Which bread format is right for you?

Commuter in a hurry

If you want to leave without slicing or extensive preparation, sliced wholemeal bread is a practical choice. If you buy a whole loaf, check its format and any storage or freezing instructions.

Fibre is your top priority

First check that the bread is labelled wholemeal, then compare the fibre and salt per 100 g on the packaging of the loaves you’re considering.

Breakfast lover looking for more flavour

A tiger-crust, farmhouse or hearth-baked loaf may suit your preference for a different crust or texture. Check the ingredients and allergens for the specific variety too.

What should you look for?

For a breakfast you can grab and go, it helps to decide what matters most to you first, then compare bread formats and labels.

What matters What to check Who it matters to
Easy to grab and go Whether the bread is sliced and whether its format suits your breakfast without any preparation. If I’m making breakfast just before leaving, I don’t want to have to slice a whole loaf first. This convenience is the deciding factor for around 33% of consumers.
Wholemeal and nutritional value Check that it’s labelled wholemeal; compare fibre and salt on the same basis, such as per 100 g. When I’m mainly concerned about the nutritional content, I want to be able to compare loaves using their labels. This is the top priority for around 27% of consumers.
Storage and waste The storage advice and whether freezing is recommended for this variety. If I don’t have breakfast at home every day, I want to avoid having some of a whole loaf left over. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers.
Flavour and texture The bread style described, its crust and ingredients, including allergens. Even on a busy morning, I want a bread texture I enjoy, without choosing based only on a premium-sounding name. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark bread is wholemeal

    The colour or style of a loaf doesn’t tell you whether it’s made from wholemeal flour. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour.

    Look for the wholemeal label on the packaging, then compare the other features.

  • Treating a premium-sounding name as a product specification

    Words on the packaging don’t tell you how much fibre or salt a loaf contains. The Voedingscentrum states that there are no fixed legal criteria for using terms such as ‘fresh’ and ‘artisan’.

    Check the ingredients, nutritional information and storage instructions for the bread itself.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan

    If you only have breakfast at home occasionally, you may have some of a whole loaf left over before you finish it. Freezing advice varies by product.

    Check the instructions for your loaf and, if freezing is allowed, divide it into portions if needed.

  • Overlooking allergens in a different bread style

    A tiger crust, seeds or other additions can change a variety’s ingredients and allergen information. According to the Voedingscentrum, gluten are harmful to people with coeliac disease.

    Check the current ingredients and allergen information for every variety; don’t rely on the bread’s name or appearance.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

With AH Extra lang lekker Zaans volkoren heel, Albert Heijn offers an example of a soft, sandwich-style loaf.

  • Albert Heijn describes this bread as soft and airy, and says it can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
  • Check the current nutritional information and storage instructions for the pack you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s recipe for wholemeal bread with peanut butter shows how simple a topped slice of bread can be.

  • The recipe gives a preparation time of two minutes for the combination.
  • A recipe doesn’t tell you about the nutritional values or allergens of the specific bread you buy.

Lidl

Lidl has presented tiger-crust wholemeal hearth bread and a wholemeal seeded roll as two different bread formats.

  • The format gives you a clear starting point if you prefer a hearth-baked loaf or a roll.
  • The tiger-crust wholemeal hearth bread was listed as a limited-time in-store offer; check current availability and the packaging.

Aldi

Aldi offers both sliced Fijn volkoren and a separate Extra vezelrijk volkoren variety.

  • With Fijn volkoren, the sliced format is a practical choice for a quick sandwich.
  • Compare the nutritional values of the variety you choose on its label; the name of another variety doesn’t apply to this bread.

Plus

Plus lists products including Boeren volkoren heel and Korenlanders Boeren tijger volkoren heel.

  • According to Plus product information, Boeren volkoren heel contains 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The tiger-crust variety has its own ingredients and allergen information; check these separately.

Dirk

Dirk lists several wholemeal breads from Bakker van der Akker, including farmhouse varieties.

  • The different bread styles give you the option to choose a format that suits your breakfast.
  • Compare the nutritional values on the packaging of the specific variety, rather than relying on the range name.

Wholemeal bread at Joybuy

This flatbread is an option if you’d rather tear your bread than slice it for a quick breakfast. Check that the ingredients and allergens suit your needs.

Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat 6 P

Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat 6 P

The flatbread format described is a good fit for a breakfast where you want to tear your bread and eat it straight away. The product is labelled Whole Wheat; check the full ingredients list and wholemeal labelling on the packaging. According to the product information provided, it contains wheat and gluten; check the allergen information too.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is dark or brown bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. Check the wholemeal labelling on the packaging rather than judging by colour alone.

Do words such as ‘premium’ or ‘artisan’ tell you anything about nutritional value?

No, these words don’t tell you how much fibre or salt the bread contains. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check the ingredients for the variety you want to buy.

Can I freeze a wholemeal loaf for busy mornings?

You can if the instructions for that specific loaf say it can be frozen. Albert Heijn gives this advice for AH Extra lang lekker Zaans volkoren heel on the day of purchase; Plus gives the same advice for Korenlanders Boeren tijger volkoren heel. Always follow the storage instructions on the current packaging.

Is ordinary wholemeal bread gluten-free?

No, don’t assume it is. Wholemeal bread may contain cereals containing gluten. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you choose, and make sure any gluten-free claim is explicitly stated on the packaging.