Who is this choice relevant to?

Households comparing loaf sizes

You regularly buy a wholemeal loaf and want to know whether its size suits both the sandwiches you usually eat and the bread you’ll serve with your meal.

Families who want to freeze bread

You want enough bread for everyday use and an Italian-themed meal, without leaving leftover slices unused. That’s why you also check the storage instructions for the loaf you choose.

Shoppers who want to compare labels

You want to make sure you’re choosing wholemeal bread, and also check its fibre, salt and allergens, as well as whether it contains bakers’ salt or iodised salt.

What should you look for when choosing?

Work out how much bread you’ll use with your meal and over the following days. Then check the storage instructions and the label of the loaf you’re considering.

What to consider What should you check? Who is it important to?
Loaf size Check the loaf’s weight and estimate how many slices you’ll use for the meal and over the following days. When I buy bread for an Italian-themed meal, I want a size that also suits our usual sandwiches. Around 50% of consumers prioritise choosing the right amount of bread.
Storage and leftovers Read the use-by and freezing instructions for the specific loaf before planning to buy a whole one. I want to use any slices left over after the meal, so I check in advance how to store the bread. For around 30% of consumers, using up the bread is their top priority.
Wholemeal bread and the label Check the product description, ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g, including fibre and salt. Read the allergen information too. When I choose bread, I want to know whether it’s wholemeal and whether the ingredients and nutritional information suit my needs. Checking the label is the top priority for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing a whole loaf without planning what to do with the rest

    You may not need every slice for one meal. Whether a whole loaf suits your plans also depends on how you’ll use it after your Italian-themed meal.

    Estimate how many people will be eating and how much bread you’ll use over the following days. Freeze any leftover slices on the day you buy the loaf if its specific instructions allow this.

  • Assuming every wholemeal loaf contains bakers’ salt

    The Voedingscentrum says that bakers aren’t required to use bakers’ salt. So the word ‘wholemeal’ alone won’t tell you which type of salt the bread contains.

    Check the ingredients for bakers’ salt or iodised salt if that matters to your choice. For unpackaged bread, ask which ingredients have been used.

  • Looking only at the fibre content

    Nutritional information and ingredients cover more than fibre. Salt and allergens can also affect your choice between two wholemeal loaves.

    Compare fibre and salt on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and check the allergens for the exact variety.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Extra lang lekker tijger volkoren heel is a whole loaf that Albert Heijn says should be frozen on the day of purchase.

  • The product information lists fibre, salt and iodised salt in the ingredients.
  • Check the packaging again when you buy it: Albert Heijn says product information can change.

Jumbo

Jumbo Boeren Tijger Volkoren is a wholemeal loaf with nutritional information available per 100 g.

  • Jumbo lists 7.3 g of fibre and 1.00 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The ingredients include wheat and barley; check the label if you need to avoid gluten-containing grains.

Lidl

Lidl Tijgervolkoren heel vloerbrood is a whole loaf to consider alongside other wholemeal breads.

  • Check the loaf’s weight, ingredients and nutritional information before comparing it with another variety.

ALDI

ALDI Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood is a whole loaf for shoppers who want to look at the nutritional information for a fibre-focused variety.

  • Compare the values per 100 g on the label with those of the other loaf you’re considering. The product name alone doesn’t give you a complete nutritional comparison.

PLUS

PLUS Grof volkoren heel is an 800 g loaf with ingredients and nutritional information listed online.

  • PLUS lists 6.8 g of fibre and 1.01 g of salt per 100 g, and includes bakers’ salt in the ingredients.
  • Check the label on the exact variety when you buy it, as product information can change.

Dirk

At Dirk, Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren heel is an option if you’re looking for a wholemeal farmhouse loaf.

  • Check the packaging for the weight, ingredients and nutritional information if you want to compare this loaf with another product.

Wholemeal bread on Joybuy

This wholemeal loaf is an option to serve with your meal and then use for everyday sandwiches. Before choosing, also check the preparation and storage instructions on the packaging.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g

For anyone looking to serve a wholemeal loaf with a meal and plan how to use the remaining slices. Weight: 550 g. Check the preparation instructions, and compare nutritional values only when it’s clear whether they’re given per 100 g or per serving.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I identify wholemeal bread for this meal?

Check the product description and ingredients list for the loaf you want to buy, rather than judging by its colour alone. When comparing products, also check fibre and salt per 100 g and read the allergen information.

Can I freeze leftover wholemeal bread?

Yes, if the storage instructions for the loaf you’ve chosen say it can be frozen. For the wholemeal loaves mentioned here, Albert Heijn and PLUS say to freeze them on the day of purchase and use them within one month. Follow the instructions on your own loaf’s packaging.

Does all Dutch wholemeal bread contain bakers’ salt?

No. The Voedingscentrum says that bakers aren’t required to use bakers’ salt. Check the ingredients for bakers’ salt or iodised salt, or ask about unpackaged bread if this matters to your choice.