If fibre is your priority, choose bread that is explicitly labelled wholemeal. If a fussy eater mainly wants white bread, you could buy white and wholemeal side by side for this small top-up, or start with a fine wholemeal loaf. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes combining white and wholemeal bread as a gradual change; check the ingredients, allergens and quantity you need for each loaf.
If white bread is more popular at home, you don’t have to switch to wholemeal all at once. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests combining white and wholemeal bread as a gradual step; a fine wholemeal loaf could also be worth trying together.
When topping up quickly, they want to be able to identify wholemeal bread without relying on its colour or the word ‘multigrain’. An explicit wholemeal label and the nutritional information help you compare specific loaves.
A half loaf, a whole loaf or a few rolls may each suit a different quantity. The ranges at retailers including Jumbo, Lidl and ALDI feature different types of bread; check what’s available at your chosen store.
First decide whether taste, a wholemeal option or a suitable quantity matters most at home. Then compare the loaves that suit the occasion.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Taste | See if a fine wholemeal loaf might work, or choose smaller white and wholemeal options to have side by side. | If a fussy eater might leave the bread uneaten, I’d rather make the switch to wholemeal gradually. Around 42% of consumers prioritise taste. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for an explicit wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g in packaged bread. | For my lunch, I want a verifiable wholemeal option above all, even if a dark multigrain loaf looks similar. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Quantity and occasion | Compare a half loaf, a whole loaf and rolls; check the storage information on the packaging. | When I’m only buying enough for a few meals, I don’t want to bring home more bread than I can use. Getting the right quantity is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
Multigrain tells you something about the types of grain used, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that all the flour is wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a product can only be called wholemeal if all the flour used is made from whole grains.
If wholemeal is what you’re after, look for an explicit wholemeal label and read the ingredients and nutritional information rather than judging by colour or seeds alone.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using iodised baker’s salt is not compulsory. This means two loaves may differ in this respect.
If you want to know what type of salt a loaf contains, check the ingredients on packaged bread or ask for product information when buying unpackaged bread.
For a small top-up, a whole loaf may be more than you can use in the short term.
Consider whether a half loaf or rolls would better suit the quantity you need. If you do buy a whole loaf, follow the storage instructions and any freezing advice for that product.
Bread that isn’t eaten in time can go to waste.
Ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. The range of fresh bread can also vary between branches, as Lidl notes for its selection.
For packaged bread, read the current label. For unpackaged bread, ask for up-to-date ingredients and allergen information.
These supermarket ranges give you a starting point for comparing types and sizes of bread. Check what’s currently available at your store and read the label on the loaf you choose.
The online range includes white, wholemeal and multigrain bread.
Jumbo lists white and wholemeal bread online, including whole and half loaves.
Lidl’s selection includes oven-fresh bread and rolls.
ALDI lists white bread, fine wholemeal bread and multigrain bread, among other options.
PLUS lists fine wholemeal bread, multigrain bread and sourdough varieties online, among other options.
Dirk lists white, wholemeal and multigrain bread, including round loaves.
These options include white rolls, loaves labelled wholemeal and a multigrain loaf. For a small top-up, choose the type and size you need; if you opt for wholemeal, check the ingredients and bear in mind that some bread needs baking before you can eat it.
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An option if you want flatbreads for several meals rather than a standard sliced loaf.
The pack contains six pieces. Check the current ingredients on the packaging if the ingredients or allergens matter to your choice.
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These white rolls are a good option for a top-up when a fussy eater would prefer white bread.
The pack contains four pieces. This isn’t a wholemeal option; check the current packaging for allergen information.
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This round loaf needs more preparation than bread you can eat straight away: it needs to be baked after defrosting.
The stated weight is 550 g. The listed ingredients include both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour; check the current label if it’s important to you that the loaf is entirely wholemeal.
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A white baguette for a small bread top-up when white bread is preferred.
The stated weight is 250 g. This isn’t a wholemeal alternative; check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.
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This multigrain loaf is an option if you’re looking for bread with grains and seeds and have time to bake it after defrosting.
The stated weight is 550 g. Multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal; check the current ingredients, and check the label for allergens too.
No, multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain refers to different types of grain; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires all the flour used to be made from whole grains for bread to be labelled wholemeal. So, if wholemeal is what you’re looking for, check that the label explicitly says ‘wholemeal’.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says baker’s salt is not compulsory in bread. Check the ingredients on packaged bread or ask which salt has been used in unpackaged bread if you want to know.
For pre-packed bread, check the current label for ingredients and allergens. For unpackaged bread, ask the shop for allergen information; don’t assume the ingredients are unchanged just because you’ve bought the product before.
Choose a size to suit the meals you need bread for: a half loaf or rolls may be more practical than a whole loaf. If you do buy a whole loaf, follow the storage instructions and any freezing advice on the packaging.
