Who should consider the slicing style?

Hosts serving a variety of toppings

If you’re making lots of sandwiches at once, even slices are easier to top and cut into buffet portions. Check how the loaf is sliced and consider whether the slices will support the toppings you’ve chosen.

Shoppers comparing nutritional information

For these shoppers, the fibre and salt content per 100 g or per portion matters. The nutritional information for the specific loaf is more useful than the word ‘wholemeal’ on the front of the pack alone.

Shoppers with questions about allergens or iodine

When you’re serving a buffet to several guests, check the ingredients and allergen information for each loaf. You can’t tell from the product category alone whether a loaf contains iodine-enriched baker’s salt, so check the ingredients list.

What should you look for when choosing?

For your Boxing Day buffet, first decide which slice will work best with your toppings and the portions you want to serve. Then compare the nutritional information and check the ingredients for the guests who’ll be eating.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Slice and portion Look for a clear description of how the loaf is sliced. For pre-sliced bread, check the slices, or choose a whole loaf if you want to decide how thick they are yourself. If I’m making lots of small sandwiches with different toppings, I want even slices without having to cut all the bread myself. Around 45% of consumers put the slicing style first.
Fibre and salt Compare nutritional values on the same basis, preferably per 100 g. If you’re using values per slice, check the portion size too. When I serve bread alongside other buffet food, I want to compare the fibre and salt in the loaves I’ve chosen. Around 33% of consumers give this nutritional information top priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information. If you have questions about iodine-enriched baker’s salt, look for it on the label. If guests have questions about ingredients, I want to know what’s in the bread before serving it. Around 22% of consumers put this check first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘wholemeal’ tells you how thick the slices are

    Wholemeal describes the grain used, not the thickness of a slice. Terms such as fine, whole and unsliced don’t necessarily tell you whether you’ll get medium-thick slices for your buffet.

    Check the slicing information or look at the slices in store. If thickness is crucial, try a loaf in advance or choose one you can slice yourself.

  • Comparing fibre alone

    Salt content and buffet portion size also matter when comparing loaves. Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre and 1,00 g of salt per 100 g for Jumbo Fijn Volkoren; these values apply to that product.

    Compare loaves per 100 g and consider separately what you’ll serve with them.

  • Assuming every loaf contains iodine-enriched baker’s salt

    The Dutch baking industry describes the use of iodine-enriched baker’s salt in a voluntary agreement. The label ‘Dutch bread’ alone doesn’t tell you which salt has been used in a particular product.

    Check the current ingredients list if the presence of iodine-enriched baker’s salt matters to your choice.

  • Taking Boxing Day availability for granted

    A loaf being part of a supermarket’s usual range doesn’t guarantee you’ll be able to buy or order it from your chosen branch on the bank holiday.

    Shortly before Boxing Day, check your branch’s opening hours, stock and any order cut-off. Decide in advance what you could use as an alternative.

Supermarkets to consider

Jumbo

Jumbo’s online range includes Jumbo Fijn Volkoren and other wholemeal products.

  • For Jumbo Fijn Volkoren, Jumbo lists the ingredients, allergens, nutritional values and around 23 portions per pack.
  • The word ‘Fijn’ doesn’t confirm that this loaf has medium-thick slices. Check the slices if their size matters.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has an online wholemeal bread category, with a range of loaves and slicing options.

  • Sliced and unsliced options give you different ways to prepare buffet portions.
  • Check the slicing information and availability at your branch for the option you’ve chosen.

Lidl

Lidl describes both freshly baked bread and packaged loaves, and uses a fibre scale for packaged bread.

  • The information on packaged loaves gives you a starting point for checking the fibre content per 100 g.
  • Check the slicing style and the range at your specific branch before counting on a particular option.

Dirk

Dirk’s online range includes several wholemeal loaves from Bakker van der Akker, including half and whole loaves.

  • The options shown include boerenvolkoren and casinovolkoren.
  • For each loaf you choose, check the slicing style, ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging.

Wholemeal bread to slice yourself

If you want to choose the thickness of your buffet slices yourself, this round loaf is suited to thawing, baking and slicing at home. It needs preparing before you can add your toppings.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

This round loaf is a good option if you want to choose the slice thickness yourself for your buffet.

The pack contains 550 g. Allow time to thaw, bake and cool the loaf before slicing it; check the packaging for the baking time.

Before serving, check the current ingredients, allergens and nutritional values on the packaging.

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Frequently asked questions

Is wholemeal bread a good choice for a festive buffet?

Yes, if you want to serve wholemeal bread and choose an option that works with your toppings and the portions you want to serve. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as bread that contains fibre. You should also check the slicing style, ingredients and nutritional information for each product.

Which allergens should I check in buffet bread?

Check the current ingredients and allergen information for every loaf you serve. For example, Jumbo lists barley, gluten and wheat as present in Jumbo Fijn Volkoren, and also notes that other allergens may be present. This product information doesn’t replace checking the packaging.

How can I tell whether a loaf contains iodine-enriched baker’s salt?

Check the ingredients list for the specific loaf for a mention of iodine-enriched baker’s salt or another description of salt with added iodine. Don’t rely on the shop, the bread’s origin or the word ‘wholemeal’ alone.

Can I buy bread for the buffet in advance?

Yes, as long as you check the date and storage instructions for the loaf you choose and plan accordingly. For Jumbo Fijn Volkoren, for example, Jumbo refers to the date on the closure clip. If you want to see how well the slices take toppings, try that option in advance.