Who is this choice relevant to?

Households with several people at breakfast

If several people are eating with you on Sunday, you’ll want enough wholemeal bread without relying on the pack size alone. Check whether it’s a whole or half loaf and compare the net weight.

Shoppers who compare labels

If fibre, salt or ingredients matter to you, compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the exact loaves you’re considering. The wholemeal label doesn’t tell you how those values compare.

Smaller households looking to store bread

If you won’t get through a whole loaf soon after breakfast, having a storage plan can help you choose the right size. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it if you won’t eat it in time.

What should you look for?

First, work out how much bread you’ll get through at Sunday breakfast. Then compare the loaf style, the information on the label and what you’ll do with any leftovers.

What to consider What to check Who is it for?
Loaf size and budget Check whether it’s a whole or half loaf and look at the net weight before comparing different sizes. When several people are having breakfast, I want to buy enough bread without having too much left over. For around 33% of consumers, keeping to a budget comes first.
Label and nutritional information Check the wholemeal label, ingredients, fibre and salt per 100 g and, where relevant, the allergen information. I want to know which option suits my preferences for ingredients and nutritional information, even when both loaves are labelled wholemeal. For around 27% of consumers, comparing labels is the top priority.
Storage and waste Read the storage advice and, if needed, freeze portions as soon as you buy the bread. In a small household, it’s easy to have bread left over after Sunday breakfast that won’t be eaten within a few days. Avoiding waste comes first for around 20% of consumers.
Crust and texture Choose between styles such as fine, tiger or hearth-baked bread to suit your preferred texture; check the label for added ingredients. If not everyone at the table likes the same crust or texture, it matters whether the bread will actually be eaten. For around 20% of consumers, breakfast preferences are the most important factor.

Common mistakes

  • Comparing a half loaf with a whole loaf

    A pack with less bread may suit a small household, but it won’t provide the same amount for breakfast with several people.

    Check the size and net weight, then choose an amount you’re likely to eat.

  • Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So the word wholemeal doesn’t tell you which type of salt has been used.

    For packaged bread, read the ingredients list if you want to find out. For unpackaged bread, ask the shop.

  • Assuming the wholemeal label tells you everything

    Two wholemeal loaves can have different fibre and salt levels. Ingredients and allergens can also vary between products.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and, if you have an allergy, check the information for the specific loaf.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan

    If a household won’t get through a whole loaf within a few days, some of it may go uneaten or stale.

    Consider a smaller size or freeze the bread in portions as soon as you buy it, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises.

Brands to consider

These supermarket ranges show the loaf styles and label information you can compare. Always check the specific bread you’re planning to buy.

ALDI

ALDI’s range includes Fijn volkoren heel, Boeren tijger volkoren heel and Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood.

  • There’s a basic fine loaf as well as options with a different crust or composition to explore.
  • Check the weight and nutritional information on the packaging for the option you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s online range includes Fijn Volkoren and Boeren Tijger Volkoren.

  • You can compare a fine loaf and a tiger-style option within the same range.
  • Don’t assume that differences between these products apply to other Jumbo loaves.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s range includes AH Extra lang lekker tijger volkoren heel and AH Vloerbrood volkoren heel.

  • For these products, Albert Heijn lists 6,7 g and 6,3 g of fibre per 100 g respectively, and 0,9 g and 0,65 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The loaves also differ in style. Check the packaging of the option you choose for its ingredients and current nutritional information.

PLUS

PLUS Volkoren tijger heel is a wholemeal wheat loaf with a tiger-patterned crust.

  • PLUS lists 6,4 g of fibre and 0,99 g of salt per 100 g for this loaf.
  • If you have an allergy, check the current ingredients and allergen information for this specific loaf.

Dirk

Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren heel as an option for anyone looking for a whole wholemeal loaf.

  • The product name makes clear that it’s a whole farmhouse-style wholemeal loaf.
  • Check the net weight and label when comparing this loaf with other sizes or options.

Lidl

Lidl lists Fijn volkoren as an 800 g loaf available in store only.

  • The stated weight helps you compare how much bread you’re getting.
  • Check the packaging in store for the bread’s ingredients and nutritional information.

Wholemeal bread at Joybuy

This option may suit you if Lebanese wholemeal bread works for your Sunday breakfast. Compare its style and pack size with the sliced or whole loaf you’d otherwise choose.

Souq Lebanese wholemeal bread, 6 P

Souq Lebanese wholemeal bread, 6 P

An option if you’re looking for Lebanese wholemeal bread for Sunday breakfast rather than a whole sliced loaf.

Check the packaging if the exact ingredients, allergens or storage instructions are important to your choice.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

When can bread be labelled wholemeal?

According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a product can be labelled wholemeal when all the grain ingredient comes from wholemeal flour. The label alone doesn’t tell you how much salt or which allergens are in a particular option; check the label for that information.

Does every loaf of Dutch bread contain baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. If you want to know whether a particular loaf contains it, check the ingredients list for packaged bread or ask the shop about unpackaged bread.

How long can I keep wholemeal bread?

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says wholemeal bread keeps for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1 to 3 months in the freezer. If you won’t eat it soon, it’s best to freeze the bread in portions as soon as you buy it, and follow the instructions on the packaging.

How can I find out about allergens in unpackaged bread?

Ask the shop about allergens in the specific bread before you buy it. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products and must be provided to consumers in another way for unpackaged products.