If you want to choose the thickness of the slice for a topped snack, look for bread explicitly labelled as unsliced. White toastie bread or a square white loaf are options if evenly sized slices matter more; the word ‘whole’ doesn’t tell you whether the loaf has been sliced. If the bread is for an older eater, consider the crust and the size of each bite too: a thicker slice won’t be comfortable for everyone to eat.
If you want to choose the thickness of the bread for your topping, look for a loaf explicitly labelled as unsliced. For snacks that need to be the same shape each time, consider white toastie bread or a square white loaf; Jumbo and PLUS list these types of bread in their ranges.
For an afternoon coffee snack, it’s not just the thickness of the bread that matters: the crust, topping and bite size count too. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that chewing or swallowing difficulties and a reduced appetite are circumstances in which older people’s diets may need extra attention.
Check the packaging for details such as fibre, salt and allergens. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible. Bread also doesn’t have to be made with bakers’ salt.
First decide whether you’d like to cut thicker slices yourself or prefer evenly sliced bread. Then consider whether the crust and portion size will suit the person you’re making the snack for.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is it most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing the slice thickness yourself | Look for ‘unsliced’ on the packaging or product page. If you’re buying bread in store, ask whether you can slice it yourself. | I want to cut a thicker slice for my topped coffee-time snack. For around 36% of consumers, having the freedom to choose the slice thickness comes first. |
| Crust and portion size | Check the crust and choose a bite size that suits the person eating it; don’t judge by slice thickness alone. | If a large bite or firm crust is difficult, I want to be able to portion the snack comfortably. Ease of eating is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information and ingredients | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and check the latest ingredient and allergen information. Look for bakers’ salt if it matters to your choice. | I want to know what’s in the bread before serving it. Ingredients and nutritional information are the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Finding the right type of bread | Check whether your shop stocks the type you want as an unsliced loaf, a square white loaf or toastie bread. | I want to find a suitable type of bread at the shop where I do my food shopping. For around 14% of consumers, this is the most important starting point. |
A whole loaf may already be sliced. So the name doesn’t confirm that you can cut it into extra-thick slices yourself.
Look specifically for ‘unsliced’, or ask in store how the bread is sold.
A thick slice also makes for a larger bite. If someone has difficulty chewing or swallowing, consider the crust, topping and portion size separately.
Assess the snack for the individual who’ll be eating it. If they have difficulty swallowing, seek appropriate professional advice rather than simply choosing a different slice thickness.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible. The right type of bread for a coffee-time snack and the choice of bread for everyday eating don’t necessarily have to be the same.
Compare the fibre per 100 g if fibre intake is important when choosing bread.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread doesn’t have to contain bakers’ salt. The allergen information also needs to be suitable for the product you choose.
Check the latest packaging, especially if bakers’ salt or an allergen is relevant to the person eating it.
The online white bread category includes several types of bread, including options explicitly labelled as unsliced.
The online range includes square white loaves and white toastie bread.
The online category includes square white loaves and Goedhart white toastie bread.
Online search results for white bread include square white loaves, farmhouse white bread, bâtard loaves and baguettes.
The bakery range includes sliced bread, including white bread, as well as other bakery products.
No, ‘whole’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘unsliced’. Choose a loaf explicitly sold as unsliced, or ask the shop how it is sliced.
No, the crust, topping and size of the bite matter too. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that chewing and swallowing difficulties can make it harder to eat; if someone has difficulty swallowing, seek appropriate professional advice.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread doesn’t have to be baked with bakers’ salt. Check the ingredients on the packaging or ask the baker if this matters to your choice.
Yes, especially if ingredients or allergens are important. PLUS notes that the ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information for one type of toastie bread may change, so it’s best to check the latest packaging.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g if you want to assess the fibre content of different breads.
