Who should consider these factors?

Families who eat a lot of bread

If your family gets through several loaves a week, the weight of each loaf and how much you actually eat both matter. A whole loaf and a half loaf are not the same amount.

Families who stock up on bread

If you shop for several days at a time, it helps to have portions you can put straight into the freezer. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing bread in portions after buying it and taking out only what you need each day.

Families who compare labels

If you have requirements around ingredients or allergens, the information for the bread you choose is what matters. Compare nutritional values using the same units, and check the packaging again when you buy it next time.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with how much your family actually eats. Then consider whether you want to freeze some bread, and which loaf shape and label information matter to you.

What to consider What to check Who it matters most to
Amount per shop Check the loaf weight, and don’t assume a whole loaf and a half loaf are directly comparable. If we eat a lot of sandwiches at home, I want to know how much bread I’m actually bringing home. Around 36% of consumers put this first when buying for everyday family use.
Stock and food waste Work out how much bread you’ll use straight away and what you can freeze in portions on the day you buy it. I like to shop for several days at a time, but I don’t want unused bread to dry out or go to waste. For around 29% of consumers, managing their stock sensibly is the main concern.
Label and ingredients Check that it is labelled wholemeal, along with the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information, such as fibre and salt per 100 g. When the ingredients matter to my family, I want to be able to assess the exact variant rather than rely on the bread’s name. Around 21% of consumers give checking the label the highest priority.
Loaf shape Choose between options such as fine, coarse, round, whole or half a loaf, depending on what your family eats. Stocking up is no use if the loaf you choose is left uneaten at home. That’s why around 14% of consumers say their family’s preferences matter most.

Common mistakes

  • Treating a whole loaf and a half loaf as the same amount

    Loaves vary in weight and size. Comparing them by name alone tells you little about how many slices your family will have at home.

    Check the weight of the exact variant and, where possible, compare loaves of the same size.

  • Buying extra loaves without a storage plan

    Bread that isn’t eaten in time can dry out or go to waste. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it.

    Match the amount you buy to your family’s consumption, and take only the portions you need out of the freezer.

  • Assuming multigrain means wholemeal

    Multigrain doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, packaged wholemeal bread is labelled as wholemeal.

    Check the product description for the loaf you’re choosing rather than relying on its appearance or name alone.

  • Relying on an ingredients list you read before

    A product’s ingredients can change. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for pre-packed products is shown on the label.

    Check the information for the exact variant every time you buy it. If the bread is unpackaged, ask the shop about allergens.

Brands and shops to consider

The shops listed here stock various types of wholemeal bread. Which variant is right for your family depends on the product description, size and current packaging.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists products including AH Extra lang lekker volkoren heel and AH Rond volkoren heel.

  • The ingredients list for AH Rond volkoren heel states that it contains iodised salt.
  • Check the ingredients for the variant you choose; this information for one loaf doesn’t automatically apply to other loaves.

Jumbo

The own-brand range includes various wholemeal loaves, including fine, coarse and other types.

  • The product list makes it easy to compare different types of loaf.
  • Check whether each variant is a whole or half loaf, and note its weight.

Lidl

Lidl lists an 800 g Fijn volkoren loaf, which the product page says is available in store only.

  • The stated weight makes it easier to compare amounts of bread.
  • You’ll need to visit a shop to assess this variant in person.

Aldi

Aldi lists Fijn volkoren heel, as well as a separate extra-high-fibre wholemeal option.

  • The two variants offer a choice between a standard loaf and one with a different product composition.
  • The extra-high-fibre variant’s properties don’t automatically apply to Fijn volkoren heel; check both labels separately.

Plus

Plus stocks round and farmhouse-style wholemeal loaves, among other options.

  • For PLUS Boeren volkoren heel, fibre and salt are listed per 100 g, so you can compare these figures with another label using the same units.
  • Check the packaging for the exact variant, as product information can change.

Dirk

Dirk’s bread range includes products such as Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren heel.

  • The bread selection includes several variants to compare by shape and size.
  • Don’t treat the details for one farmhouse-style wholemeal loaf as product information for every other wholemeal variant.

Wholemeal bread on Joybuy

These two round wholemeal country loaves are available as a pack of two or as a single loaf. Choose the amount that suits your family, and check the storage instructions and any preparation steps before buying.

Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, two 550 g loaves

Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 2 × 550 g

The two-loaf pack could suit a family that gets through several loaves at a time. Check how to store the loaves and whether they need to be defrosted and baked before use. Also read the allergen information on the packaging.

View on Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 550 g

A single 550 g loaf is an option if you don’t need a pack of two. Check the storage instructions, any baking steps and the allergen information for this variant.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I freeze wholemeal bread if I’m buying enough for several days?

Yes. Freezing it in portions means you can take out only what your family needs. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it. For a specific product, also follow the storage instructions on the packaging.

How can I tell whether a loaf is genuinely wholemeal?

Check the product description for the exact variant and look for the wholemeal label. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, packaged wholemeal bread is labelled as wholemeal; the term multigrain doesn’t confirm this on its own.

Where can I find allergen information for the bread I’m buying?

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for pre-packed bread is shown on the label. Check the current packaging for the exact variant. If the bread is unpackaged, you can ask the shop for this information before buying it.