Budget-conscious snack lovers
You’re looking for bread sold as wholemeal and mainly want to choose the right amount for the evening. Before picking up a whole loaf, think about whether you’ll use the leftover slices.
Who is this for?
Small households looking to use up their bread
Half a loaf may suit you if you only need some of it. If you buy a whole loaf, storage is an important part of the decision: check the pack for freezing instructions.
Shoppers comparing labels
You want to know whether your chosen product is wholemeal bread and may compare things such as fibre and salt per 100 g. If you have an allergy, the current ingredients and allergen information for that specific variety is what matters most.
What should you look for?
Start by considering how much bread you’ll use during your snack night and how much you can store. Then check the product description and label for the variety you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Staying within your budget | Think about how much bread you’ll use and whether you’ll store any leftovers. | When I buy bread for one evening, I don’t want to take home much more than I’ll use. Around 31% of consumers put this consideration first. |
| Wholemeal bread and nutritional information | Read the product description and compare the fibre and salt in the exact varieties per 100 g. | I want to know what bread I’m serving, so I look beyond the name on the front of the pack; for around 31% of consumers, checking the label is a key consideration. |
| Portion size and storage | Check the pack weight and the instructions for storing any leftover bread. | For a small snack night, I don’t want to throw the rest away. This is the most important consideration for around 23% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen list; check the salt content too if it matters to your choice. | If the ingredients matter for my situation, I want to read the pack for that variety rather than make assumptions based on the type of bread. Around 15% of consumers prioritise this. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing a whole loaf without thinking about how you’ll use it
A larger loaf isn’t automatically practical for an evening when you only need a few slices.
Choose an amount based on how many people you’re serving, and decide in advance what you’ll do with any leftover bread.
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Leaving it too late to store leftover slices
According to the Voedingscentrum, bread is among the foods that are often wasted. Storage instructions vary by product.
Check the label if you want to freeze your bread. For the half loaf of wholemeal bread reviewed, PLUS says to freeze it on the day of purchase.
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Treating ‘wholemeal’ and ‘high in fibre’ as the same product description
A statement about fibre doesn’t, on its own, tell you whether a product is sold as wholemeal bread. Nutritional values also relate to a specific variety.
Read the product description and ingredients, and compare nutritional values on the same basis: per 100 g.
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Assuming a bread’s allergens or iodised salt content from its type
Ingredients and allergen warnings can vary between loaves. You should also check whether the product contains iodised salt.
When buying, read the current ingredients and allergen list rather than relying solely on a product page you viewed earlier.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The AH Volkoren heel reviewed has a product page with ingredients and nutritional information.
- Albert Heijn lists ingredients including wholemeal wheat flour and iodised salt.
- The page reviewed said this particular bread was no longer in the range. Check for a current product before buying.
Jumbo
Jumbo Fijn Volkoren is one of the wholemeal loaves reviewed.
- Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre and 1,00 g of salt per 100 g for this bread.
- The product contains wheat and barley; also check the current warnings for other possible allergens.
Lidl
Lidl lists an 800 g Fijn volkoren variety.
- The stated pack weight helps you decide whether a whole loaf will suit your snack night.
- Lidl describes the product reviewed as available in store only.
ALDI
The range reviewed includes Fijn volkoren heel and a separate Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood.
- The two product names make it clear that these are different varieties.
- Don’t treat a statement about fibre or salt for the extra-fibre variety as nutritional information for Fijn volkoren.
PLUS
PLUS offers products including Korenlanders Boeren tijger volkoren 1/2, the half loaf reviewed.
- The pack contains 400 g. PLUS says to freeze this product on the day of purchase.
- Check the storage and allergen information on the pack you buy.
Dirk
The Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren heel was reviewed at Dirk.
- The product name identifies it as a wholemeal loaf.
- Check the product’s pack weight and nutritional information before comparing it with other breads.
Bread options on Joybuy
These options include flatbread to serve at a snack night and round loaves that need preparing before you eat them. Choose based on the type of bread you want, the quantity you need and how much preparation time you have.
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Souq Lebanese wholemeal flatbread, 6 pieces
An option for serving flatbread at your snack night. The pack contains six pieces; check the current ingredients and allergen information.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread, 550 g
For a snack night when you have time to prepare the bread. This 550 g loaf needs to be thawed and baked before eating; allow time for it to cool too.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread, 2 x 550 g
For anyone who wants to keep bread for later as well as for snack night. The pack contains two loaves, each weighing 550 g; both need to be thawed, baked and cooled before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose a whole or half loaf of wholemeal bread?
Half a loaf suits a snack night when you only need a few slices; a whole loaf may work if you’ll use the rest or store it according to the pack instructions. The half loaf from PLUS that was reviewed contains 400 g.
Can I freeze wholemeal bread for later?
For the half loaf of wholemeal bread reviewed, PLUS says to freeze it on the day of purchase and use it within one month. Check the instructions on the pack of the bread you choose.
Does all wholemeal bread contain iodised salt?
Don’t assume so without checking the label. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for the AH Volkoren heel reviewed; check the ingredients list for any other bread.
Should I check for allergens in wholemeal bread?
Yes. Allergen information relates to a specific product and can vary between varieties. Check the current packaging, even if you’ve looked at a product page before.