Everyday budget shoppers
You regularly buy bread for sandwiches and want to compare whole loaves without assuming that one loaf is the same quantity as another of the same weight.
Who is this relevant to?
Shoppers who want to check the label
You want to know whether the bread is described as wholemeal, and also check the ingredients, fibre per 100 g and allergens.
Smaller households
You don’t always finish a whole loaf before it goes stale. Choosing a suitable size or freezing it in portions can help you decide.
What should you look for?
First work out how much bread you use. Then compare the size and read the labels on loaves that suit your needs.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Size and weight | Compare like with like, and check the stated weight if the loaves aren’t the same size. | When buying bread every day, I want to compare quantities without treating different sizes as equivalent. Around 46% of consumers put this comparison first. |
| Label and allergens | Check the product description and ingredients; compare the nutritional information per 100 g and read the allergen statement. | I want to know what kind of wholemeal bread I’m buying and whether the ingredients suit my needs. Around 27% of consumers put checking the label first. |
| How much you use and storage | Choose a suitable size and check the storage instructions if you want to freeze the bread. | If I won’t finish a whole loaf quickly, I want to avoid some of it going stale. Preventing waste is the main concern for around 27% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming all whole loaves contain the same quantity
Not every loaf has the same weight listed. So the word ‘whole’ alone doesn’t tell you how much bread you’re getting.
Compare the weight on the packaging or shelf label, and keep different loaf shapes separate.
-
Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt in baking isn’t compulsory. So you can’t tell whether it’s present just from the name wholemeal bread.
Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt, or ask the baker.
-
Buying a whole loaf you won’t finish in time
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 4 days. A whole loaf won’t suit everyone’s needs.
If needed, choose a smaller loaf or freeze a whole loaf in portions as soon as you buy it. For a specific product, follow the instructions on the packaging too.
-
Skipping the allergen statement
The wholemeal breads listed don’t all have the same ingredients or statements about the possible presence of allergens.
If you have allergies or intolerances, always check the current packaging, even if you’ve bought the bread before.
Brands and shops to consider
ALDI
ALDI Netherlands lists Fijn volkoren heel as a sliced, whole loaf.
- An option to consider if you’re looking for a sliced whole loaf.
- Check the weight on the packaging if you want to compare quantities.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes Fijn Volkorenbrood as a wholemeal wheat loaf.
- The product information lists the ingredients, allergens and 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Jumbo says this bread contains wheat and barley; check the current allergen statement.
PLUS
PLUS describes Volkoren tijger heel as a whole wholemeal wheat loaf.
- PLUS says this loaf can be frozen at home on the day you buy it.
- The product instructions say to use the frozen bread within one month.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists AH Rond volkoren heel as a whole wholemeal loaf.
- The product information lists iodised salt and 6,9 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Check the current packaging: ingredients and product information may change.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands lists Fijn volkoren as an 800 g loaf sold in store.
- The stated weight helps you compare quantities.
- Check the label in store for the details that matter to your choice.
Dirk
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren heel in its bread range.
- A whole wholemeal loaf to consider if you shop at Dirk.
- Dirk doesn’t list its own delivery service, so you’ll need to visit a shop.
Wholemeal bread at Joybuy
These products come in different styles: a Bolletje option, a round loaf to bake at home and Lebanese flatbread. First choose the style you’ll actually use, then compare the information on the packaging.
Image unavailable
Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g
Consider this option if you’re looking for rye bread; according to the product name, the pack contains 500 g. Before buying, check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.
Image unavailable
Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g
This pack of two round loaves is a good option if you want to bake bread at home. Allow time for defrosting, and check the packaging for the oven requirements and cooking time.
Image unavailable
Souq Libanees volkorenbrood, 6 stuks
This Lebanese flatbread is suited to meals where you’re looking for flatbread, rather than comparing whole sliced loaves. Check the storage and allergen information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Does every Dutch wholemeal loaf contain baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt in baking isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt, or ask the baker.
What should I do if I can’t finish a whole loaf quickly?
Freeze the bread in portions as soon as you buy it, or choose a size that suits how much you use. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 4 days, or in the freezer for 1 to 3 months; also follow any shorter, product-specific instructions.
Which label details help when comparing wholemeal bread?
Start with the product description and ingredients list, then compare nutritional values on the same basis, such as per 100 g. Also read the allergen statement; for example, Jumbo lists wheat and barley for Fijn Volkorenbrood.