For an Easter breakfast, start by choosing a loaf labelled as wholemeal bread, then check whether the slices and quantity suit your toppings and the number of people you’re serving. Pre-sliced bread saves time, but a label such as ‘fine’ doesn’t confirm that the slices are medium-thick. A half loaf or portions stored in the freezer can help you buy the right amount. Always check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens for the specific loaf.
When you’re serving a selection of toppings, evenly sliced bread makes it easier to prepare sandwiches. Check the packaging or ask in store how the bread has actually been sliced; ‘fine’ alone doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are.
The wholemeal label helps you narrow down your options. You can then check the ingredients, nutritional information per 100 g and allergen details for each product, especially if someone at the table needs to avoid an allergen.
If you’re serving other types of bread too, a half loaf may better suit your plans. For any slices left over, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing the bread in portions as soon as you buy it.
First decide which bread you want to serve, then look at the slices and choose the quantity. Compare the nutritional values of specific products on the same basis, for example per 100 g.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal bread and labelling | Look for the wholemeal bread label and compare fibre and salt per 100 g. If allergies are a concern, read the ingredients list too. | If I want to serve wholemeal bread, I want to know which product I’m buying and what it contains. Product information is a priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Slices for toppings | Check the visible slices or product information: ‘fine’ and ‘sliced’ don’t confirm a medium slice thickness. | When I’m preparing several sandwiches, I don’t want to have to slice every piece myself. Ease of slicing is the main consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Quantity and storage | Choose a whole or half loaf to suit the number of people you’re serving, and check the storage instructions for your chosen product. | When I’m hosting a small group, I don’t want lots of bread left over after Easter breakfast. That’s why around 21% of consumers prioritise quantity and storage. |
| Choice of shop | Check that your chosen shop has the type and quantity of bread you need for your order or visit. | If I want to do my shopping in one place, it needs to stock bread that suits my plans too. For around 14% of consumers, the choice of shop is the most important factor. |
A half loaf is about quantity; pre-sliced or unsliced is about the work involved at the table. These features can go together. So, if medium-thick slices are important, don’t rely on ‘half’, ‘whole’ or ‘fine’ alone when shopping online.
Shops use different names for wholemeal bread. ‘Sliced’ doesn’t tell you exactly how thick each slice is either, while ‘whole’ may refer to the quantity.
Check the slices and the shape of the specific loaf. If the slice thickness is a deciding factor, you could also see whether an unsliced loaf is available for you to cut yourself.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So, the ingredients in one loaf won’t necessarily be the same as those in another.
Look for iodised salt or baker’s salt on the packaging. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask for the ingredients information.
If you’re serving several types of bread at Easter brunch, you may have a whole loaf left over. Work out how many people will be eating and what else you’ll be serving beforehand.
Consider buying half a loaf or freezing any unused slices in portions as soon as you buy them, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
Allergen information applies to the specific recipe and is important to check before choosing bread for someone else.
For packaged bread, read the ingredients list and allergen information before buying. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask in advance what allergen information is available.
The ranges listed here give you some options for loaf type and quantity. Check the slices, ingredients and allergens for each specific loaf.
Albert Heijn stocks products including AH Extra lang lekker Zaans volkoren heel.
Jumbo’s online wholemeal range includes Fijn Volkoren and a half-loaf option.
Lidl lists an 800 g Fijn volkoren loaf.
ALDI’s bread range includes pre-sliced Fijn volkoren.
PLUS stocks Rond fijn volkoren as both a whole and half loaf.
Dirk stocks several Bakker van der Akker wholemeal loaves, including half and whole options.
This rye bread is an option to consider alongside the wholemeal bread you want for Easter brunch. Check that the type of bread, wholemeal labelling and slices suit what you want to serve; rye bread isn’t automatically the same as medium-sliced wholemeal bread.
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For anyone who wants to serve rye bread at Easter brunch; this pack contains 9 pieces. Before choosing it as an alternative to medium-sliced wholemeal bread, check the product and packaging for wholemeal labelling, slice thickness, ingredients and allergens.
First, check whether the product is labelled as wholemeal bread. If you want to compare different types of bread, read the ingredients and nutritional information for that specific product too; the bread’s brown colour or shape isn’t a substitute for this information.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt, and ask which ingredients have been used if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
For packaged bread, check the ingredients list and allergen information before buying. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly listed on the label. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask what allergen information is available before you buy.
If you’re not going to use the bread straight away, it’s best to freeze it in portions as soon as you buy it, then take out what you need. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends this approach; also follow the storage instructions on the packaging of your chosen bread.
