Bulk buyer
You want to buy several loaves at once and store them in portions. Match the number of loaves to your freezer space and how much you’ll actually eat.
Who benefits from stocking up on bread?
Household looking to reduce bread waste
You don’t eat a whole loaf every day. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions straight after purchase, so you can take out just what you need each time.
Buyer who checks the label
You compare fibre and salt, or need to consider ingredients and allergens. Check the packaging of the exact loaf you’re buying.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by working out how much you can store and eat. Then check whether the bread is ready to eat or needs to be defrosted and baked first.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Size and portions | Check the loaf weight and number of loaves. Work out how many portions you can store and eat. | If I buy several loaves, I want to avoid one being left uneaten. Getting the quantity right is the top priority for around 34% of consumers. |
| Storage and preparation | Check the storage instructions and whether you need to defrost and bake the bread before eating it. | I want to be able to take bread out of the freezer when I need it, but I also need to plan for any preparation. This is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and nutrition | Read the ingredients, allergen and nutrition information; compare fibre and salt on the same basis, such as per 100 g. | Stocking up is only useful to me if the bread I choose suits my ingredient preferences. For around 33% of consumers, the ingredients and composition matter most. |
Common mistakes when stocking up
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Buying more bread than you can store
Stocking up takes freezer space and some portion planning. Bread left uneaten can dry out or go mouldy.
Divide the bread into portions you can use on the day you buy it, and freeze what you won’t eat in time. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions straight after purchase.
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Assuming all wholemeal bread has the same label
Ingredients and allergens vary between varieties. General information about the use of iodised salt in bread also won’t tell you what a particular loaf contains.
Read the current packaging for the variety you’ve chosen. If the presence of iodine matters to your choice, check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer for product-specific information.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
AH Extra lang lekker volkoren heel is a specific whole-loaf variety that Albert Heijn also says can be frozen.
- According to the product information, you can freeze this bread on the day you buy it and use it within one month.
- Check the packaging of the variety you buy; product information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s online range includes wholemeal bread in a variety of shapes and sizes.
- You can compare, for example, fine wholemeal bread with other types of bread.
- A round loaf, tiger loaf and standard whole loaf are not necessarily the same choice when it comes to portioning.
Lidl
Lidl lists products including Tijgervolkoren heel vloerbrood (whole tiger-style wholemeal loaf) as an in-store item.
- The product listing makes clear what type of bread it is.
- Before visiting a store, check whether this variety is available at your local branch.
ALDI
ALDI has a variety called Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood heel (extra high-fibre wholemeal loaf).
- This specific variety gives you a starting point for checking the nutrition information.
- Check the fibre, salt and ingredients on the label of the bread you choose, rather than relying on the product name alone.
PLUS
Product information for PLUS Grof volkoren heel (coarse wholemeal loaf) includes its weight, nutritional values and freezing advice.
- PLUS lists this bread as 800 g, with 6,8 g fibre and 1,01 g salt per 100 g, and recommends freezing it on the day of purchase.
- PLUS says this variety contains cereals with gluten and soya. Check the current packaging if you’re choosing based on ingredients or allergens.
Dirk
Dirk lists products including Vloerbrood volkoren heel and Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren heel.
- The individual product names help you identify the bread variety you’re looking for.
- Check the weight and packaging of the variety you choose when planning your stock.
Wholemeal bread for stocking up
These two wholemeal loaves from Lekhaven Bakkerij are intended to be stored in the freezer before baking. Choose the size that suits your stock and allow time for defrosting and baking.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g
The pack of two whole loaves is a good fit if you have freezer space for a stock of bread.
Defrosting and baking takes a little preparation and an oven. Check the storage instructions, ingredients and nutrition information on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
This 550 g whole loaf is a good choice if you want to add a single loaf to your stock.
This variety also needs to be defrosted and baked before eating. Check the packaging for storage instructions, ingredients and nutrition information.
Frequently asked questions
How should I store wholemeal bread I’ve bought for later?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing it in portions straight after purchase and taking out what you need. Also follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the bread you’ve chosen, especially if it needs baking before you eat it.
Should I choose a whole or pre-sliced loaf?
Choose the type that’s easy for you to divide into portions. Pre-sliced bread makes it easier to take out a few slices at a time; with a whole loaf, you’ll need to decide how to divide and store it yourself.
Does Dutch wholemeal bread always contain iodine?
Don’t assume that a particular loaf does without checking. The RIVM says Dutch iodine policy focuses mainly on iodised salt in bread, but that doesn’t tell you what every variety contains. Check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer about the specific loaf.
What label information can help me compare wholemeal breads?
Check the product description, ingredients, allergen information and nutrition details for the variety you’ve chosen. Compare fibre and salt on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and always check the current packaging if you’re choosing based on ingredients or allergens.