The fibre-conscious lunch planner
You want to replace white bread without relying on its colour, seeds or a label such as multigrain. Look for the word wholemeal first, then compare the fibre content per 100 g and per serving.
Who is this choice relevant to?
The host catering for different bread preferences
You want to offer something for guests who prefer a soft slice of bread or an individual roll. Finely milled wholemeal bread and wholemeal rolls give you different ways to serve bread, as long as both products are genuinely labelled wholemeal.
The person checking labels for guests
You need to consider allergens, salt and ingredients when serving a group lunch. Ordinary bread made from wheat, rye or barley is not a substitute for explicitly labelled gluten-free bread when a guest needs to eat gluten-free.
What should you look for?
Start by deciding whether fibre, your guests’ preferences or ease of preparation matters most. Then check the bread itself: its shape and soft texture won’t tell you what’s on the label.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the word wholemeal. Compare fibre per 100 g and, if serving sizes differ, per slice or roll too. | If I want to replace white bread mainly for its fibre, I don’t want to judge by how dark the loaf is. For around 50% of consumers choosing between white and wholemeal bread for this Easter lunch, fibre is the priority. |
| Texture and serving style | Choose between sliced bread, finely milled wholemeal bread and individual rolls; if you’re buying bake-at-home rolls, check the preparation instructions too. | When guests have different preferences, I want to serve both soft slices and easy-to-grab portions. Around 30% of these consumers prioritise guests’ preferences and how the bread is served. |
| Labels and planning | Check allergens, ingredients and salt per 100 g; confirm the opening hours of your chosen store. | If a guest needs to eat gluten-free or I need to buy the bread in advance, I don’t want any surprises at the table or on Easter Sunday. For around 20% of these consumers, checking labels and planning ahead are the main concerns. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking dark or multigrain bread for wholemeal
According to the Voedingscentrum, brown bread is made from a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour, while white bread is made from white flour. Colour, seeds and types of grain alone don’t tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal.
Look for the word wholemeal first, then compare the fibre content shown on the label using the same weight basis.
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Serving ordinary wholemeal bread as a gluten-free option
Wholemeal wheat bread isn’t suitable for someone who needs to eat gluten-free. Crumbs from ordinary bread can also end up on a gluten-free product when you’re serving it.
Choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free for that guest, and keep the bread, toppings and serving utensils separate.
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Focusing only on fibre when salt matters too
The nutritional information for one wholemeal bread doesn’t automatically apply to another. For example, PLUS lists 1,03 g of salt per 100 g for its Boeren volkoren heel; that figure applies to that specific bread.
Compare current labels per 100 g if salt matters to you, and consider the toppings you plan to serve too.
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Assuming a shop will be open on Easter Sunday
According to the Dutch government, Sunday opening varies by municipality. A bread being stocked by a chain doesn’t tell you when your local branch is open.
Check your branch in advance, or buy the bread earlier and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Brands to compare
These examples can help you compare bread and product information more easily. Nutritional values and ingredients apply to the product named, not to an entire range.
Albert Heijn
Offers wholemeal loaves and softer wholemeal options for sandwiches.
- For AH Extra lang lekker Zaans volkoren heel, Albert Heijn lists wholemeal wheat flour and iodised salt among the ingredients.
- Check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens on the current packaging; the retailer notes that these can change.
Jumbo
Fijn Volkorenbrood is worth considering if you prefer a softer slice.
- Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g for this specific bread.
- Don’t assume this figure applies to other finely milled wholemeal breads; check the allergens for your chosen product too.
Lidl
Offers options including a half loaf of wholemeal bread, as well as a variety made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
- A half loaf can be a good choice if you want to serve other types of bread alongside wholemeal.
- Check the packaging of your chosen variety for nutritional information and allergens, and confirm availability at your local store.
Aldi
Offers a range of wholemeal breads and rolls, giving you a choice between a loaf and individual portions.
- ALDI says its wholemeal breads are made with 100% wholemeal flour.
- Claims about extra fibre or less salt for one variety don’t automatically apply to other breads; compare the packaging of the products you’re considering.
PLUS
PLUS lets you check product information and allergens in advance for its Boeren volkoren heel.
- PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g for this bread.
- PLUS lists wheat, barley and soya among the allergens for this product; check the packaging when it arrives.
Dirk
Offers several wholemeal products from Bakker van der Akker, including loaves and a variety with extra fibre.
- The different bread shapes give you options to compare for your lunch table.
- Read the label on the bread you choose; product names alone don’t give you the full picture of ingredients and nutritional information.
Bread options at Joybuy
These options suit a lunch table where you want to share bread or bake it at home. Check the current packaging of each product to make sure it meets your needs if you’re replacing white bread with genuinely wholemeal bread. The round loaves also need time and oven space.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 P
A flatbread to share at the table instead of a sliced loaf.
Check the current packaging for the wholemeal label, nutritional information and allergens. If a guest needs to eat gluten-free, choose a separate product explicitly labelled gluten-free.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g × 2
A pack of two 550 g round loaves for serving sliced bread at the table.
Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling. Check the packaging to see whether the bread is labelled wholemeal according to Dutch labelling standards, and read the allergen information.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
A 550 g round loaf if one loaf is enough for your lunch table.
Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling. Check the current wholemeal label, ingredients and allergens before choosing it as a replacement for white bread.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if bread is genuinely wholemeal for Easter lunch?
Look for the word wholemeal on the packaging. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; a dark colour, seeds or the word multigrain don’t confirm that it is wholemeal.
Can finely milled wholemeal bread replace white bread if guests prefer soft bread?
Yes. Finely milled wholemeal bread can suit guests who prefer a softer slice, as long as the bread you choose is genuinely labelled wholemeal. Compare the current fibre and salt content per 100 g if these matter to your choice.
Is ordinary wholemeal bread suitable for a guest who needs to eat gluten-free?
No. Ordinary bread made from grains containing gluten isn’t gluten-free. Choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free, and avoid contact with ordinary bread and crumbs when serving it.
What should I check if salt or iodised salt matters?
Compare the salt content of the breads you’re considering on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and check the ingredients list for iodised salt. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for AH Extra lang lekker Zaans volkoren heel; this doesn’t mean every bread has the same ingredients or iodine content.
Can I still buy bread on Easter Sunday?
Don’t assume a shop is open without checking your chosen branch. According to the Dutch government, Sunday opening varies by municipality, so check the current opening hours in advance or buy the bread earlier and follow the storage instructions.