For a journey, choose bread labelled as wholemeal and compare the nutritional information and allergens for that exact variety. Fine wholemeal may suit you if you prefer a softer texture. If you’re buying well in advance, check the storage advice and whether you can freeze the bread in portions straight away.
You’re looking for bread to take on a journey and want to compare the fibre content per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 3.4 g of fibre for a 50 g slice of wholemeal bread cut at home; the figure for your bread is shown on the packaging.
You’re buying bread before setting off and want to take only what you’ll eat during the journey. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing bread in portions straight after purchase if you won’t eat it soon.
You’re looking for a texture your fellow travellers will enjoy, while also wanting to check the ingredients and allergens in your chosen variety. Product information from Jumbo and PLUS shows that these can vary between wholemeal breads.
Start by checking that it’s labelled wholemeal, then compare the nutritional information, storage advice and texture to find one that suits your travel group. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a product can only be called wholemeal if all the grain ingredient is wholemeal flour.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check that it’s labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre content per 100 g of the breads you’re considering. | If you’re taking bread mainly for its fibre, check the packaging to see what it contains rather than judging by its colour. For around 33% of consumers, fibre content is the top priority. |
| Portions and storage | Read the storage advice and see whether you can freeze portions before setting off. | If not everyone will eat the same amount of bread during the journey, you won’t want to take more than you need. Around 27% of consumers give planning portions and storage top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen declaration for that exact variety. | If someone travelling with you needs to avoid certain ingredients, the declaration on the packaging matters more than the bread’s name. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Flavour and texture | Check whether the bread is fine, soft or firmer, and look for any seeds in the ingredients list. | If your travel group is likely to leave a firm slice uneaten but will enjoy fine-textured bread, texture can help determine your choice. Around 20% of consumers put this preference first. |
The colour of the bread and a mention of several grains don’t mean the same thing as a wholemeal label. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, all the grain ingredient in a wholemeal product must be wholemeal flour.
Check the label and ingredients of the bread you’re actually buying.
For opened wholemeal bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing it in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 4 days. A whole loaf may therefore be more than you’ll eat during a journey.
If you’re buying in advance, freeze portions straight away and follow the storage instructions on the packaging too.
Ingredients and warnings about possible traces of allergens vary between varieties. For example, the product pages for the breads discussed here from Jumbo and PLUS show different allergen information.
Before setting off, read the current ingredients list and allergen declaration on the packaging, even if you’ve bought a similar bread before.
AH Rond volkoren heel is a specific example to compare with your needs for the journey in terms of ingredients, nutritional value and storage.
Jumbo Fijn Volkorenbrood is an example for anyone looking to combine a fine bread texture with a comparison of the labels.
Lidl describes both an 800 g Fijn volkoren bread and a kids’ wholemeal bread made, according to Lidl, with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
PLUS Rond fijn volkoren heel is a product-specific example for comparing nutritional values and allergens.
Dirk offers, among other options, a wholemeal floor loaf and a Bakker van der Akker bread with ‘Extra fibre’ in its name.
If you’d rather take flatbread than sliced wholemeal bread on your journey, this Souq variety is worth a look. Compare the label, nutritional information and storage instructions on the packaging with what you need for your trip.
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A flatbread for anyone who’d like to take a different type of bread from sliced bread on their journey.
The pack contains six pieces. The product information lists wheat and gluten, and warns that it may contain traces of soya and milk; check the current packaging if allergens are important to your choice.
Also check the packaging for storage instructions after opening and whether this variety can be frozen.
Check that the bread is explicitly labelled wholemeal and read the ingredients on packaged bread. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a product can only be called wholemeal if all the grain ingredient is wholemeal flour. Brown or multigrain bread isn’t necessarily wholemeal.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 3,4 g of fibre for a 50 g slice of wholemeal bread cut at home. Slice weight and nutritional values can vary between breads, so compare the figure per 100 g on the packaging.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, you can freeze bread in portions straight after purchase if you won’t use it soon. Also check the storage instructions for your chosen variety and take only the portions you need for the journey.
You can’t tell from the name ‘wholemeal’. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH Rond volkoren heel. If the type of salt used matters to your choice, read the ingredients list of the bread you’re buying.
Check the allergen declaration for the specific variety, including any warnings about possible traces. The Jumbo and PLUS breads discussed here list wheat and barley; PLUS also mentions possible traces of nuts and sesame, among other things, for its variety. Always follow the information on the current packaging when buying.
