If you want to compare fibre
You want to be sure you’re buying wholemeal bread, then compare the fibre and salt per 100 g. That way, you won’t base your choice on the bread’s colour or name alone.
Who is this choice important for?
If your guests have different tastes
You’re looking for a loaf that goes well with a range of toppings, perhaps alongside a coarser or more rustic option for guests who prefer a different texture.
If you’re catering for different dietary needs
You want to be able to check ingredients and allergens before the buffet. Ordinary wholemeal wheat bread isn’t gluten-free, so it isn’t suitable for a guest with coeliac disease, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s guidance on gluten also explains.
What should you look for?
Start by checking that the bread is labelled wholemeal, then look at the nutritional information. Next, choose a texture and quantity to suit your buffet, and check any details needed for guests with specific dietary requirements separately.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check that the bread is labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g. | If fibre is my main concern, I want to compare the nutritional values rather than judge by a dark crust. Around 33% of consumers prioritise wholemeal bread and fibre. |
| Flavour and texture | Choose a fine or coarse texture, and check whether the bread is sliced. | When guests have different preferences, I don’t want to serve only a loaf with a particularly chewy texture. For around 25% of consumers, broad appeal is the top priority. |
| Serving and storage | If you’re buying in advance, check the shape of the loaf, portion size and storage instructions. | I want to be able to serve the bread easily without slicing more than I need. Around 25% of consumers give planning and serving the highest priority. |
| Allergens and iodine | Read the ingredients and allergen information; check for baker’s salt or iodised salt if iodine is relevant. | If a guest has a specific dietary restriction, I need to be able to check which bread is suitable. For around 17% of consumers, this check comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a dark or rustic loaf is wholemeal
Multigrain means that several types of grain have been used, while sourdough describes a way of raising the dough. Neither term on its own tells you that the bread is wholemeal.
Check the product description first, then compare the nutritional information per 100 g.
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Using a fibre claim to judge the whole loaf
A comparison with another loaf doesn’t automatically tell you about the bread’s texture, salt content or suitability for all your guests. For example, ALDI compares its Extra fibre-rich wholemeal bread with ordinary wholemeal bread; that claim doesn’t apply to all wholemeal breads.
Compare the nutrition tables per 100 g for the loaves you’re considering, and check the ingredients too.
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Assuming every loaf contains iodised salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when baking bread isn’t compulsory. So the word wholemeal doesn’t tell you which salt has been used.
Check the label for baker’s salt or iodised salt if that matters to your choice.
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Buying more types of bread than you can serve
Several whole loaves can leave you with more than you need, particularly if guests mainly choose one type.
Choose a main loaf first, then decide whether a second option would add anything. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it if you want to keep it.
Brands to consider
These examples show the wholemeal options and label information you may find from different brands. Check the current product and packaging before your buffet.
Albert Heijn
AH Boeren grof volkorenbrood heel is an example of a coarser-textured loaf.
- Albert Heijn lists 6,5 g of fibre per 100 g and iodised salt for this product.
- Albert Heijn marks this particular loaf as discontinued, so don’t count on finding this exact option for your buffet.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range of wholemeal breads includes fine, coarse, tiger and sunflower seed options.
- The different product descriptions can help you choose a main loaf and an alternative with a different texture.
- The individual page for Jumbo Grof Volkorenbrood heel says the product is no longer available online. Check which options you can buy.
Lidl
Lidl lists both Fijn volkoren and Rustiek volkoren desembrood.
- Lidl describes Fijn volkoren as an 800 g loaf and the sourdough bread as wholemeal wheat bread.
- Both are listed as in-store products. Check the packaging to compare nutritional values and allergens.
ALDI
ALDI distinguishes between sliced Fijn volkoren and Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood.
- ALDI describes Fijn volkoren as sliced, which can be handy for a buffet with a range of toppings.
- ALDI claims that Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood has 30% more fibre and 30% less salt than ordinary wholemeal bread. Don’t treat this brand comparison as a feature of other loaves.
PLUS
PLUS offers a boerenvolkorenbrood and a volkoren tijgerbrood, each with separate nutritional information.
- Per 100 g, PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt for Boeren volkoren heel, and 6,4 g of fibre and 0,99 g of salt for Volkoren tijger heel.
- Both breads contain wheat and gluten. Check the other allergen information for the tiger bread too.
Dirk
Dirk lists a wholemeal hearth loaf and a boerenvolkorenbrood, among other options.
- The hearth loaf gives you a different shape for the bread basket than a standard sliced loaf.
- If you’re choosing based on fibre, salt or allergens, compare the nutritional information on the packaging.
Wholemeal bread at Joybuy
These two breads offer a different way to serve bread at a buffet: flatbreads to share and a round loaf that needs some preparation. For both, check the packaging if the ingredients or iodine content matter to your guests.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pack
These wholemeal flatbreads are a good fit for a buffet where guests can share bread and enjoy it with dips.
If you’re catering for guests with dietary restrictions, check the packaging for wheat, gluten and possible traces of soya and milk. Also check the salt used if iodine is relevant.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g
This round wholemeal loaf is an option if you’d like to slice bread at the buffet and have space to prepare it in advance.
Allow time and oven space for defrosting, baking, cooling and slicing. Use the nutritional information on the packaging to compare fibre and salt per 100 g with other breads.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if bread is wholemeal?
Check whether the product description or packaging says wholemeal. A brown colour or the word multigrain isn’t enough; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, brown bread isn’t the same as wholemeal bread.
Does wholemeal bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when baking bread isn’t compulsory. If it matters to your choice, check the ingredients for baker’s salt or iodised salt.
Can I buy bread in advance for Boxing Day?
Yes, as long as you follow the storage instructions for the bread you choose. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it and taking out only what you need.
Is ordinary wholemeal wheat bread suitable for someone with coeliac disease?
No. Don’t choose ordinary wholemeal wheat bread for someone with coeliac disease. Wheat contains gluten, so check that any alternative is explicitly labelled gluten-free and review the full allergen information.
How should I store leftover wholemeal bread after the buffet?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and, if you want to keep the bread, freeze it in portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage guide recommends keeping wholemeal bread for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard or 1 to 3 months in the freezer. Check the condition of the bread before serving it too.