Who is this choice relevant to?

Fibre-conscious eaters

You want to identify wholemeal bread by its labelling, not its dark colour, and compare the fibre content of different loaves.

Home cooks serving bread

You’re looking for even slices for bite-sized pieces, larger slices for topped toast or a loaf that guests can share at the table.

Careful label readers

You need to check the bread’s ingredients and allergens before dinner. The amount of salt, or whether baker’s salt is listed, may also affect your choice.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check that the bread is labelled wholemeal. Then choose a format for serving and compare the label information that matters to you and your guests.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. I don’t want to judge by colour and want to know how much fibre the bread contains. For around 40% of consumers, clearly labelled wholemeal bread with a comparable fibre value comes first.
Shape and texture Check whether the bread is pre-sliced and whether its shape suits bite-sized pieces, toast or sharing at the table. For neat bites, I want even slices; for a sharing board, a loaf I can slice or break up myself works well. The format for serving is the top priority for around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and labelling Read the latest allergen information and, if needed, compare salt per 100 g or check whether baker’s salt is listed. If I need to consider what my guests can eat, I want to know the ingredients before serving. For around 30% of consumers, allergens, salt or baker’s salt are the most important things to check when buying.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming dark, multigrain or sourdough means wholemeal

    According to the Netherlands Bakery Centre, the term wholemeal refers to the flour used, not the bread’s colour. Multigrain and sourdough bread are therefore not automatically wholemeal.

    Check that the bread is labelled wholemeal before comparing its shape and nutritional value.

  • Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory. The type of bread alone won’t tell you whether iodised salt has been used.

    Read the ingredients or, if it matters to your choice, ask which salt has been used in unsliced bread.

  • Skipping the allergen check

    Wholemeal doesn’t mean a bread is suitable for someone with a food allergy or coeliac disease. Ingredients and warnings about possible traces vary from product to product.

    Check the latest product information. If you’re buying unsliced bread, ask which allergens it contains before you buy.

  • Applying a claim about one loaf to all wholemeal bread

    A claim about extra fibre or less salt applies to a specific product and the basis used for comparison.

    Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and check what any comparison is based on.

Brands to consider for wholemeal bread

Albert Heijn

A useful reference for coarse wholemeal bread if you’re looking for larger slices to top or serve on a sharing board.

  • AH Boeren coarse wholemeal bread lists wholemeal wheat flour, iodised salt and 6,5 g fibre per 100 g.
  • Check the ingredients and nutritional information on the loaf you buy, as these vary by product.

Jumbo

A useful reference for finely sliced wholemeal bread if you want even slices to add toppings to.

  • Jumbo Fine Wholemeal Bread lists 7,6 g fibre per 100 g.
  • The product described contains wheat and barley; check the latest information about other allergens when buying.

Lidl

A useful reference if you’re looking for freshly baked bread or wholemeal rolls to share at the table.

  • Lidl lists a wholemeal roll with seeds and kernels as an in-store product.
  • Lidl says its fresh bread range may vary by store, so check the product information in store too.

Aldi

A useful reference for daily-fresh wholemeal options if you want to compare loaves by their labels.

  • ALDI lists several daily-fresh wholemeal products and says it makes its wholemeal bread with wholemeal flour.
  • Claims about extra fibre or less salt apply to a specific loaf; compare the nutritional information for the product you choose.

PLUS

A useful reference for both a wholemeal loaf and a wholemeal sourdough baguette to share.

  • The PLUS wholemeal baguette described lists 6,5 g fibre per 100 g.
  • The baguette contains several gluten-containing cereals; check the latest allergen information before serving.

Dirk

A useful reference if you’re looking for a wholemeal hearth-baked loaf or farmhouse loaf for a dinner sharing board.

  • Dirk lists both a wholemeal hearth-baked loaf and a Bakker van der Akker whole farmhouse loaf.
  • Read the packaging or ask in store about the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values of the loaf you buy.

Wholemeal bread to share from Joybuy

These two bread formats work well for serving at the table: a flatbread to share and a round loaf for a sharing board. Check each product’s preparation instructions and any information relevant to your guests.

Souq Lebanese wholemeal flatbread 6 pcs

Souq Lebanese wholemeal flatbread 6 pcs

A flatbread to share at the table, for example with dips.

If any guests need to avoid allergens, bear in mind that it contains wheat and gluten, and check the latest packaging for possible traces of soya or milk. Check the ingredients list if the use of iodised salt matters to your choice.

View at Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread 550 g

The round loaf is ideal for a sharing board when you want to serve slices you’ve cut yourself.

Allow time to defrost, bake and cool the bread before serving, and follow the preparation instructions on the packaging. The bread contains wheat and gluten; check the latest ingredients too if the type of salt used matters to your choice.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is dark or multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Bakery Centre, the term wholemeal refers to the flour used, not the bread’s colour. Multigrain and sourdough bread can also be white, brown or wholemeal, so check the label on the loaf.

Does wholemeal bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when baking is not compulsory. Check the ingredients list or ask which salt has been used if you’re buying unsliced bread.

How do I check allergens in bread from the bakery counter?

Ask for the allergen information for that specific bread before buying. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, sellers must provide information about allergens in unpackaged foods and specify which gluten-containing cereals and nuts are present.

Can I buy wholemeal bread in advance for a dinner party?

Yes, as long as you can follow the storage instructions for the bread you choose. PLUS says its whole farmhouse loaf can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. Don’t assume the same instructions apply to other loaves.

How do I compare the fibre in different wholemeal breads?

Compare the fibre per 100 g, then consider the size of the portion you’re serving. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 3,4 g fibre for a 50 g slice of wholemeal bread cut at home; the value for a specific product may differ.