For everyday sandwiches, first look for bread labelled ‘wholemeal’, then choose a whole or half loaf to suit how much you get through. If you want a finely sliced loaf, check both that it’s labelled ‘sliced’ and what the slices actually look like: ‘fine’ doesn’t specify a set slice thickness. Also check the ingredients and allergens for the loaf you choose; don’t assume it contains baker’s salt.
If bread regularly features at the table or in your lunchbox, the main thing to consider is whether you’ll get through a whole loaf. If you vary the bread you eat, a half loaf or freezing portions may suit you better. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread among the foods that are often wasted.
You want wholemeal bread that’s easy to top, but don’t want to find out at home that it’s unsliced. So check the bread’s texture, whether it’s labelled ‘sliced’ and the slices of the specific product separately.
If fibre, salt, ingredients or allergens influence your choice, compare the nutritional information for the loaves you’re considering. Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt if that information matters to you.
Start by looking for the label ‘wholemeal’. Then choose a size you’ll get through, and consider whether the texture and slice suit your everyday sandwiches.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and nutritional information | Look for the label ‘wholemeal’ on the bread. If you like, compare fibre and salt per 100 g across the loaves you’re considering. | If I want wholemeal bread, I don’t want to base my choice only on its colour or visible seeds; around 36% of consumers prioritise the wholemeal label. |
| Size and how much you use | Check whether it’s a whole or half loaf and how much you’ll get through. If you plan to freeze it, check whether you can store it in portions. | If my bread consumption varies, I don’t want to throw away part of a whole loaf; for around 29% of consumers, choosing a size they’ll finish is the main concern. |
| Texture and slices | Check whether the loaf is pre-sliced and look at the slices themselves. ‘Fine’ doesn’t automatically mean a particular slice thickness. | My everyday sandwich needs to suit my fillings and lunchbox; around 21% of consumers prioritise a practical slice. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety. Check whether it contains baker’s salt if that matters to your choice. | When I choose a loaf, I want to know what’s in that particular variety; for around 14% of consumers, checking the label comes first. |
These words don’t mean the same thing. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from the whole grain; ‘multigrain’ means that several types of grain are used.
For this choice, first look for the label ‘wholemeal’, then consider the other features.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell from the type of bread alone whether it’s in the ingredients.
Check the ingredients list for the loaf you’re actually buying.
A larger loaf is no use if you end up throwing some away. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread among the foods that are often wasted.
Choose a half loaf if that better suits how much you eat, or freeze portions of a whole loaf.
‘Fine’ and ‘sliced’ tell you different things: one describes the style of bread, while the other tells you it’s been sliced. Neither guarantees the same slice thickness for every loaf.
If you’re looking for a medium-thick slice, check the slices on the packaging or in store.
These shops offer a starting point for comparing wholemeal loaves by shape and slice; check the details of the loaf you choose.
Albert Heijn lists standard wholemeal loaves and sliced wholemeal varieties in its online bread range.
Jumbo lists a Fijn Volkorenbrood as a whole loaf.
Lidl describes Knip volkoren as an 800 g sliced loaf, available in store only.
ALDI lists fine wholemeal bread in both whole and half loaves in its bread range.
PLUS lists round fine wholemeal loaves in both whole and half sizes.
Dirk lists several wholemeal breads, including whole and half loaves.
This Joybuy pick is for anyone who wants to bake a whole loaf at home and slice it themselves. If you want ready-sliced bread, bear that difference in mind when choosing.
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For anyone who wants to bake a whole loaf themselves: this 550 g frozen bread is sliced at home after baking and cooling.
The product description lists wholemeal wheat flour. Check the baking instructions and look at the packaging for the Dutch wholemeal label, ingredients and allergens before choosing it as your everyday bread.
Look for the label ‘wholemeal’ on the bread or packaging. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from the whole grain; then check the slice and loaf size separately.
No, ‘multigrain’ on its own doesn’t mean a loaf is wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the term means that several types of grain are used; for this choice, look specifically for ‘wholemeal’.
No, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for the specific loaf if this information matters to your choice.
Choose a loaf size to suit how much you eat and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. If you won’t get through a whole loaf in time, choose a half loaf or freeze it in portions.
Yes, check the allergen information for the specific variety. For example, Jumbo’s product information lists wheat and barley in its Fijn Volkorenbrood; don’t assume another loaf contains the same ingredients.
