Which approach works best for you?

Solo eater with freezer space

If you only use a few slices at a time, you can freeze a whole loaf in portions on the day you buy it. The Voedingscentrum recommends taking out only what you need each time.

Occasional bread eater without a freezer routine

If you don’t eat bread regularly or have limited freezer space, a half loaf is often easier to finish. Check that the wholemeal variety you want is available as a half loaf.

Label-conscious shopper

If you want to be sure which type of bread you’re choosing, look for the wholemeal label and compare the nutritional information per 100 g. If you have allergies, always check the information for the specific product.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, work out how much bread you can use or freeze. Then consider the type of bread, the label and how you shop.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Bread you’ll actually eat Compare like-for-like sizes and think about how many slices you can use. When I’m eating alone, I don’t want to keep throwing away part of my loaf. Using all the bread you buy is the top priority for around 36% of consumers.
Portion size and storage Check whether a half loaf is available, whether you have enough freezer space and whether you can freeze it in portions. I don’t eat bread every day and want to avoid the last few slices going stale. Suitable portion sizes are the main concern for around 29% of consumers.
Type of bread and label Look for the wholemeal label and, if needed, compare fibre, salt and allergens for each product. When choosing, I want to know whether it really is wholemeal bread and what’s in that particular variety. Around 21% of consumers prioritise checking the label.
How you shop Check whether the variety is available in your shop or can be ordered online. A loaf needs to fit in with the shop I already use or with my order. For around 14% of consumers, this is the most important requirement.

Common mistakes

  • Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan

    The Voedingscentrum lists bread among the foods that are often wasted. If you live alone, it matters whether you’ll eat the last few slices too.

    If you won’t finish a whole loaf in time, freeze it in portions on the day you buy it; otherwise, choose a smaller size.

  • Treating a temporary offer as a regular option

    An offer may only be available for a limited time or at certain shops. Lidl directs customers to its stores for up-to-date food information; PLUS warns that online information may differ from what’s available in store.

    Check the offer dates, the bread variety and the information at your local branch before planning your shop around it.

  • Assuming brown or multigrain bread is wholemeal

    According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, while brown bread combines wholemeal flour and refined flour. The colour or a different product name is no substitute for checking.

    For packaged bread, look for the wholemeal label and read the ingredients list for the variety you’ve chosen.

  • Assuming baker’s salt contains iodine

    The type of salt used can vary from one loaf to another. If this matters to you, you can’t tell from the wholemeal label alone.

    Check the ingredients list or ask which salt has been used for unpackaged bread.

Supermarket brands compared

Albert Heijn

Worth considering if you’re looking for a whole loaf of wholemeal bread as part of your usual shop.

  • Albert Heijn lists products including AH Tijger volkoren heel in its online bread range.
  • Check which variety is available when you shop.

Jumbo

Useful if you want to compare a whole and a half loaf of wholemeal bread.

  • The range shown includes Fijn Volkoren heel and Fijn Volkoren half.
  • Check whether both sizes are available at your local shop.

Lidl

An option if you buy bread in a shop.

  • Lidl lists products including a tijgervolkoren heel floor loaf, available in store.
  • Lidl says its shops have the latest information about its food range, so check what’s available at your local branch.

Aldi

Worth considering if you’re looking for a sliced, whole loaf of wholemeal bread in store.

  • ALDI describes Fijn Volkoren heel as sliced bread.
  • Check the product variety in store; information about a different ALDI loaf won’t necessarily apply to this one.

PLUS

Useful if you want to check the nutritional information for a specific loaf before buying.

  • For Volkoren tijger heel, PLUS lists the ingredients and nutritional information, including fibre and salt per 100 g.
  • The storage advice on that product page applies to that variety; follow the packaging when you buy it.

Dirk

An option if you visit a Dirk shop to buy wholemeal bread.

  • Dirk lists Batard volkoren in its bread range.
  • Dirk says it doesn’t offer a delivery service, which is worth bearing in mind if you need home delivery.

Wholemeal bread for smaller meals

This flatbread is a wholemeal option in a pack of six. It isn’t directly comparable with a whole or half sliced loaf, so focus on how many pieces you can use once the pack is open.

Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, pack of 6

Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces

An option if you want to use one flatbread at a time with a meal. The pack contains six pieces; before buying, check the storage instructions for once opened and the allergen information on the packaging.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a whole or half loaf better if I’m shopping for one?

A whole loaf works if you can eat it in time or freeze it in portions on the day you buy it. A half loaf may be more practical if you don’t eat much bread and don’t freeze it. The Voedingscentrum recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it and taking out only what you need each time.

How can I recognise packaged wholemeal bread?

Look for the wholemeal label on the packaging. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; brown bread also contains refined flour. To check the ingredients in a specific variety, read the ingredients list too.

How can I check whether bread contains baker’s salt with iodine?

For packaged bread, check the ingredients list to see what type of salt has been used. If it matters to you, ask which salt is used for unpackaged bread; the type of bread alone won’t tell you.

What should I look out for if I have allergies?

Check the allergen information for the bread you’re actually buying; wholemeal doesn’t mean gluten-free. Even if you’ve bought the product before, check the packaging again so you have the information for the variety you’ve chosen.