Households keeping an eye on fibre
You want to choose bread for breakfast that really is wholemeal. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread contains more fibre, vitamins and minerals than other types of bread.
Who this choice is for
Households that prepare breakfast in advance
You’re looking for bread that’s quick to get ready on working days, and want to be able to freeze any portions you don’t use. The Voedingscentrum’s storage advice can help you buy the right amount.
Shoppers who read labels carefully
You compare fibre and salt, or need to check ingredients and allergens. If iodine from bread matters to you, you’ll also want to know whether baker’s salt has been used.
What should you look for?
Start by checking that it’s labelled wholemeal. Then choose a type of bread that suits your morning routine, and compare the nutritional information for individual products on the same basis.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label, then compare the fibre per 100 g on the label. | If I choose wholemeal bread mainly for its fibre, I don’t want to judge by its dark colour. For around 33% of consumers, clearly labelled wholemeal bread with a fibre value they can check comes first. |
| Morning convenience | Check whether the bread is sliced and whether its format suits the time you have in the morning. | On busy mornings, I want to be able to grab and butter a slice without having to cut the loaf first; around 27% of consumers give this everyday convenience top priority. |
| Salt and ingredients | Compare the salt per 100 g and read the allergen information. Check for baker’s salt if iodine from bread is important to you. | If I need to watch my salt intake or avoid certain ingredients, the front of the pack doesn’t give me enough information. Checking the label matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
| Storage and using it up | Choose a loaf size to suit how much you eat, and check whether you can freeze portions straight away. | If we take a while to get through a loaf, I want to avoid leaving the last few slices uneaten. Around 20% of consumers put reducing waste first. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking dark or seeded bread for wholemeal
The colour doesn’t tell you whether the whole grain has been used. The Voedingscentrum also distinguishes wholemeal bread from brown bread, which is made from a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour.
If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, check that the product is explicitly labelled wholemeal.
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Looking only at the fibre content
Salt levels also vary from one product to another. The product information for Jumbo Fijn Volkoren lists 1,00 g of salt per 100 g; PLUS Rond fijn volkoren lists 1,03 g per 100 g.
Compare the fibre and salt in the breads you’re considering per 100 g, using the current label.
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Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, baker’s salt is not always used in bread. So the wholemeal label doesn’t tell you what type of salt the bread contains.
Read the ingredients or ask the baker if baker’s salt is important to your choice.
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Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan
A large loaf may not suit a household that only eats a few slices a day. The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping wholemeal bread in the kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days.
Choose an amount you’ll use up, or freeze individual portions soon after buying.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn sells wholemeal bread and explains what wholemeal means as a type of bread.
- Albert Heijn describes wholemeal bread as bread made from ground whole grains.
- Don’t rely on this general explanation instead of checking the label on the variety you buy.
Jumbo
Jumbo provides product-specific nutritional information for Fijn Volkoren.
- For this product, Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre and 1,00 g of salt per 100 g.
- These figures don’t automatically apply to other Jumbo breads.
Lidl
Lidl has wholemeal options in its bread range, including freshly baked bread.
- Freshly baked bread is an option if you buy bread shortly before breakfast.
- Lidl says its fresh range may vary by store, so check the label and product information on the bread in store.
ALDI
ALDI sells wholemeal bread, including a variety specifically labelled as extra high in fibre.
- According to ALDI’s own product information, this variety has different fibre and salt levels from standard wholemeal bread.
- Don’t assume this product claim applies to the entire range; compare the figures on the pack you choose.
PLUS
For Rond fijn volkoren, PLUS lists nutritional values and ingredients, among other details.
- PLUS’s product information lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g for this variety.
- PLUS notes that product information may change; check the packaging, especially for allergens.
Dirk
Dirk’s bread range includes wholemeal hearth bread, among other varieties.
- The product label helps you identify a specific wholemeal variety.
- Check the nutritional information on the bread you choose if you want to compare fibre, salt or allergens.
Bread options at Joybuy
These options include flatbread, crispbread, rye bread and round loaves. They vary in texture and preparation, so don’t choose based on the wholemeal label alone. Think about what’s practical on a working day, too.
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Souq Lebanese wholemeal flatbread, 6 pack
An option if you’d like flatbread for breakfast instead of sliced bread.
The pack contains six flatbreads. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging if they’re important to your choice.
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Bolletje wholemeal crispbread, 265 g
Choose this type of bread if you like a crisp texture with your breakfast; crispbread isn’t soft, sliced bread.
The pack weighs 265 g. Check the current packaging for allergen information.
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Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g
A rye bread option if you’re looking for something different from wheat bread at breakfast.
The pack weighs 500 g. Before comparing fibre and salt with other products, check that the values on each label use the same unit.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal loaf, 550 g
This round loaf is better suited to a breakfast you have time to prepare than a morning when you need bread ready straight away.
The loaf weighs 550 g and needs to be thawed, baked and cooled before use. Check the allergen information on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal loaves, 2 × 550 g
If your household takes a while to get through bread, you’ll need a plan for using and storing this pack of two loaves.
This variety contains two loaves weighing 550 g each. Allow time to thaw, bake and cool them before breakfast.
Frequently asked questions
Is brown bread the same as wholemeal bread?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, brown bread is made with a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour, while wholemeal bread is made using the whole grain. So if you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread, check that it’s explicitly labelled as such.
How do I compare the fibre content of two wholemeal breads?
Compare the fibre per 100 g so that differences in portion size don’t skew the comparison. For example, Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g for Fijn Volkoren; check the label of each other bread for its own figure.
Is wholemeal bread always made with baker’s salt?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, baker’s salt does not have to be used when baking bread. Check the ingredients or ask the baker if iodine from bread is important to you.
What should I do if I can’t use up a whole loaf quickly?
Freeze the portions you’ll need later soon after buying the bread. The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping wholemeal bread in the kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days and in the freezer for 1–3 months; freezing it for longer may make it drier.
What should I look out for if I have a grain allergy or need to avoid gluten?
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the specific bread before choosing it. For example, PLUS Rond fijn volkoren product information lists wheat, barley and gluten; the wholemeal label alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for someone with an allergy or who needs to avoid gluten.