If fibre is important when shopping for your barbecue, first choose bread that is explicitly labelled as wholemeal and compare the fibre content per 100 g. Then choose a shape that suits the way you plan to serve it: sliced bread for toppings, a baguette to share or rolls to bake at home if you have the time and oven space. For the specific product, also check the salt, ingredients, allergens and storage instructions.
You want to make a mindful choice of wholemeal bread for your barbecue. Colour alone doesn’t tell you enough, so check the wholemeal label and compare the fibre content per 100 g. The Voedingscentrum explains that wholemeal bread is made from the whole grain.
You’re choosing between slices for toppings, baguettes to share and rolls for individual portions. If you’re baking rolls at home, you’ll also need to consider how much oven space you have and how long they take to prepare.
You may need to check allergens for your guests or look for salt and iodised salt on the label. Product information from retailers such as Albert Heijn and PLUS shows why it’s important to check the ingredients for the specific variety you choose.
First decide whether wholemeal bread and fibre are your priorities. Then consider the shape, ingredients and preparation when choosing bread for your barbecue.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for a wholemeal label and compare fibre per 100 g on the same basis. | If fibre is my top priority when shopping for a barbecue, I don’t want to judge bread by its colour. Around 36% of consumers give this need the highest priority. |
| Serving style | Choose between sliced bread, bread to share and rolls; check whether they need baking. | For topped slices or bread to share, I want a shape that suits my guests and table. Serving convenience matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and salt | Check the ingredients, allergens, warnings and salt per 100 g on the packaging. | If I need to consider ingredients for my guests, the shape of the bread I want shouldn’t stop me checking them. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Storage and preparation | Check how to store the bread and, for frozen bread, follow the preparation and defrosting instructions. | If I’m buying bread well ahead of the barbecue, I want to know how to store it and have it ready to serve on time. Around 14% of consumers give this planning the highest priority. |
A dark colour or the word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that bread is made from the whole grain. This distinction matters if you’re buying wholemeal bread specifically.
Check that the bread is explicitly labelled as wholemeal, then compare the fibre content per 100 g.
The fibre content won’t tell you which grains, other ingredients or allergens the bread contains. Salt levels can also vary between products.
Read the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details for the variety you’re buying.
Rolls that you bake at home need oven space at a time when you may also be preparing other dishes.
Choose a quantity to suit your guests and follow the defrosting and storage instructions.
Jumbo says that its frozen kaiser rolls, which were included in this review, must not be refrozen after defrosting.
Ordering online and buying in store aren’t both available options for every bread mentioned. For example, Lidl says that its wholemeal bread included in this review is only available in store.
Before you go shopping, check how you can buy the product you’ve chosen.
Has an online category featuring different types of wholemeal bread, including whole and half loaves.
Offers wholemeal bread in different shapes, including frozen rolls to bake at home.
Stocks wholemeal bread, including wholemeal baguettes.
Offers, among other options, freshly baked and extra high-fibre wholemeal bread.
Offers, among other options, fine wholemeal bread and rustic wholemeal sourdough bread.
Offers wholemeal options such as batard loaves and tin-free loaves.
These bread options suit different ways of serving: bread to share, a rye bread option and a whole loaf that you’ll need to plan how to prepare. For each choice, check that the current packaging meets your requirements for wholemeal bread, ingredients and nutritional values.
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This pack of six may suit you if you’re looking for bread to share with dips or other barbecue dishes.
Check the current packaging for wheat, gluten, possible allergens and storage instructions.
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This 500 g rye bread option is one to consider serving at your barbecue.
If you’re specifically comparing wholemeal bread, check the wholemeal label on the packaging, along with the ingredients and allergens.
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This 550 g whole loaf may suit you if you have time to prepare it and want to slice it before serving.
Plan when to defrost and bake it according to the packaging. Also check the ingredients, and compare fibre and salt only when the values are given on the same basis.
No. The Voedingscentrum says wholemeal bread is made from the whole grain, whereas brown bread can contain a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour. So check the wholemeal label and the ingredients, not just the colour.
No, ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t mean gluten-free. The wholemeal products from Albert Heijn and PLUS included in this review contain wheat or other gluten-containing grains. If you need a gluten-free option, always check the current ingredients and allergen information for the specific product.
Don’t assume it does. According to Albert Heijn, AH Rond volkoren heel contains iodised salt, but check the ingredients list on the bread you buy to see which type of salt it contains.
Choose enough portions for your guests and check the storage instructions for the bread you’ve picked. Albert Heijn says that AH Rond volkoren heel can be frozen at home on the day of purchase. Jumbo says that its frozen kaiser rolls included in this review must not be refrozen after defrosting.
