If you want to choose the thickness of your slices for a drinks party, opt for an unsliced wholemeal loaf or ask the baker for thick-cut slices. For one of its loaves, for example, Bakkerij Lamers offers a 14.5 mm thick-cut option alongside a standard 11.5 mm slice; this isn’t a fixed size for other loaves. Pre-sliced bread saves you the effort of cutting it, but terms such as ‘coarse’ and ‘hearty’ don’t tell you how thick the slices are.
If you want to decide the size of each slice yourself, an unsliced loaf gives you that flexibility. If you’re buying pre-sliced bread, ask about the thickness: for one of its loaves, Bakkerij Lamers offers a standard 11.5 mm slice as well as a 14.5 mm thick-cut option.
You can cut a whole or pre-sliced wholemeal loaf into bite-sized pieces at home. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and other supermarkets stock a range of formats; check the loaf you’ve chosen separately to make sure it’s sliced the way you need.
Don’t assume ordinary wholemeal bread is suitable for a guest who needs to eat gluten-free. The Voedingscentrum notes that many grains used to make bread contain gluten, so look for an explicit gluten-free label and check the latest allergen information.
First decide whether you want to slice the bread yourself or prefer slices that are ready to serve. Then check the wholemeal description, ingredients and allergen information for the specific loaf.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness | Ask how thick the slices are, or choose an unsliced loaf if you want to decide for yourself. | If I want to pile generous toppings on a slice, I want to choose the thickness myself. Slice thickness is said to be the main priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Convenience | Check whether the bread is whole, unsliced or pre-sliced, and what else you’ll need to do before serving. | If you’re shopping shortly before your drinks party, you’ll want to pick up bread without first arranging for it to be sliced. Around 30% of consumers are said to prioritise this convenience. |
| Wholemeal status | Read the product description and ingredients; don’t judge by colour, sourdough or a coarse texture alone. | If I want to serve wholemeal bread, I need to be able to check what I’m buying, whatever its shape. This check is said to matter most to around 20% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Check the latest ingredients and allergen declaration. If you need a gluten-free option, look for an explicit gluten-free label. | If I’m catering for a guest who needs to eat gluten-free, I can’t assume ordinary wholemeal bread is suitable. Around 10% of consumers are said to put this check first. |
A coarse texture doesn’t tell you how thick a slice is. For one of its wholemeal loaves, Bakkerij Lamers lists a standard thickness of 11.5 mm and offers a 14.5 mm thick-cut option separately.
Ask how thick the slices are, or choose an unsliced loaf if you want to decide for yourself.
Colour, shape and words such as ‘sourdough’ don’t, on their own, confirm that a loaf is wholemeal.
Check the description and ingredients of the loaf you want to buy rather than judging by its appearance.
Ingredients vary from loaf to loaf. PLUS lists wheat, barley and soya among the allergens in its Grof volkoren heel, for example; its wholemeal baguette has a different allergen declaration.
Read the declaration for the product you’ve chosen before buying. If eating gluten-free is essential, also check for an explicit gluten-free label and avoid contact with ordinary bread crumbs when serving.
You may have some of a whole loaf left over after one drinks party. According to the Voedingscentrum, opened wholemeal bread has a limited shelf life in a kitchen cupboard.
Consider buying half a loaf if that’s enough, or freeze portions to use later.
Worth exploring if you want to compare wholemeal bread in whole and sliced formats.
A range to explore if you want to compare fine, coarse and other types of wholemeal bread.
An option if you’d like to explore a rustic wholemeal sourdough loaf or a half wholemeal loaf.
Worth considering if you want to compare a whole loaf with a pre-sliced wholemeal option.
A range where you can compare a wholemeal loaf with a wholemeal baguette.
A place to compare whole and half wholemeal loaves with wholemeal rolls.
This round wholemeal loaf is a good choice if you want to cut your own slices for a drinks party. Remember to allow time for preparation before slicing.
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For drinks-party slices cut to your preferred thickness, you can slice this round loaf yourself.
The product name gives the weight as 550 g. Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling before slicing the bread. Check the ingredients and allergens if you’re serving guests with dietary requirements.
Don’t assume there’s one standard thickness when choosing bread for party nibbles. For one of its loaves, Bakkerij Lamers offers a 14.5 mm thick-cut option alongside a standard 11.5 mm slice. For other loaves, ask how thick the slices actually are.
No. ‘Coarse’ doesn’t, on its own, tell you anything about slice thickness. If you want generous toppings, check how the bread is sliced separately, or choose an unsliced loaf.
No, there’s no such requirement under Dutch law. According to the Commodities Act Decree on the Addition of Micronutrients to Foods, as in force on 6 October 2026, iodine compounds may be added to bread via baker’s salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets a maximum of 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. Check the packaging or ask the baker about the ingredients in a particular loaf.
For opened wholemeal bread, the Voedingscentrum recommends 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1 to 3 months in the freezer. It’s best to freeze bread in portions if you’re planning to use it later.
Don’t assume ordinary wholemeal bread is suitable for someone who needs to eat gluten-free. Check for an explicit gluten-free label and the latest allergen information, and avoid contact with crumbs or utensils used for ordinary bread.
