Barbecue shopper keeping an eye on quantities
You’re looking for wholemeal bread to serve as sandwiches or toast at a barbecue, for example, and want to choose a loaf size that suits what you’ll be serving.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Bread shopper comparing labels
You want to be able to check the fibre, salt and ingredients of the specific wholemeal bread you’re considering.
Small group looking to avoid leftovers
You’re buying bread for a small gathering and are considering a half loaf or freezing portions if you won’t use a whole loaf.
What should you look for when buying?
First, work out how much bread you’ll need alongside the other barbecue dishes. Then check the label and consider how long there’ll be between buying it and serving it.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Loaf size and quantity | Compare a whole and a half loaf with the number of people eating and the other dishes you’ll be serving. | If there’s other food on the table, I don’t want to buy more bread than we’re likely to use. Around 34% of consumers put choosing the right amount first. |
| Nutritional information | Check the fibre and salt per 100 g, as well as the ingredients and allergens in the loaf you’ve chosen. | If fibre, salt or allergens will affect my choice, I want to be able to compare the label for that exact loaf. For around 33% of consumers, this product information is the top priority. |
| Storing it in advance | Check the storage instructions on the label and decide whether you can freeze the bread in portions straight away. | If I’m buying well before the barbecue, I want to be able to store the bread I need without leaving unused slices lying around. This matters most to around 33% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Buying a whole loaf without planning for the rest
Some bread may be left over if you’re catering for a small barbecue group. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, opened wholemeal bread will generally keep for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard.
Choose a half loaf if that’s enough, or freeze a whole loaf in portions as soon as you buy it.
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Relying on the word ‘wholemeal’ alone
Nutritional values and ingredients vary from product to product. For example, PLUS lists 6,4 g of fibre and 0,99 g of salt per 100 g for Volkoren tijger heel; these figures don’t apply to every wholemeal loaf.
Check the nutritional information per 100 g for the loaves you’re considering, and check the allergens on the packaging.
Brands to consider
ALDI
ALDI lists products including Fijn volkoren heel and Boeren tijger volkoren heel in its bread range.
- The range also includes a separate Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood.
- Check the nutritional information for that variant separately; its name doesn’t describe the other loaves.
Lidl
Lidl lists Tijgervolkoren heel vloerbrood as an in-store product.
- It’s clearly identified as a wholemeal loaf baked on the oven floor.
- Check that the bread is available at your store before you set off.
Jumbo
Jumbo provides online product information for items including Fijn Volkoren.
- Jumbo Fijn Volkoren lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The product lists wheat, barley and gluten; always check the latest packaging for allergen information.
PLUS
PLUS lists products including Volkoren tijger heel and Boeren volkoren heel.
- The product information gives separate fibre and salt values per 100 g for these two loaves.
- PLUS notes that product information may vary by location, so check the label on the loaf you buy too.
Dirk
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren heel and Vloerbrood volkoren heel.
- These product names make it easy to search specifically for a whole wholemeal loaf.
- Check the weight and nutritional information on each pack if you want to compare the loaves.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists AH Tijger volkoren heel on its online bread page.
- The whole tiger wholemeal loaf is clearly listed as a separate product.
- Check the packaging if ingredients or allergens will affect your choice.
Related Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose between a whole and a half loaf of wholemeal bread?
Choose a loaf size to suit the number of people eating and the other dishes at the barbecue. A half loaf may be enough for a small group; if you buy a whole loaf, you can freeze any unused portions straight away.
Can I freeze wholemeal bread before the barbecue?
Yes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it. According to the Storage Guide, opened wholemeal bread will keep in the freezer for 1–3 months; its quality may deteriorate over time.
Should I check the allergens in wholemeal bread?
Yes, check the allergens in the specific loaf if they matter to anyone at the table. Jumbo lists wheat and barley, among other ingredients, in Fijn Volkoren; the allergen profile may differ for another loaf.
Does baker’s salt mean that all wholemeal bread contains iodine?
You can’t tell this from the product category alone for every loaf. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the permitted presence of added iodine compounds in bread through baker’s salt; check the ingredients for the specific product.