Who is this relevant to?

Families making generously topped snacks

If you want bread for generously topped sandwiches, don’t focus only on words such as ‘coarse’ or ‘hearty’. Check how thick the slices actually are on the packaging or in store.

Families buying bread in advance

If you’re buying several loaves at once, storage instructions become important. PLUS says that Grof volkoren heel can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within one month; follow the packaging instructions for other loaves.

Families comparing nutritional values

If fibre and salt are your main concerns, compare the nutritional information per 100 g on the current packaging. A bread name or general value for wholemeal bread is no substitute for comparing the individual products.

What should you look for when choosing?

For generously topped snacks, start by choosing the slice thickness you want. If you’re buying for several meals, the quantity and storage instructions matter too.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Slice thickness and texture Check that the slices are thick-cut; don’t assume this from words such as ‘whole’, ‘coarse’ or ‘hearty’. For generous toppings, I want to know how the bread is sliced, not just which bread type is on the label. For around 36% of consumers, slice thickness is the top priority.
Quantity and storage Check the weight of the loaf and the storage instructions for the exact product you’re buying. If I’m buying several loaves, I want to plan what we’ll eat straight away and what we’ll store. For around 29% of consumers, managing supplies comes before the other considerations.
Fibre and salt Compare the nutritional information per 100 g on the current packaging. Fibre and salt matter more to my choice than the texture of the bread. Around 21% of consumers prioritise these nutritional values.
Ingredients and allergens Check the current ingredients and allergen information every time you buy. If someone at home needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the bread and which allergens are listed. Checking the label is the top priority for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘whole’ or ‘coarse’ means ‘thick-cut’

    A whole loaf may already be sliced, while ‘coarse’ describes the type of bread. Neither term tells you how thick each individual slice is.

    Check the bread or its packaging in store, and ask about the slice thickness if necessary before choosing it for generously topped snacks.

  • Buying more loaves without planning when to store them

    A quantity that suits your family is only practical if you know when you’ll use or freeze the bread.

    Check the instructions for each loaf. For Grof volkoren heel, PLUS recommends freezing it on the day of purchase and using it within one month; don’t automatically apply this timeframe to other loaves.

  • Assuming a nutritional claim applies to all wholemeal bread

    A claim on one package doesn’t automatically describe other wholemeal breads, and it says nothing about slice thickness.

    Compare fibre and salt per 100 g on the current labels, and if a claim makes a comparison, check which product it’s being compared with.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has a dedicated online overview of wholemeal bread.

  • A good starting point for browsing different wholemeal breads.
  • Check the slice thickness of the bread you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists products including Rond Grof Volkoren and Stevig Volkoren Zonnepit.

  • The product names help you search for the type of bread you want.
  • ‘Coarse’ and ‘hearty’ don’t tell you how thick the slices are.

PLUS

PLUS Grof volkoren heel is an 800-gram loaf with product-specific freezing instructions.

  • PLUS says to freeze it on the day of purchase and use it within one month.
  • Check the slice thickness and the current label; ‘whole’ doesn’t confirm that the slices are thick.

ALDI

ALDI lists Fijn Volkoren as sliced bread, as well as a separate Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood.

  • These options offer different things to consider in terms of texture and nutritional information.
  • Check the slice thickness and nutritional information on the packaging for each option.

Lidl

Lidl describes its in-store bread range as varying by branch.

  • For a large order of bread rolls, Lidl says you can ask your local branch about the options.
  • Check the range and slice thickness of wholemeal bread at the store you plan to visit.

Dirk

Dirk lists products including Vloerbrood volkoren heel and a separate wholemeal bread with ‘Extra vezels’ in the product name.

  • You can compare the individual product labels for ingredients and nutritional information.
  • The term ‘whole’ doesn’t confirm how thick the slices are.

Joybuy products for this choice

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘wholemeal bread, unsliced’ mean the slices are thick?

No. For the supermarket breads mentioned, ‘whole’ refers to a complete loaf, not to a particular slice thickness. Check the packaging or ask in store how the bread is sliced.

Can I freeze wholemeal bread for several family meals?

That depends on the instructions for the loaf you choose. PLUS says that Grof volkoren heel can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month; follow the packaging instructions for other loaves.

What should I check if someone at home needs to avoid certain allergens?

Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging of the bread you choose. For Grof volkoren heel, PLUS lists wheat, barley and soya, and also states that other allergens may be present. If you buy it again, don’t rely solely on a label you read previously.

How do I compare fibre and salt in wholemeal breads?

Compare the values per 100 g on the current labels of the breads you’re considering. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also provides nutritional values for a 50-gram slice of wholemeal bread cut at home, but you can’t directly compare that serving size with values per 100 g.

Does all Dutch bread contain iodised baker’s salt?

That isn’t guaranteed by the rules on baker’s salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may only be present in bread through the addition of baker’s salt, with a maximum of 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. Check the ingredients list to find out which salt has been used in a particular loaf.