Fussy fakeaway eaters
If chunky bits in bread aren’t popular, you could consider a finer-textured loaf. If you specifically want wholemeal bread, check how the product is labelled.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Families keeping an eye on fibre
Whether you’re serving burgers, toasties or bread with a dip, you’ll want to compare the different types of bread. Check the wholemeal label and compare the fibre and salt per 100 g.
Groups with different preferences
If not everyone wants the same bread, you can serve white and fine wholemeal bread side by side rather than choosing just one type for the whole group.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether a familiar texture, wholemeal ingredients or a suitable size matters most. According to the Voedingscentrum, white bread is made from refined flour, brown bread from a mixture of refined and wholemeal flour, and wholemeal bread from 100% wholemeal flour. So neither the colour nor the label ‘multigrain’ is as clear an indicator as the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and taste | Check the type of bread and product description; look for the wholemeal label if you want a finer-textured wholemeal option. | If someone leaves coarse bread uneaten, I want to know whether a finer loaf would go better with the meal. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal ingredients and fibre | Read the product label and compare the fibre and salt per 100 g in the loaves you’re considering. | I want to choose wholemeal bread, even if a white loaf looks more familiar. This wholemeal and fibre choice matters most to around 33% of consumers. |
| Size and leftovers | Check whether a whole loaf, half loaf or individual rolls will suit the number of people; read the storage instructions. | For a small group, I want to serve enough bread without having lots left over. Around 25% of consumers prioritise size and convenience above all else. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming brown or multigrain means wholemeal
The colour and number of grain types don’t tell you whether a loaf is made entirely from wholemeal flour. According to the Voedingscentrum, brown bread is made from a mixture of refined and wholemeal flour.
If wholemeal is the type of bread you want, look for the wholemeal label on the packaging.
-
Assuming fine wholemeal bread always has the same nutritional value
The word ‘fine’ doesn’t tell you how much fibre or salt a loaf contains. The wholemeal label alone doesn’t tell you those amounts either.
Compare the nutritional information for the loaves you’re considering on the same basis: per 100 g.
-
Overlooking allergens when choosing bread
Even if a type of bread seems suitable for the meal, its ingredients and allergens may determine whether someone can eat it.
Check the current ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of every loaf you choose.
-
Choosing a whole loaf without a plan for leftovers
A whole loaf may be more than you need for a small fakeaway meal.
Choose a size to suit the number of people, and follow the storage instructions for the product you bought when keeping any leftover bread.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers different types of bread to compare if you’re weighing up white and wholemeal options.
- Albert Heijn describes its Zaans wholemeal bread as soft and light.
- Check the current product description, ingredients and nutritional information for the loaf you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo is worth considering if you want to compare fine wholemeal bread with white varieties.
- Jumbo describes its Fijn Volkoren as a fully wholemeal wheat loaf and lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g for this product.
- This product-specific figure doesn’t apply to other Jumbo loaves, so compare their packaging separately.
Lidl
Lidl is an option if you want to factor the fibre information on packaged bread into your choice.
- Lidl says its packaged breads display a fibre meter.
- Also check the product description and nutritional information for the specific loaf you’re buying.
ALDI
ALDI lists white, brown and wholemeal loaves in its bread range.
- The range described includes half and whole loaves, which is useful if you want to choose a size to suit your group.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for each loaf; a range description is no substitute for the product label.
PLUS
PLUS is worth considering if you’re looking for half a loaf of fine wholemeal bread for a smaller group.
- PLUS describes Rond fijn volkoren half as half a wholemeal wheat loaf.
- Check the packaging of the product you choose for the latest ingredients, allergen and nutritional information.
Dirk
Dirk lists white, wholemeal and multigrain bread among its options.
- Having different types to choose from is useful if you want to serve more than one option.
- Check whether the type of bread, size and nutritional information for each product suit your meal.
Bread options on Joybuy
These options include a white baguette and white rolls, Lebanese flatbread labelled whole wheat, and a round loaf with the same label. Choose according to your dish and preferred size; check the packaging if the Dutch wholemeal label is essential.
Image unavailable
Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
A flatbread option to serve with a dip. The pack contains six pieces. Check the ingredients and product description if you’re specifically looking for bread labelled as wholemeal in the Netherlands.
Image unavailable
G'woon White Rustic Baguette, 250 g
A white baguette if you’d like to serve baguette-style bread with your fakeaway. The stated weight is 250 g; if nutritional value matters to you, compare the fibre and salt per 100 g on the current packaging.
Image unavailable
g'woon White Rustic Pistolet, 4 pieces
Four white rolls if you’d like to serve individual portions. Check the current packaging for nutritional information per 100 g and allergen details.
Image unavailable
Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
A 550 g round loaf if you’re looking for a larger bread to serve with your meal. Before buying, check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions on the packaging; the label ‘whole wheat’ alone doesn’t confirm that the bread carries the Dutch wholemeal designation.
Frequently asked questions
Is brown bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, brown bread is made from a mixture of refined and wholemeal flour, while wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. Check the product description rather than relying on the colour alone.
Can fine wholemeal bread be a good middle ground for fussy eaters?
Yes, if your guests like the texture and you choose a loaf that is clearly labelled as wholemeal. Jumbo and PLUS describe the fine wholemeal varieties mentioned as fully and half wholemeal wheat bread respectively; also check the nutritional information for the product you buy.
How do I check for allergens in bread for a fakeaway?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging of every loaf you plan to serve. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that the required allergens must be listed on the label; don’t rely on the type of bread or the label on a different product.
What should I do with bread left over after the meal?
Follow the storage instructions for the bread you bought. If you already know that a whole loaf will be too much, half a loaf or a suitable number of individual rolls may be more practical.