Who might find this choice useful?

Anyone making Christmas sandwiches

If you want to make lots of sandwiches, the bread’s actual shape matters more than just the label ‘fine’ or ‘sliced’. Check whether the slices are suitable for the fillings and portions you want to serve.

Families looking to cut down on leftovers

If you’re serving several types of bread, a half loaf may be a better fit than a whole one. You can freeze portions for later; follow the Food Centre’s storage advice and the instructions on the packaging.

Shoppers comparing labels

If you want to check fibre, salt, grains or allergens, compare the nutritional information and ingredients for the exact variety you’re buying. A claim or allergen statement for one loaf doesn’t automatically apply to another.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the sandwich you want to serve. Then check the quantity, nutritional information and, if needed, the ingredients of the bread you’ve chosen.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Shape and slice thickness Check whether the bread is sliced and what the slices look like; don’t rely solely on ‘fine’ or ‘medium sliced’. If I’m making lots of sandwiches for a Christmas lunch, I want to know in advance whether the slices will work. Around 33% of consumers prioritise the shape of the slice.
Fibre and salt Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check which variety any claims refer to. When choosing between different wholemeal breads, I want to compare fibre and salt on the same weight basis. This is the most important factor for around 27% of consumers.
Quantity and storage Choose a whole or half loaf to suit the number of people eating, and check the storage advice if you plan to freeze portions. When there’s more than one type of bread on the table at Christmas, I don’t want a whole loaf left over. Quantity is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Check the current label for grains, allergens and, if it matters to your choice, iodised salt. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I need to be able to check exactly what’s in this loaf. Around 20% of consumers give checking the label top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘fine’, ‘sliced’ and ‘medium sliced’ mean the same thing

    These terms don’t tell you exactly how thick the slices in the loaf you’re buying will be. That can make a difference if you want to make evenly sized sandwiches.

    Check the slices or ask in store about their thickness before buying several loaves for the same purpose.

  • Applying a nutritional claim to other loaves

    ALDI says that its specific whole loaf, ‘Extra fibre-rich wholemeal bread’, has 30% less salt and 30% more fibre than standard wholemeal bread. This says nothing about the nutritional value or slicing of its Fine Wholemeal bread.

    Compare the packaging and nutritional information per 100 g for the variety you’re actually choosing.

  • Buying more fresh bread than you’ll use

    If you’re serving other dishes or types of bread too, a whole loaf may be left over and lose its freshness.

    Choose a half loaf if it suits the number of people eating, or freeze portions according to the storage advice.

  • Assuming one loaf has the same ingredients as another

    Grains, allergens and the use of iodised salt can vary from product to product. The ingredients list for one wholemeal loaf is no substitute for checking another variety.

    Check the current label for the specific loaf when you buy it, especially if certain ingredients are important to your choice.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Worth considering if you’d like to serve sliced wholemeal sourdough alongside your usual sandwich bread.

  • Albert Heijn describes AH Liefde & Passie Petit wholemeal sliced bread as a wheat and rye bread made with sourdough, in a 475 g pack.
  • Check whether the slices in this specific loaf are suitable for the sandwiches you want to make; ‘sliced’ doesn’t specify thickness.

Jumbo

A useful option to compare if you’re looking for fine wholemeal bread or a half loaf for a smaller gathering.

  • Jumbo’s range overview includes fine wholemeal bread and a half-loaf option.
  • Check which variety is available in store and how thick the slices are; a range overview doesn’t tell you which slices you’ll get.

Lidl

An option to look for in store if you’re after fine wholemeal bread.

  • Lidl lists 800 g Fine wholemeal bread as an in-store product.
  • Check the label and slices in store before choosing this loaf for sandwiches.

ALDI

Worth considering if you want to distinguish sliced fine wholemeal bread from a whole loaf with its own nutritional claim.

  • ALDI describes Fine Wholemeal as sliced bread.
  • ALDI’s comparison about less salt and more fibre applies to Extra fibre-rich wholemeal bread, whole loaf, and not automatically to Fine Wholemeal.

PLUS

A brand to explore if you’re considering a crusty loaf or another wholemeal option alongside your everyday bread.

  • PLUS lists options including coarse wholemeal and Korenlanders wholemeal crusty bread, in whole and half sizes.
  • Check the slicing and ingredients for each loaf you’re considering; the names alone won’t answer these questions.

Dirk

Worth considering if you want to compare different bread shapes and pack sizes.

  • Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker varieties such as farmhouse wholemeal, round wholemeal and casino wholemeal, including half loaves.
  • Don’t assume the shape tells you how thick the slices are; check the packaging for the variety you’re considering.

A product on Joybuy

This Bolletje rye variety is worth looking at alongside supermarket breads. Check the product’s shape and slicing before assuming it’s suitable for evenly sized sandwiches.

Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g

Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g

Only consider this product for Christmas sandwiches if its shape and slice thickness suit your plans. Check the current label too if ingredients or allergens matter to you. The product name states that it comes in a 500 g pack.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

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

Don’t assume it indicates a standard slice thickness. Dutch supermarket products are described using terms such as ‘fine’, ‘sliced’, ‘whole’ and ‘half’. Check the actual slices on the packaging or in store before making your sandwiches.

Does all wholemeal bread contain iodised salt?

You can’t assume that’s the case for every loaf. Check the ingredients list for the variety you’ve chosen if iodised salt is important to your purchase; Jumbo and Albert Heijn, for example, list it for specific products.

How should you store wholemeal bread for the Christmas period?

The Food Centre recommends storing wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 4 days, or in the freezer for 1 to 3 months. Divide bread you want to use later into portions, and check the storage instructions on the packaging too.

Can you assume all wholemeal breads contain the same allergens?

No. Check the current ingredients and allergen information for the bread you’re buying. For example, Jumbo lists wheat, barley and gluten for its Fine Wholemeal Half; don’t assume the same information applies to other varieties.