A small group
For two to four people, half a traditional round loaf can be a good option if you want to serve a different type of bread without buying a whole loaf. Albert Heijn lists its half wholemeal farmhouse loaf as weighing 400 g.
Which quantity is right for you?
Label checker
If you’re mainly interested in the ingredients, compare the official product description, fibre and salt per 100 g. Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact loaf you choose, too.
A larger group
If you want to serve several sandwiches, a whole loaf may be a better fit for the quantity you need. If there are slices left over, freezing them in portions is a practical option.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a snack night, start by choosing the type and quantity of bread. Then compare the label and think about what you’ll do with any leftovers.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Type and quantity | Compare half and whole loaves, the net weight and whether the bread is sliced. | For a small group, I want a loaf that suits the way I’m serving it, without lots left over. Type and quantity are the top priorities for around 40% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal content and nutritional value | Read the official product description and compare fibre and salt per 100 g on the label. | If the ingredients determine my choice, I want to be able to compare products using the same label information. This comparison is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Storing leftovers | Check the storage advice and decide whether you can freeze any unused portions. | If we won’t finish all the bread that evening, I want to be able to store the rest easily. This is the most important consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘premium’ or ‘artisan’ means more nutritious
An appealing name doesn’t tell you how much fibre or salt a loaf contains. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also points out that terms such as ‘fresh’ and ‘artisan’ aren’t defined product specifications.
Compare the official product description, ingredients, nutritional information per 100 g, allergens and net weight of the exact loaf.
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Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt in bread isn’t compulsory. So you can’t tell whether it’s been used just from terms such as ‘wholemeal’ or ‘artisan’.
Check the ingredients list for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’, or ask if the bread doesn’t have an ingredients label.
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Buying a whole loaf without a plan for leftovers
If you’re only serving some of it, you’ll need to store the leftover slices. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage guide says opened wholemeal bread keeps for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard.
Choose a smaller pack if that’s enough, or freeze portions of a whole loaf after buying it.
Slices left uneaten and no longer suitable for use contribute to food waste.
Brands to compare
Compare a specific type of bread, not just the brand name: type, weight and label information vary from product to product.
Albert Heijn
As well as standard wholemeal bread, Albert Heijn offers a half ‘Onze trots’ wholemeal farmhouse loaf.
- According to Albert Heijn, the half farmhouse loaf weighs 400 g. The product information lists 8 g of fibre per 100 g and iodised salt.
- Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change. Check the packaging of the loaf you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers fine wholemeal bread as a whole, sliced loaf.
- For this fine wholemeal bread, Jumbo lists 7.6 g of fibre per 100 g and baker’s salt.
- The listed allergens include wheat and barley; check the label on the pack you choose.
Lidl
Lidl offers an 800 g loaf of fine wholemeal bread in store.
- The stated weight makes it easy to compare with smaller loaves and other whole loaves.
- Check the label on the loaf in store for ingredients, nutritional information and allergens.
Aldi
Aldi offers fine wholemeal bread and a whole, extra-high-fibre wholemeal loaf, among other options.
- Aldi describes its extra-high-fibre whole loaf as a separate wholemeal variety.
- Compare fibre, salt and ingredients on the packaging of the variety you buy. A claim made about one loaf doesn’t automatically apply to other loaves.
Plus
Plus offers an 800 g wholemeal farmhouse loaf which, according to the product information, can be frozen on the day of purchase.
- For this loaf, Plus lists 6.7 g of fibre and 1.03 g of salt per 100 g.
- Plus notes that product information may change. Check the packaging for details including allergens and storage advice.
Dirk
Dirk offers farmhouse wholemeal bread, wholemeal farmhouse loaves and half wholemeal loaves, among other options.
- The whole and half-size options give you a way to match the quantity to the number of people you’re serving.
- Compare the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens for each product you’re considering, or check the packaging.
Bread and alternatives for snack night
These Joybuy products range from flatbread and round wholemeal wheat bread to a rye product and crispbread. Decide whether you’re looking for soft bread to serve with your meal or a different type of bread as part of your snack spread. Check the packaging to confirm the exact type of the rye product.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
A flatbread option if you want to share bread or serve it with dips on snack night.
Check the current ingredients and allergens on the packaging, including which type of salt has been used.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g
Two round loaves may be a good fit if you need more portions or want to save some for later.
The bread needs to be defrosted and baked. Check the preparation instructions on the packaging before planning your meal.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
This single round loaf is a good choice if you want to serve this type of bread without choosing the two-loaf pack.
Allow time to defrost and bake it, and follow the instructions on the packaging.
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Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g
A rye product to consider if you’d like to serve something other than wholemeal wheat bread.
The product title and description don’t indicate the same type of bread. Before buying, check whether the pack contains rolls or sliced rye bread, and read the allergen information.
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Bolletje Whole Grain Crispbread, 265 g
This crispbread makes a crunchy snack, but it’s not a substitute for soft farmhouse bread if you want to make sandwiches.
Read the ingredients and allergens on the packaging if they’re important to your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is all wholemeal bread made with iodised baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt isn’t compulsory when baking bread. Check the ingredients list for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’, or ask which salt has been used if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
How should I store wholemeal bread left over after snack night?
Keep out of the freezer only what you’ll use soon, and freeze the rest in portions if needed. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage guide says opened wholemeal bread keeps for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer.
Do ‘premium’ or ‘artisan’ tell me anything about nutritional value?
No, these words don’t tell you how much fibre or salt the bread contains. For snack night, compare the official product description, nutritional information per 100 g, ingredients, allergens and the weight of the loaves you’re considering.
What should I look out for if allergens are a concern?
Check the allergen information for the exact loaf, even if you’ve previously bought a different variety from the same brand. The product information for the Albert Heijn, Plus and Jumbo loaves mentioned here lists wheat and/or barley, among other things; check the packaging for any precautionary warnings, too.