Households keeping an eye on fibre
If you’d like to buy wholemeal bread more often for breakfast and lunch instead of white bread, compare the product description and nutritional information per 100 g for the specific loaves you’re considering.
Who is this choice for?
Households looking for a finer texture
If you find coarser sandwiches less appealing at home, finely milled wholemeal bread could be worth trying. Lidl, for example, describes one of its own breads as being made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour; this doesn’t tell you anything about the texture of other breads.
Households shopping for the whole week
If you buy bread for several days at a time, set aside what you need and freeze the rest in portions as soon as you get home, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether your main aim is to replace white bread with wholemeal. Then compare the texture people at home will eat and how much you can store. You may still prefer white bread for a particular meal, without needing to make it your bread of choice for the whole week.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check the wholemeal description, ingredients and fibre per 100 g on the label. | If I want to replace the white bread I eat every day, I want to be sure I’m actually buying wholemeal bread. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Weekly supply | Choose a whole or half loaf to suit how much you eat, and read the storage advice. Freeze any bread you’ll eat later in portions. | When I do one big shop, I want to avoid bread going stale before it’s eaten. Around 29% of consumers are expected to prioritise a manageable weekly supply. |
| Taste and texture | Compare finely and coarsely milled wholemeal bread, and see whether the type of loaf you choose suits the people at home. | In our household, a switch will only work if we like the texture of the bread too. For around 21% of consumers, this is the most important consideration. |
| Range and type of loaf | Check whether your usual shop stocks the wholemeal option you want in a size and shape that suits you. | I want to choose a loaf that fits in with my regular shop and how much we eat. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal
The colour of the bread and the presence of seeds don’t prove that it’s wholemeal. Multigrain also means something different from wholemeal.
Check the product description, ingredients and nutritional information for the bread you’re buying.
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Buying enough for the week without a storage plan
A whole loaf is only practical for the week if you can eat it in time or freeze some of it.
Choose the number of whole or half loaves to suit how much you eat, and freeze the portion you’ll need later in portions as soon as you get home, following the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice.
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Relying on a product page you viewed earlier
Ingredients and nutritional information can change. Albert Heijn and PLUS also point out that dietary and allergy information may change.
Before eating the bread, read the label on the pack you’ve actually received, especially if allergens or specific nutritional values matter to your choice.
Brands and shops to explore
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has an online selection of wholemeal bread.
- Product pages give you a starting point for exploring different types of loaf.
- Albert Heijn says that ingredients and nutritional information can change, so check the latest packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo shows a range of wholemeal breads online, including finely and coarsely milled options.
- The type of loaf can help you find the texture you’re looking for.
- Check which options are available when you shop.
Lidl
Lidl lists, among other options, a bread made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
- This particular bread is worth considering if you’re looking for a finer texture.
- The description applies to this bread only, not necessarily to other Lidl loaves. Check the packaging of the one you choose.
ALDI
ALDI lists finely milled wholemeal bread, multigrain wholemeal bread and a separate loaf called Extra Fibre Wholemeal Bread.
- These types of bread give you options to compare texture and ingredients.
- Claims about one particular loaf don’t necessarily apply to the other breads in the range.
PLUS
PLUS lists products online including PLUS Boeren Wholemeal, Whole Loaf.
- The product information lists wholemeal wheat flour for this loaf and includes instructions for freezing it at home.
- PLUS says product information may change, so check the latest label.
Dirk
Dirk lists wholemeal breads in different shapes, including bâtard and tin-baked loaves.
- The different types of loaf can help you find bread that suits the sandwiches you want to make.
- Check the description and nutritional information for each product before comparing options.
Bread products on Joybuy
These products offer different types of bread for anyone considering wholemeal options as part of their weekly shop: crisp crispbread, flatbread and round loaves. Their shape will also affect whether they suit the way you plan to use them as an alternative to everyday sliced bread.
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g'woon Wholemeal Crispbread, 375 g
An option if you’d prefer crisp crispbread to soft sliced bread. The product name specifies wholemeal and a 375 g pack. Check the label for the ingredients and nutritional information that matter to your choice.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat 6 P
This flatbread lends itself to a different way of eating from an ordinary slice of bread. The product name specifies Whole Wheat and the 6 P variant. If you’re buying it for several days, check the storage and use-by instructions on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g
The pack of two round loaves could suit a planned weekly shop if you can fit the preparation into your routine. The product name specifies Whole Wheat and two 550 g loaves. Before buying, check the defrosting and baking instructions. Only compare fibre values once you know whether they’re given per 100 g or per serving.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose wholemeal bread instead of white bread?
If you’d like to replace white bread more often in your everyday diet, wholemeal bread fits with the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice to replace white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as often as possible. Check the wholemeal description and label for the specific loaf you’re considering; a dark colour alone isn’t enough.
How can I keep bread fresh when shopping for the whole week?
Freeze the portion you want to eat later in portions as soon as you get home, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, and take out what you need. Also choose a whole or half loaf based on how much your household actually eats, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Why should I read the label on the same bread again?
Product information can change, so the label on the pack you buy is the one that matters. Albert Heijn and PLUS point out that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information, among other details, may change.
How can I check whether bread contains baker’s salt?
Look for baker’s salt on the ingredients list of the specific bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) explains that, in bread and other bakery products, iodine compounds may only be present through the addition of baker’s salt. This doesn’t tell you the iodine content of any individual loaf.