch, and I enjoy the texture of wholemeal. For around 50% of consumers, nutritional value is the priority. |
| Taste and texture | If you’re choosing a lighter bread, compare the fibre content of the specific product with a wholemeal alternative. | If wholemeal bread gets left uneaten at home, I’m looking for a light slice that the person eating it will enjoy. A soft taste and texture are the main consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Availability | Check which varieties your shop stocks and read the nutritional information on the packaging. | I want to choose a bread from the range at the shop where I usually do my food shopping. For around 20% of consumers, this practical choice of shop is the deciding factor. |
A similar fibre content doesn’t mean the bread is made from the whole grain. According to Brood.net, enriched white bread is not a full substitute for wholemeal.
Consider high-fibre white bread if you need a lighter texture, but choose wholemeal if you’re specifically looking for bread made from the whole grain.
White, brown, wholemeal and multigrain aren’t interchangeable descriptions of a bread’s ingredients or nutritional value.
Read the ingredients and compare fibre and salt per 100 g for the varieties you’re considering.
The filling and anything else you eat with your sandwich are part of your lunch too.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends brown or wholemeal bread as a base for lunch. Also consider toppings from the Dutch Wheel of Five and vegetables.
A place to compare different types of white bread.
A place to compare white, brown, wholemeal and multigrain bread, among other options.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a wholemeal option for lunch.
Worth considering if you want to check the details of a specific high-fibre bread.
A place to compare white and wholemeal breads.
These products are options for anyone considering an alternative to white bread for lunch. They include wholemeal flatbread and a rye bread product, not confirmed high-fibre white bread or a white-and-wholemeal mix.
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For anyone considering wholemeal flatbread instead of a slice of white bread at lunch; this is neither white bread nor a confirmed white-and-wholemeal mix.
The product name specifies a pack of 6 P. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging if they’re important to your choice.
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For anyone considering a rye bread product as an alternative to white bread at lunch; it is neither white bread nor a confirmed white-and-wholemeal mix.
The product name specifies 500 g. Check the packaging to see whether its shape and portions suit your lunch, and compare nutritional values using the same basis, such as per 100 g.
Not as a full substitute: according to Brood.net, its fibre content can be similar, but enriched white bread doesn’t have the same nutritional value as wholemeal bread. Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the bread you want to buy.
Think about the filling and what you eat with the bread, as well as the bread itself. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends brown or wholemeal bread as a higher-fibre base for lunch, along with toppings from the Dutch Wheel of Five and vegetables.
Yes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes bread as an important source of iodine and explains that bakers’ salt with added iodine is used. Don’t assume based on the type of bread alone: check the ingredients of the specific product.
Yes, read the allergen information for the variety you’re buying. For Goedhart Natuurlijk Fit high-fibre bread, PLUS lists wheat, barley and soya; that product information doesn’t automatically apply to other high-fibre breads.
