Households that eat bread every day
You’re looking for a familiar wholemeal loaf for breakfast or lunch, and want to choose a loaf type and size that suit what your household eats.
Who are these choices for?
Households comparing nutritional values
You look beyond the word wholemeal and compare the fibre and salt per 100 g in specific loaves, too.
Smaller households
You don’t eat much bread every day, so you’d prefer a half loaf, or you freeze a whole loaf in portions to help cut down on waste.
What should you look for when choosing?
When shopping on a budget, first check that the bread is labelled wholemeal. Then work out what size you’ll get through and compare the nutritional information for the options that suit you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Most relevant for |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and quantity | Look for the wholemeal label and check the type and weight of loaf. | For my everyday sandwiches, I want a clearly labelled wholemeal loaf in a size that suits our household. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Fibre and salt | Compare both values in the nutritional information per 100 g. | If fibre or salt is what guides my choice, I want to compare specific loaves on the same basis. Around 33% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
| Portions and storage | Choose between a half and a whole loaf; check whether you can freeze a whole loaf in portions straight away. | I don’t eat much bread and want to avoid leaving some uneaten. For around 25% of consumers, reducing waste matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark or seeded bread is wholemeal
The colour and words such as ‘seeded’ don’t, by themselves, tell you whether packaged bread is wholemeal.
Look for the wholemeal label before comparing other features. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says packaged wholemeal bread should carry this label.
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Choosing a whole loaf without a storage plan
If you don’t eat much bread, some may be left over before you finish it.
Choose a half loaf, or freeze a whole loaf in portions on the day you buy it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing wholemeal bread for 2–4 days in a bread bin and 1–3 months in the freezer.
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Looking only at a fibre claim
Loaves can vary in their fibre, salt and ingredients. A claim about fibre doesn’t tell you anything about the salt content or allergens in that particular loaf.
Read the nutritional information per 100 g and, if you have an allergy, check the latest ingredients and allergen information.
Brands compared
Albert Heijn
AH Wholemeal, whole loaf, is a wholemeal option sold as a full loaf.
- Albert Heijn lists 6,9 g of fibre and 0,9 g of salt per 100 g for this loaf, and includes iodised salt in the ingredients.
- Check the packaging when you buy it: Albert Heijn says product information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo Coarse Wholemeal is a coarser wholemeal option.
- Jumbo lists 7,8 g of fibre and 0,97 g of salt per 100 g for this loaf.
- Check which coarse wholemeal loaf you’re actually buying before relying on its nutritional values.
Lidl
Lidl lists Fine Wholemeal as a loaf available to buy in store.
- Lidl gives the weight of this loaf as 800 g.
- If fibre or salt is important to your choice, check the nutritional information on the loaf in store.
ALDI
ALDI lists, among other options, fine wholemeal bread and an extra-high-fibre wholemeal loaf.
- The different options give you a reason to compare the nutritional information for each loaf.
- A feature of the extra-high-fibre option doesn’t automatically apply to fine wholemeal or other ALDI loaves.
PLUS
PLUS lists whole and half wholemeal loaves, including PLUS Farmer’s Wholemeal, Whole Loaf.
- PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g for Farmer’s Wholemeal, Whole Loaf.
- The ingredients for this loaf include wheat gluten and soya flour; if you have an allergy, check the label of the loaf you choose.
Dirk
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker wholemeal loaves, including a farmhouse wholemeal loaf and an extra-fibre option.
- You can check the loaf type and nutritional information for each option to see which suits you.
- Don’t assume the extra-fibre option’s features apply to the regular farmhouse wholemeal loaf without checking the label.
Wholemeal bread and flatbread at Joybuy
These products include Lebanese wholemeal flatbread and round wholemeal loaves that you defrost and bake at home. When choosing, consider the type of bread, the quantity in each pack and how it needs to be prepared.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat 6 P
A good choice if you’re looking for Lebanese wholemeal flatbread rather than a regular whole loaf. Bear in mind the different shape when deciding how much your household needs.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g
Two round wholemeal loaves for anyone who can use or store this quantity. The loaves need to be defrosted and baked at home, so allow time and make sure you have an oven.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
A round wholemeal loaf if one 550 g loaf suits how much you eat better than a pack of two. This loaf also needs to be defrosted and baked at home.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if bread is wholemeal?
Check that packaged bread is explicitly labelled wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, this label must appear on the packaging; a dark colour or the word ‘multigrain’ in the name isn’t enough on its own.
Is all Dutch wholemeal bread made with iodised baker’s salt?
You can’t assume this is the case for every loaf. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bread through baker’s salt; check the ingredients list for the option you choose.
How should I store wholemeal bread if I don’t eat bread every day?
A half loaf may suit you better if you don’t eat much; you can freeze a whole loaf in portions on the day you buy it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing wholemeal bread for 2–4 days in a bread bin and 1–3 months in the freezer.
Should I check the allergens in wholemeal bread?
Yes. If you have an allergy, check the latest ingredients and allergen information for the specific loaf. Ingredients vary between options; for example, PLUS lists wheat gluten and soya flour in Farmer’s Wholemeal, Whole Loaf.