Who is this choice of bread for?

Hosts who want wholemeal as their main bread

You want to serve a recognisable wholemeal loaf with soup, dips or sandwich fillings, and choose it deliberately based on the product name and ingredients.

Hosts with picky bread eaters

You know that not every guest enjoys the same flavour or texture, so you want to offer a milder option alongside the wholemeal bread.

Hosts who check labels in advance

You want to be able to check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for each loaf before serving it to your guests.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether wholemeal bread will be your main loaf and whether you’d like to serve a milder option alongside it. Then work out how much you’ll need for your guests and check the labels on both loaves.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
A wholemeal staple Check the official bread name and see which types of flour are listed in the ingredients. I want to be sure the main loaf is wholemeal, rather than relying on its colour alone. Around 31% of consumers prioritise whether a loaf is wholemeal.
Choice for picky guests Choose a separate, clearly labelled milder bread to serve alongside the wholemeal loaf. If not everyone likes a hearty loaf, I’d rather put two types on the table. Around 31% of consumers value having that choice most.
Quantity and presentation Compare whole and half loaves, and match the quantity to the number of guests and the rest of the menu. For a small gathering, I want to offer a choice without ending up with several whole loaves left over. Around 19% of consumers prioritise suitable portions.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current label for each loaf; compare nutritional values on the same basis, for example per 100 g. If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check the details for both loaves in advance. This check is a priority for around 19% of consumers.

Common mistakes when choosing bread for guests

  • Assuming dark or multigrain bread is fully wholemeal

    A dark colour, seeds or a name such as Waldkorn don’t, on their own, tell you whether all the flour used is wholemeal.

    Start with the official bread name, then check the ingredients. According to Brood.net, wholemeal bread uses only wholemeal flour as its flour ingredient.

  • Assuming a half loaf is a half-white, half-wholemeal recipe

    In Dirk’s Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren half loaf, ‘half’ refers to the size of the loaf, not to a mix of different flours.

    If you’re looking for a bread made from a flour blend, check for an explicit product description and ingredients list. To give guests two clear choices, buy two separate types of bread.

  • Checking for allergens only once everyone is at the table

    Ingredients vary from one loaf to another. For example, Jumbo’s reduced-carbohydrate wholemeal option lists barley, egg, gluten, soya and wheat.

    Ask guests in advance which ingredients they need to avoid, and check the current label for every loaf you serve.

  • Buying more whole loaves than you need for dinner

    If you’re serving other courses too, a large bread basket can leave you with leftovers. A half loaf can be a good way to offer two types to a small group.

    Match the quantity to the number of guests, and decide in advance whether you’ll use or freeze any leftover bread.

Brands and ranges to explore

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s online range includes standard wholemeal bread, tiger wholemeal bread and other wholemeal options.

  • The range includes different types of bread, in both whole and half sizes.
  • For a Waldkorn option, check the full product name and ingredients; the name alone doesn’t mean it’s a white and wholemeal mix.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s range includes fine, coarse, tiger and reduced-carbohydrate wholemeal options.

  • Ingredient and allergen information is available for its reduced-carbohydrate wholemeal option.
  • This option lists barley, egg, gluten, soya and wheat, among other ingredients. Check its own label rather than treating it as a substitute for every other wholemeal loaf.

Lidl

Lidl’s bread range includes white, brown, multigrain and wholemeal options, and uses a fibre rating for packaged loaves.

  • The fibre information can help you compare products on the same basis, per 100 g.
  • Also check the official bread name, ingredients and allergens for the product you choose.

ALDI

ALDI’s fresh daily range includes white, brown, wholemeal and multigrain breads.

  • According to ALDI, its wholemeal breads are made with 100% wholemeal flour. The range also includes other types of bread for a second option at the table.
  • Check the product information for each loaf if you need to review ingredients or allergens.

PLUS

PLUS’s online wholemeal range includes fine, coarse, tiger, farmhouse and hearth-baked loaves.

  • You can browse both whole and half loaf sizes.
  • For names such as Waldkorn or dark multigrain, don’t assume the bread is fully wholemeal without checking the loaf name and ingredients.

Dirk

Dirk’s range includes a wholemeal batard and wholemeal breads from Bakker van der Akker.

  • A whole or half loaf lets you choose how much to put in your bread basket.
  • In Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren half, ‘half’ refers to the size; it doesn’t mean the loaf is made with half white and half wholemeal flour.

Bread options on Joybuy

These round loaves are options for your dinner party bread basket. If you want to serve them as fully wholemeal bread, check the current Dutch bread name and ingredients for each product.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, two 550 g loaves

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g × 2

This pack of two round loaves is a good option if you want to serve plenty of bread with dinner. Check the current bread name and ingredients before presenting them as fully wholemeal: the product information lists both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour.

Allow time to defrost and bake according to the product instructions. If you’re serving guests with allergies, check the current label.

View on Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g

This 550 g round loaf is a good option if you’re looking for a single loaf for your dinner party bread basket. Check the current bread name and ingredients before presenting it as fully wholemeal: the product information lists both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour.

Allow time to defrost and bake according to the product instructions. If you’re serving guests with allergies, check the current label.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is dark, multigrain or Waldkorn bread always fully wholemeal?

No, the colour or those names alone don’t tell you that. Brood.net explains that all the flour used in wholemeal bread is wholemeal flour, so check the official bread name and the current ingredients list.

How do I choose bread for guests with allergies?

Ask in advance which ingredients your guests need to avoid, and check the current label for every loaf. Don’t assume that ‘wholemeal’ or ‘reduced carbohydrate’ means a loaf is suitable: for example, Jumbo’s reduced-carbohydrate wholemeal option lists barley, egg, gluten, soya and wheat.

Is reduced-carbohydrate wholemeal bread automatically a better choice for dinner?

No, that description doesn’t tell you whether the bread suits your guests’ tastes or dietary requirements. For a specific option, compare the full nutritional information on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and check the allergens.