Who is this relevant for?

Anyone making generously topped Christmas snacks

Want to cut thick slices for layered or moist toppings? With a whole loaf, you decide the thickness; also consider whether the slice will be sturdy enough for what you want to put on it.

Festive shoppers who like to plan ahead

If you’re buying several loaves for different snack occasions, it helps to decide in advance what you’ll use straight away and what you’ll freeze in portions.

Shoppers checking ingredients for guests

A dark colour or firm appearance won’t tell you whether bread is wholemeal or which allergens it contains. Check the product description and the latest packaging instead.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to cut thick slices yourself or prefer evenly cut slices in a hurry. Then check the ingredients and think about how you’ll store the bread.

What to consider What to check when buying Who should pay particular attention?
Slice thickness Choose a whole loaf if you want to cut thick slices yourself. If buying pre-sliced bread, check the actual thickness. With generous toppings, I want to be able to choose a slice that suits my snack, rather than relying on the word ‘sturdy’. Around 42% of consumers say control over slice thickness is their top priority.
Wholemeal content and ingredients Look for the wholemeal description and read the latest ingredients and allergen information, especially for bread containing kernels or seeds. When serving bread to guests, I want to know what I’m buying and whether its ingredients are suitable for them. For around 33% of consumers, this is their top priority.
Storage Check the date and storage advice on the packaging, and decide which portions you want to freeze. For several snack occasions, I want to have bread ready without buying more than I can use. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘sturdy’ or ‘coarse’ means thickly sliced

    These words don’t necessarily describe the thickness of a slice. As a result, pre-sliced bread may not be what you expect for generously topped snacks.

    If thickness is essential, cut your own slices from a wholemeal loaf. Otherwise, look at the slices in store or ask about them.

  • Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal

    According to Voedingscentrum, multigrain means a loaf contains at least three types of grain; that alone doesn’t mean it’s wholemeal.

    Look specifically for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description, then read the ingredients and nutritional information.

  • Buying bread early without a storage plan

    Once opened, bread won’t keep indefinitely in the kitchen cupboard. If you’re buying a lot of bread for the festive season, think about when you’ll eat it.

    Ideally, freeze bread in portions as soon as you buy it if you’ll need it later, then take out the amount you need for each snack occasion. Throw away any mouldy bread.

  • Serving seeded bread without checking the allergens

    The Stevig Volkoren Zonnepit described by Jumbo contains wheat and barley and may contain traces of nuts and sesame. So the name of a loaf alone doesn’t give guests the information they need.

    Check the latest packaging for each loaf and choose one that avoids any ingredients your guests need to steer clear of.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Worth considering if you want to cut your own slices from a wholemeal hearth loaf.

  • Albert Heijn describes AH Vloerbrood volkoren heel as a whole wholemeal wheat loaf and lists 6,3 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • You decide the thickness when cutting the slices yourself. Check the packaging when you buy it, as ingredients and allergen information can change.

Jumbo

Worth considering if you want to compare fine, coarse and sturdy wholemeal varieties.

  • Jumbo lists, among other options, fine wholemeal bread, round coarse wholemeal bread and whole Stevig Volkoren Zonnepit.
  • ‘Sturdy’ and ‘coarse’ don’t specify slice thickness. The sunflower seed bread mentioned contains wheat and barley and may contain traces of nuts and sesame.

Lidl

A useful reference if you’re also considering a finer-textured wholemeal loaf.

  • Lidl describes its wholemeal kids’ bread as being made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
  • A fine texture won’t tell you whether you can get thick slices for Christmas snacks.

ALDI

A useful reference if you want to compare wholemeal loaves to cut yourself.

  • ALDI lists, among other options, whole fine, farmhouse and extra high-fibre wholemeal loaves.
  • Check how your chosen variety is sold: a description such as ‘whole’ or ‘fine’ doesn’t set the thickness of the slices you cut yourself.

PLUS

A useful reference if you want to compare different wholemeal loaves, hearth loaves and farmhouse loaves.

  • PLUS lists, among other options, round fine wholemeal whole and extra dark wholemeal hearth whole.
  • If you choose a pre-sliced variety, check the slice thickness yourself; the name of the loaf doesn’t specify it.

Dirk

A useful reference if you’re looking for a wholemeal hearth loaf to cut yourself.

  • Dirk lists a whole wholemeal hearth loaf and other wholemeal loaves sold whole.
  • A whole loaf lets you choose the thickness, but the product name won’t tell you how well a cut slice will hold up under your toppings.

Wholemeal bread at Joybuy

These round wholemeal loaves suit the option of slicing the bread yourself for Christmas snacks after defrosting and baking it. Check separately whether a slice will be sturdy enough for the toppings you want to use.

Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 2 × 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 2 × 550 g

For anyone who wants to use several loaves and cut their own slices. Defrost and bake the bread according to the product instructions, then leave it to cool before slicing. If serving guests, check the latest ingredients and allergen information, particularly for wheat and gluten.

View at Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 550 g

For anyone who wants to bake one round loaf and then choose the slice thickness themselves. The bread needs to be defrosted, baked in the oven and left to cool before slicing. If serving guests, check the latest ingredients and allergen information, particularly for wheat and gluten.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if a wholemeal loaf is thickly sliced?

Don’t rely on words such as ‘sturdy’ or ‘coarse’: they don’t specify a particular slice thickness. If thickness matters for your Christmas snacks, choose a whole loaf to slice yourself or look at the slices in store.

How should I store opened wholemeal bread for several snack occasions?

According to Voedingscentrum, opened wholemeal bread can be kept for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard or 1–3 months in the freezer. Ideally, freeze bread in portions if you’ll be using it later. For an unopened pack, follow the date and storage advice on the label.

Does bread in the Netherlands have to be made with iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Dutch baking industry, using iodised baker’s salt is not a legal requirement. In 2008, the Staatscourant described an agreement intended to encourage its use. If you want to know which salt a particular loaf contains, read the ingredients list; for example, Albert Heijn lists iodised sea salt in AH Vloerbrood volkoren heel.

What should I check if my guests have allergies?

Check the latest allergen information on the packaging of every loaf. For Stevig Volkoren Zonnepit, Jumbo lists wheat and barley, as well as possible traces of nuts and sesame. Ingredient information may change when a product is updated.