Who should consider which option?

If you want to serve neat portions quickly

Pre-sliced bread saves you the effort of cutting when serving toast, small open sandwiches or a bread basket. Check the actual slice thickness: the search term ‘medium sliced’ doesn’t guarantee a set size.

If you want to compare wholemeal bread and nutritional information

A dark colour or coarse appearance doesn’t tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal. Check how the product is labelled and compare fibre, salt and ingredients per 100 g, as the Voedingscentrum recommends when comparing labels.

If you only expect to serve a little bread

If bread is just an accompaniment to dinner, a half loaf may better suit the amount you expect to need. Check the storage and freezing advice for your chosen product, too.

What should you look for when buying?

First, decide how you want to serve the bread at Christmas dinner. Then compare the slices, nutritional information and quantity shown on the packaging or product page.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Slice thickness and ease of serving Check whether the bread is pre-sliced and whether the slices suit toast, small portions or your chosen toppings. If I want to serve evenly sized slices quickly, I don’t want to have to cut a whole loaf myself. Around 33% of consumers are said to consider ease of serving their main concern when buying.
Wholemeal content and nutritional value Check that it’s labelled wholemeal and compare fibre and salt per 100 g. I want to know what I’m putting on the table, rather than judging by a dark crust or a rustic name. For around 25% of consumers, wholemeal content and nutritional value are said to come first.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information on the label. If it matters to your choice, check whether iodised baker’s salt is listed, too. If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to choose their bread based on the front of the packaging alone. For around 25% of consumers, checking the label is said to be their first concern.
Quantity and storage Choose between a half and a whole loaf based on the menu and number of diners, and check the storage and freezing advice. If bread is a small side dish, I don’t want to buy more than we can use or store. For around 17% of consumers, the amount they need is said to be the main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal

    A loaf’s colour and appearance aren’t a substitute for checking how it’s labelled. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread contains plenty of fibre, vitamins and minerals, but the nutritional profile varies from product to product.

    Check that the bread is labelled wholemeal, then compare the ingredients, fibre and salt per 100 g.

  • Assuming ‘medium sliced’ means a set slice thickness

    Terms such as ‘fine wholemeal’ and ‘sliced’ don’t tell you exactly how thick each slice is. A slice that works well with a light topping may not be suitable for a more substantial one.

    Use these descriptions to find options, but check the slices themselves before choosing bread for dinner.

  • Assuming ordinary wholemeal bread is suitable for every guest

    Wholemeal bread made with wheat, rye or barley contains gluten. According to the Voedingscentrum, gluten are harmful to people with coeliac disease, a wheat allergy or gluten sensitivity.

    Ask guests in advance about any relevant dietary restrictions and read the allergen information for the specific loaf. If you choose gluten-free bread, take care to avoid cross-contamination when serving it, too.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a plan for leftovers

    If bread is served only alongside the main course, a whole loaf may be more than your guests can eat. The Voedingscentrum lists bread as a product that is often wasted.

    Match the amount to your menu, consider buying a half loaf and follow the storage advice on the packaging for any leftovers.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

A useful starting point if you want to check the details of a specific sliced wholemeal loaf.

  • The AH Liefde & Passie Petit wholemeal sliced bread product page lists details including ingredients, nutritional value, allergens and storage advice.
  • This rustic loaf with cracked grains isn’t necessarily a medium-fine sliced bread, so check the current packaging as well.

Jumbo

A range to explore if you want to compare fine wholemeal bread with firmer wholemeal varieties.

  • Jumbo lists options including a fine wholemeal tin loaf and varieties with a different texture.
  • The range information doesn’t give a set slice thickness or a full nutritional comparison for every variety.

Lidl

A useful reference if you’re looking for a finer grain texture.

  • For a specific kids’ wholemeal bread, Lidl says it uses extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
  • That description doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are in other Lidl wholemeal breads.

ALDI

A useful reference for sliced fine wholemeal bread and a separate wholemeal variety with extra fibre.

  • ALDI lists a sliced Fine Wholemeal loaf.
  • The separate wholemeal loaf with extra fibre is sold whole, so it isn’t an equivalent pre-sliced option.

PLUS

A range to browse if you’re looking for options such as a half loaf of fine wholemeal bread.

  • PLUS lists Rond fijn volkoren half in its online wholemeal bread category.
  • Check the individual product page for the slices, nutritional information and allergens for your chosen variety.

Dirk

A range to search if you’re looking for half loaves of wholemeal bread.

  • Dirk’s search results include Boeren volkoren half.
  • A search result doesn’t confirm slice thickness or availability at a particular shop, so check the loaf you choose.

Wholemeal bread at Joybuy

You’ll find matching products here soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is ‘medium sliced’ a standard term for wholemeal bread?

No. Don’t assume that this search term means a particular slice thickness. Check whether the bread is sliced, then assess the packaging or the loaf in store to see whether the slices suit the toppings and portions you want to serve.

Can I serve ordinary wholemeal bread to a guest who needs to eat gluten-free?

Ordinary wholemeal bread made with wheat, rye or barley isn’t suitable, as these grains contain gluten. Choose a product clearly labelled gluten-free and avoid cross-contamination when preparing and serving it.

Does all wholemeal bread contain iodised baker’s salt?

No, don’t assume that it does. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how iodine compounds may be added to bread through baker’s salt; this doesn’t confirm that every loaf is made this way. Check the ingredients list or ask the baker.

How should I compare two wholemeal breads?

Compare the nutritional value per 100 g and read the ingredients and allergen information. The Voedingscentrum recommends using the 100 g measure to compare products with different portion sizes or pack sizes.

Can I freeze leftover wholemeal bread?

Follow the freezing advice for the bread you buy. For example, Albert Heijn says AH Liefde & Passie Petit wholemeal sliced bread can be frozen at home on the day of purchase. Don’t assume the same applies to other breads.