Choose a loaf labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre, salt and allergen information on the packaging of the specific product. Pick a whole or half loaf to suit how much your household gets through; freezing portions is an option if a whole loaf would otherwise be left uneaten for too long.
If you buy bread regularly and keep an eye on fibre, you can compare the nutritional information for specific wholemeal loaves. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides nutritional values for wholemeal bread, but the packaging tells you what applies to the particular product you have chosen.
If you need to avoid certain ingredients or allergens, the information on the exact loaf is what matters. A PLUS product page shows that the grains and other ingredients used can vary between wholemeal options, so it is worth checking them carefully.
A half loaf or frozen portions may suit households with low or variable bread consumption. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage advice can help you choose a loaf size and storage method that work well together.
Start with the product description and label of the bread you want to buy. Then compare the nutritional information on a like-for-like basis, such as per 100 g, and choose a size that suits how much you get through.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check the product description and compare fibre per 100 g or per equal-sized portion. | If I eat bread often, I want to know how much fibre the loaf I actually buy contains. Roughly 33% of consumers prioritise this daily fibre comparison. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of the specific product. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, I cannot rely on the word wholemeal alone. For around 20% of consumers, checking ingredients and allergens comes first. |
| Salt and nutritional value | Compare salt and any other relevant nutritional values on the same basis, preferably per 100 g. | As well as fibre, I want to see how the salt content of two loaves compares. This broader nutritional comparison is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Size and storage | Choose a whole or half loaf to suit how much you get through, and check the storage advice if you plan to freeze portions. | If we will not get through a whole loaf in time, I want a smaller size or a way to store portions. Reducing waste is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
A dark colour or a description such as artisan does not tell you which ingredients or nutritional values the bread has.
Read the product description, ingredients list and nutritional information for the product you are buying.
ALDI compares a specific extra-high-fibre wholemeal loaf with standard wholemeal bread. That product claim tells you nothing about the values for a different loaf.
Before choosing, compare the current nutritional information for the specific products per 100 g.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, opened wholemeal bread keeps for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard. Choose a size with how much you will eat during that time in mind.
Choose a half loaf or freeze a whole loaf in portions after buying it if you will not use it within a few days.
Bread left for too long can dry out or go mouldy, meaning it has to be thrown away.
On its own, wholemeal does not tell you which grains or other allergens a loaf contains. This information can vary from product to product.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging every time you buy, even if you have bought a product with the same name before.
These supermarket examples show the different types of wholemeal bread you may come across. Always compare the nutritional information and availability for the specific loaf and the shop where you do your food shopping.
Albert Heijn lists a range of options online, including rustic loaves and other wholemeal varieties.
Jumbo lists a variety of wholemeal breads online, including fine, coarse, tiger and toast loaves.
Lidl has a product page for fine wholemeal bread, 800 g.
Aldi lists both standard wholemeal bread and varieties labelled as extra high in fibre.
PLUS lists products online including farmhouse wholemeal bread, with ingredients, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g.
Dirk lists products including a wholemeal batard by Bakker van der Akker.
These options include Lebanese wholemeal flatbread, a rye bread variety and a round wholemeal wheat loaf. Consider the shape of the bread: it can help determine whether a product suits the meals for which you would normally buy a whole or sliced loaf.
No image available
An option if you want to use six individual flatbreads rather than a standard whole loaf. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging if these are important to your choice.
No image available
A rye bread option if you are considering breads other than wholemeal wheat. Before buying, check the product’s form: the title says bun, while the description refers to sliced rye bread.
No image available
A round wholemeal wheat loaf if you are looking for this size and can defrost and finish baking it before use. Check the baking instructions on the packaging before you start.
Compare the fibre values on the packaging for the same quantity, preferably per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 3.4 g of fibre for a 50 g slice of wholemeal bread cut at home; when choosing between two products, use their own nutritional information.
No. Check the allergen and ingredients information for the specific variety. For example, PLUS lists wheat, barley and soya in its farmhouse wholemeal bread; do not assume the same applies to another wholemeal loaf.
A half loaf can be a good choice if you will not get through a whole loaf within a few days. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, opened wholemeal bread keeps for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard; freezing a whole loaf in portions as soon as you buy it is another option. The Centre recommends keeping bread in the freezer for 1 to 3 months, although its quality may decline over time.
Check the ingredients information for the bread and ask the seller which salt has been used if this matters to your choice. Do not assume that every wholemeal loaf contains baker’s salt with iodine without checking the information for that specific product.
