For filled sandwiches or toast, choose a wholemeal loaf whose slice thickness you can assess; the words ‘fine’ and ‘sliced’ don’t guarantee that the slices are exactly the thickness you want. A half loaf may be a better fit for a small gathering, while for a larger group you can match the quantity and plan for any leftover slices to how you’ll use them. If any guests have allergies, always check the information for the specific loaf.
If you’re preparing several sandwiches for the barbecue or want to toast slices, even, manageable slices matter. Check the slices of the specific loaf: ‘fine’ or ‘sliced’ doesn’t tell you on its own how well a slice will hold your filling.
If bread is an extra alongside the rest of the barbecue food, a half loaf may be a better match for the number of people you’re serving. Albert Heijn, PLUS and Dirk list half-size wholemeal options; check which one you can actually buy.
Ordinary wholemeal bread isn’t automatically a suitable choice for someone with coeliac disease, a wheat allergy or another food allergy. Read the allergen information for the specific loaf. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information must also be available for unpackaged food sold to consumers.
First decide what you’ll use the slices for and how much bread you need. Then check the label and product information for the loaf you’re planning to buy.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Manageable slices | Check the slice thickness of the specific loaf and decide whether the slices will suit your filling or toast. | I want to be able to make sandwiches in advance without the slices being awkwardly thin or thick; slice manageability would be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Quantity and storage | Compare a half loaf with a whole loaf, and check the storage instructions on the packaging. | For a small gathering, I don’t want to open more bread than we’ll use. The amount needed would be the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the wholemeal description, ingredients and allergen information for the option you’ve chosen. | If ingredients or allergens determine what I can serve, I want to check them before buying; this would be the first priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Choice in store | Check the current range of fine, sliced, whole and half-size wholemeal loaves at your shop. | I want to be able to find an option that suits my needs at the supermarket I usually shop at. The choice in that shop would matter most to around 17% of consumers. |
These terms don’t all tell you the same thing about the thickness of a wholemeal slice. So, an online product name alone won’t tell you how well the slices will work with your filling.
Check the loaf or packaging in store and, if necessary, ask about the slice thickness before buying several loaves.
If bread is just a side, you could have a lot left over after a small barbecue. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard or 1–3 months in the freezer.
Consider buying a half loaf, or freeze any slices you won’t use straight away in portions. Follow the instructions on the packaging too.
The term ‘wholemeal’ isn’t an allergen declaration. Ordinary wholemeal bread may be made from grains containing gluten and may include other relevant ingredients.
For every guest who needs to avoid allergens, check the label or ask for the allergen information for unpackaged bread. Don’t rely on the name of the bread alone.
A claim about fibre, salt or seeds on a particular wholemeal loaf doesn’t automatically apply to other loaves from the same shop.
Compare the ingredients and nutrition information for each loaf, preferably on the same per 100 g basis.
These supermarket ranges give you options to compare bread styles and sizes. Always check the loaf you’re actually choosing for slice thickness, ingredients and allergens.
Albert Heijn lists a range of wholemeal loaves, including whole and half-size options in different styles.
Jumbo describes fine wholemeal bread and wholemeal options with kernels or seeds in its own bread range.
Lidl lists a product called Fine Wholemeal and says it is sold in store.
ALDI lists, among other options, a sliced whole Fine Wholemeal loaf and a separate extra-high-fibre wholemeal loaf.
PLUS lists Round Fine Wholemeal in both whole and half-size loaves.
Dirk lists wholemeal loaves from Bakker van der Akker, including whole and half-size options.
Don’t rely on ‘medium sliced’ as a guarantee of a particular slice thickness for Dutch supermarket bread. Shops also use terms such as ‘fine’ and ‘sliced’; check the slices of the specific loaf or ask in store.
Freeze any slices you want to use later in portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard or 1–3 months in the freezer. For an unopened pack, follow the date and storage instructions on the label.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must also be available for unpackaged food. If the information isn’t displayed with the product, ask which allergens the bread contains before buying it.
According to the Dutch Commodities Act Decree on the Addition of Micronutrients to Foods, baker’s salt is iodised table salt used in the preparation of bread and other baked goods. If you want to know which salt is used in a particular loaf, read the ingredients list or ask the seller; don’t assume based on the type of bread alone.
