For your first shop, choose packaged bread labelled as wholemeal; a brown colour or the name ‘multigrain’ is no substitute. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients for the exact variety, and choose a type and quantity that suit how you use and store your bread.
You want to be able to check that your breakfast or lunch bread is wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g. According to the Voedingscentrum, packaged wholemeal bread must be labelled as wholemeal.
If you’re shopping for one or two people, the size and storage instructions can affect whether you finish a whole loaf. The Voedingscentrum lists bread as a food that is often wasted; PLUS says its Boeren volkoren heel loaf can be frozen at home.
The name of the bread alone won’t tell you which grains and other ingredients the exact variety contains. Jumbo lists wheat and barley in its Fijn Volkoren; PLUS lists wheat, barley and soya, among other ingredients, in its Boeren volkoren. So always check the current packaging of the bread you choose.
First, check that the packaged bread is labelled as wholemeal. Then decide what quantity and texture work for you, and compare the nutritional information and ingredients of the varieties you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g of the exact varieties. | I want to be able to see that my bread is wholemeal and how much fibre the chosen variety contains. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Quantity and storage | Check the weight, whether you can choose a whole or half loaf, and the storage instructions. | If I don’t eat much bread, I don’t want to buy a larger loaf than I can use or store. Getting the right quantity is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Texture and type of bread | Consider whether you want a fine or coarse texture, sliced bread or another type; for less familiar types, check that they’re labelled as wholemeal too. | For my everyday breakfast or lunch, the slice or type of bread needs to be easy to use. This preference determines the choice for around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Check the allergens and ingredients on the current packaging; compare salt per 100 g if it’s relevant to your choice. | I need to know which grains and other ingredients are in this particular bread before choosing it. This product check is the top priority for around 17% of consumers. |
Those words alone don’t confirm that a loaf is wholemeal. According to the Voedingscentrum, brown bread contains a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour.
For packaged bread, look for the wholemeal label and check the ingredients of the exact variety. If the bread is unwrapped, ask what type it is.
If you only use a few slices, some of the bread may go uneaten. The Voedingscentrum lists bread as a food that is often wasted.
Compare whole and half loaves, and read the storage instructions before choosing a size.
The information for a specific variety doesn’t tell you about every loaf from the same supermarket. Jumbo lists 7.6 g of fibre and 1.0 g of salt per 100 g for Fijn Volkoren; PLUS lists 6.7 g of fibre and 1.03 g of salt per 100 g for Boeren volkoren.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g on the current packaging of the loaves you’re choosing between.
‘Wholemeal’ doesn’t tell you which other ingredients or allergens a specific variety contains. The Jumbo and PLUS loaves mentioned list different ingredients and allergens.
Check the ingredients and allergen information every time you buy bread; if it’s unwrapped, ask which ingredients have been used.
These examples show the types of bread and product information you may find at different supermarkets. Check the packaging for the exact variety: information about one loaf doesn’t automatically apply to the rest of the range.
Albert Heijn offers a range of wholemeal breads, including whole and half loaves, as well as varieties with different shapes or preparation methods.
Jumbo offers fine and coarse wholemeal bread, among other options; its Fijn Volkoren page includes nutritional information and allergen details.
Lidl offers Fijn Volkoren, among other options, as an 800 g loaf.
ALDI offers standard wholemeal bread and a variety named Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood (‘Extra high-fibre wholemeal bread’).
PLUS offers whole wholemeal loaves and varieties in other shapes, with product information for individual breads.
Dirk offers Vloerbrood volkoren heel (‘wholemeal artisan loaf’), among other options, as well as an extra-high-fibre wholemeal variety from Bakker van der Akker.
These Joybuy products are flatbreads and round loaves, not a selection of standard sliced supermarket breads. When choosing, consider the type of bread, quantity and any preparation required, and check the packaging to see whether it’s labelled as wholemeal.
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A good choice if you’d rather have Lebanese flatbread for breakfast or lunch than sliced bread. Check the current packaging for the wholemeal label, ingredients and allergens.
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This 550 g round loaf is a good option if you’re happy to set aside time to bake it at home and slice it afterwards. Allow time for defrosting and cooling, and check the preparation instructions, ingredients and wholemeal label on the packaging.
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The pack contains two round loaves, each weighing 550 g, so it’s best suited to anyone who can plan how they’ll use both. Allow time to prepare each loaf, and check the storage and preparation instructions and the wholemeal label on the packaging.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, brown bread is made from a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour. For packaged bread, look for the wholemeal label rather than relying on the colour or the name ‘multigrain’.
No. You’ll need to check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety. Jumbo Fijn Volkoren lists wheat and barley; PLUS Boeren volkoren lists wheat, barley and soya, among other ingredients.
Check the ingredients on the exact pack or, for unwrapped bread, ask which salt has been used. The wholemeal label doesn’t tell you which type of salt the loaf contains.
Choose a smaller size or check whether you can freeze the loaf according to the product instructions. PLUS says its Boeren volkoren heel can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month; for other loaves, follow the instructions on their own packaging.
