For coffee time, start by choosing bread labelled wholemeal, then check whether the slice suits the way you want to top or toast it. Fine wholemeal is a useful starting point if you’re looking for a finer crumb, but the name doesn’t tell you the exact slice thickness. So check whether each variety is sliced, and read the ingredients, allergen and nutritional information.
You’re looking for a wholemeal loaf with a crumb and slice that suit your chosen topping. Fine wholemeal is a starting point if you prefer a finer texture; check the slice of the variety you’re considering before you decide.
You don’t want to judge by colour or brand name alone. You also want to check the wholemeal labelling, ingredients and fibre per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as bread made from 100% wholemeal flour.
You use bread for one or a few coffee breaks a day. Buying half a loaf or freezing it in portions can help you match the amount to how much you eat.
Start with the wholemeal labelling and the texture you want. Then check the slice, size and label information for the exact loaf you’re planning to buy.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare the stated fibre per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a dark colour alone doesn’t prove that bread is wholemeal. | If I want to eat wholemeal bread every day, I want to know what I’m buying and compare breads on the same nutritional basis. An estimated 31% of consumers put this check first. |
| Crumb and slice thickness | Check whether the variety is sliced and how thick the slices are; fine wholemeal doesn’t indicate a set slice thickness. | For a topped slice or toast with my coffee, I’m mainly looking for a fine crumb and a slice that suits me. An estimated 25% of consumers give this priority. |
| Size and availability | Check whether it’s a whole or half loaf, and whether the variety you’ve chosen is available through your usual shopping route. | If I only use a few slices, I want to be able to buy a suitable loaf size without changing where I shop. An estimated 25% of consumers consider this the most important factor. |
| Label and storage | Read the allergens, ingredients and salt content for the variety you’ve chosen; check the ingredients list for iodised salt. Also check the storage instructions. | If the ingredients or how much bread I can use in time are deciding factors for me, I want to check the label and storage options in advance. An estimated 19% of consumers put this first. |
The colour, visible grains and a name such as Waldkorn don’t prove that a loaf is made from wholemeal flour.
Look for the wholemeal label on the packaging or product page, and check the ingredients if you’re unsure. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as bread made from 100% wholemeal flour.
Fine describes the texture, not whether the bread is sliced or how thick the slices are.
If slice thickness matters for topping or toasting, check the specific variety on the shelf or product page.
Ingredients vary between bread varieties. The wholemeal category doesn’t confirm which allergens or type of salt are in a particular loaf.
Check the latest allergen information and, if it’s relevant to your choice, look for iodised salt in the ingredients list for the product you’ve chosen.
If you only have bread with your coffee now and then, you may have some left over before you finish a whole loaf.
Consider buying half a loaf or freezing the bread in portions after you buy it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days, or in the freezer for 1–3 months.
These brands give you options for comparing bread shapes and labels; make your final choice based on the specific variety.
Albert Heijn offers several wholemeal breads, as well as AH Liefde & Passie Petit volkoren gesneden.
Jumbo offers, among other options, fine and coarse wholemeal bread.
Lidl lists a product called Fine wholemeal, weighing 800 g.
Aldi offers fine wholemeal in whole and half sizes, alongside other wholemeal varieties.
PLUS offers, among other options, Rond fijn volkoren half and Korenlanders Rond Volkoren 1/2.
Dirk offers Bakker van der Akker wholemeal breads, including half-size loaves.
Look for the wholemeal label on the packaging or product page; a dark colour alone isn’t enough. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. Visible grains or a name such as Waldkorn aren’t a substitute for checking.
Treat “medium sliced” as a description of your own preference, not a guarantee of a particular slice. Dutch product names include terms such as fine, coarse, whole, half and sliced, so check the individual packaging, product description or loaf on the shelf.
Don’t assume so without checking the label. For AH Liefde & Passie Petit volkoren gesneden, Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in the ingredients; check the label again for the exact loaf you’re buying.
Read the latest ingredients and allergen information for the wholemeal variety you’ve chosen. Check the types of grain listed and any warnings on the packaging; don’t rely on the words wholemeal bread alone to tell you what it contains.
Buying half a loaf or freezing it in portions can help you get an amount that suits how much you eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days, or in the freezer for 1–3 months.
