Who is this choice of bread for?

Lunch-goers looking to increase their fibre intake

If bread is often the basis of your lunch, you’ll want to choose between white and wholemeal and compare the fibre content of the varieties on offer.

Canteen customers who need allergen information

When buying an unwrapped sandwich, you’ll want to know which allergens are in the bread and filling before you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that sellers of unpackaged food must provide information about 14 allergens.

Lunch shoppers planning several days ahead

If you bring your own bread, the loaf size, how long it keeps and whether you can freeze portions are all part of your decision.

What should you look for when choosing?

When choosing bread for your university lunch, there’s more to consider than white or wholemeal: information about the specific bread, and how you buy or store it, can also affect what works for you.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fibre Look for the wholemeal label and compare the fibre content per 100 g of the specific varieties. If bread is often the basis of my lunch, I don’t want to judge fibre content by colour alone; around 39% of consumers prioritise fibre.
Ingredients and allergens Check the allergen information for both the bread and filling; ask about it before buying an unwrapped sandwich. When buying a filled sandwich from the canteen, I want to know in advance which ingredients matter to me. For around 23% of consumers, this information is their top priority.
Freshness and portions Choose a suitable size and follow the storage instructions on the packaging; decide whether you want to freeze portions. When I buy bread for several lunches, I want to avoid leaving some unused; around 15% of consumers prioritise portions and freshness.
Taste and availability Consider which bread texture you enjoy and which variety is available when you take your lunch break. I want a type of bread I enjoy and can get when I’m having lunch. For around 23% of consumers, taste and availability matter most.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark or multigrain bread is automatically wholemeal

    Multigrain tells you that different types of grain have been used; it doesn’t, by itself, mean that the whole grain has been used. A dark colour doesn’t tell you that either.

    Look for the explicit wholemeal label, then compare the ingredients and fibre content of the variety you’re considering.

  • Looking only at the bread in a filled sandwich

    The filling may also contain ingredients that matter to your choice. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says sellers of unpackaged food must provide information about 14 allergens.

    Ask the canteen for allergen information about the whole sandwich; for packaged products, check the details on the packaging you’ve chosen.

  • Buying a whole loaf without planning your next lunches

    Bread doesn’t keep for long outside the freezer. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide says that opened wholemeal bread keeps for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer.

    Choose a loaf size that suits your lunch plans or freeze individual portions; for an unopened pack, also follow the label and date.

    Bread that isn’t used in time may go to waste.

  • Assuming every loaf contains the same amount of baker’s salt

    A general note about iodine in baker’s salt doesn’t tell you how much iodine is in a particular sandwich from the canteen.

    If the salt used matters to your choice, ask for the ingredients or product-specific information.

Wholemeal bread brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers, among other options, wholemeal hearth-baked loaves, round loaves and varieties from the Extra lang lekker range.

  • The range includes a choice of different bread shapes.
  • Some products are only available in store, so check the variety and branch you’re interested in.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers several wholemeal breads, including fine and coarse varieties.

  • For Jumbo Fijn Volkoren, Jumbo lists the ingredients, allergens and 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • That fibre figure applies to this product, not all Jumbo breads.

Lidl

Lidl offers, among other options, rustic wholemeal sourdough bread.

  • The product description identifies it as wholemeal wheat sourdough bread and refers to ingredients and allergens.
  • Check the full nutritional information and allergen details for the bread variety you’re buying.

ALDI

ALDI offers fine wholemeal bread and other wholemeal varieties.

  • The Fijn Volkoren variety shown is sliced.
  • Check which variety is available in store and read the information on the bread you choose.

PLUS

PLUS offers, among other options, fine wholemeal bread, wholemeal tiger bread and farmhouse wholemeal bread.

  • The range includes different bread shapes, giving you options to compare by texture and size.
  • Always check the information for your chosen variety to find out about ingredients and allergens.

Dirk

Dirk offers, among other options, a wholemeal batard and a wholemeal hearth-baked loaf.

  • The different bread shapes give you a choice of size and texture.
  • Check the nutritional information for the specific bread; a product description doesn’t compare different varieties.

Joybuy products for your lunch choice

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Frequently asked questions

Is wholemeal bread a different choice from white bread for a university lunch?

Yes. If you’re mainly looking to increase your fibre intake, wholemeal bread is an obvious choice: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as often as possible. It lists 3,4 g of fibre for a 50 g slice of wholemeal bread cut at home and 1,2 g for a 45 g white bread roll. As the portions are different, it’s best to compare the figures per 100 g when choosing a specific product.

Does the canteen have to provide allergen information for unwrapped sandwiches?

Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says sellers of unpackaged food must give customers information about 14 allergens. Ask for information about both the bread and the filling before you buy.

How should you store wholemeal bread for several lunches?

You can freeze wholemeal bread in portions if you want to use it for several lunches. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide says that opened wholemeal bread keeps for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer; for an unopened pack, also follow the label and date.

Does a mention of baker’s salt tell you how much iodine is in a loaf?

No, that information doesn’t tell you how much iodine is in a particular loaf. If the salt used matters to your buying decision, ask the seller for product-specific information.