Holidaying families who eat bread every day
If several people have breakfast or lunch at home, you could consider buying a whole loaf. Don’t just look at the price per kilo: think about whether you’ll eat it in time or can freeze some of it.
Who should think carefully about their bread choice?
Small holiday groups
If you’re often out and about or regularly eat elsewhere, half a loaf may be a better fit for how much you use. Wholemeal crispbread is another option if you’d like a crunchy alternative to soft bread.
Shoppers who compare labels
If you check ingredients, salt, fibre or allergens, you’ll need the information for the exact product. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; other product details vary from loaf to loaf.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by estimating how much bread you’ll eat during your holiday. Then choose between a whole loaf, half a loaf or a crispbread alternative. Only then compare the products that suit your needs.
Wholemeal loaf
Best for: several people who eat bread every day, or a holiday home with a freezer.
Consider: a good price per kilo won’t help if some of the loaf goes uneaten.
Half a wholemeal loaf
Best for: a small group that doesn’t have breakfast or lunch at home every day.
Consider: compare the price per kilo as well as the smaller amount you’re buying.
Wholemeal crispbread
Best for: holidaymakers who want to take a crunchy alternative that can be stored dry.
Consider: crispbread isn’t soft, fresh bread. Check the storage instructions and best-before date on the pack.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Price per kilo | Compare the weight and price per kilo of similar wholemeal loaves, and check the price when you buy. | If I’m buying bread every day for several people, I want to know what a similar amount will cost. Around 45% of consumers put the price per kilo first. |
| Size and waste | Estimate how many meals you’ll have with bread and see if you can freeze some straight away. | When we’re often out during our holiday, I don’t want to buy a whole loaf that we won’t finish. Avoiding waste matters most to around 36% of consumers. |
| Label | Look for the wholemeal designation and, if needed, compare ingredients, allergens, salt and fibre per 100 g. | I want to be sure which bread I’m choosing and what’s in that particular product. Checking the label comes first for around 19% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Looking only at the price per loaf
A whole loaf and half a loaf don’t necessarily have the same price per kilo. What’s more, the size with the lowest price per kilo isn’t automatically better value if you end up throwing some away.
Compare the weight and price per kilo, then choose an amount that suits your holiday routine and freezer space.
Leaving part of a larger loaf uneaten means food waste.
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Assuming brown or multigrain bread is wholemeal
The colour or a name such as multigrain doesn’t prove that bread is made entirely from wholemeal flour. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread labelled wholemeal is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
Look for that wording on the pack if you specifically want to buy wholemeal bread.
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Treating an online price as the in-store price
In-store prices and product information shown online can change. Lidl directs customers to its stores for current food prices.
Check the price, weight and exact type of bread shortly before you buy.
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Assuming every loaf contains iodised baker’s salt
The RIVM states that not all bread is made with iodised salt. So you can’t assume this is a standard feature of every wholemeal loaf.
Check the ingredients for the specific loaf or ask the manufacturer for product information if this matters to your choice.
Supermarket chains to consider
These chains offer options you can compare when looking for wholemeal bread. Check the size, weight and label for each product. A chain’s inclusion here doesn’t mean it’ll be the cheapest place to shop when you buy.
Albert Heijn
Has an online wholemeal bread category, including regular options and loaves presented as staying fresh for longer.
- Its online range can help you choose a type of loaf.
- Albert Heijn says ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change, so check the packaging.
Jumbo
Lists several own-brand wholemeal loaves, including whole and half loaves.
- Where the weight and price per kilo are shown, you can compare whole and half loaves on a like-for-like basis.
- Check the current product listing before you decide.
Lidl
Stocks wholemeal bread, with the option mentioned available in store.
- Lidl lists its fine wholemeal loaf as weighing 800 g.
- For current food prices, Lidl directs customers to its stores.
ALDI
Stocks fine wholemeal bread and an extra-high-fibre wholemeal option, among other products.
- ALDI describes its extra-high-fibre option as having 30% less salt and 30% more fibre than regular wholemeal bread. This is the brand’s own comparison.
- For your chosen option, compare the full label and current in-store information, not just the claims on the front of the pack.
PLUS
Lists whole and half wholemeal loaves online, as well as dry alternatives such as wholemeal crispbread.
- The product information for PLUS Boeren wholemeal loaf lists a weight of 800 g.
- PLUS warns that in-store prices and product information may change.
Dirk
Lists Bakker van der Akker wholemeal options online, including a bâtard and a crusty loaf.
- The different loaf shapes give you a choice within the wholemeal range.
- Check the weight of your chosen option to compare its price per kilo fairly with other loaves.
Wholemeal crispbread at Joybuy
These crunchy alternatives are worth considering if you don’t want to take soft, fresh bread on holiday. Compare pack sizes and check the label, best-before date and price per kilo before you buy.
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Bolletje wholemeal crispbread, 265 g
A crunchy alternative for holidaymakers who don’t want to take soft, fresh bread with them.
265 g pack. Check the storage instructions, best-before date and allergens on the packaging.
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g'woon wholemeal crispbread, 375 g
A dry bread alternative to consider if your holiday routine doesn’t suit buying fresh bread.
375 g pack. Check the storage instructions, best-before date and allergens for this product.
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Wasa Rustic crispbread, 215 g
A crunchy alternative if you’d rather take a set amount than a fresh loaf.
215 g pack. Check the ingredients and storage instructions for the exact product before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
How can I recognise wholemeal bread?
Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the bread packaging. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. Don’t rely on a dark colour or the word ‘multigrain’ alone.
How long can I keep wholemeal bread during a holiday?
According to the Voedingscentrum’s storage guide, you can keep wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days and in the freezer for 1–3 months. Freeze bread in portions if you plan to eat it later. The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping it at room temperature in a sealed tin or plastic bag.
Is half a loaf better value for a small group?
Half a loaf may better suit a small group’s needs, even if its price per kilo is higher. Compare the current price per kilo with the number of meals you expect to have with bread, and consider whether you could freeze some of a whole loaf.
Does every wholemeal loaf contain iodised baker’s salt?
No, don’t assume that it does: the RIVM says that not all bread is made with iodised salt. Check the ingredients for the specific loaf if this matters to your choice.
What should I check on the label if I want to avoid allergens?
Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact type of bread on the packaging. The term ‘wholemeal’ tells you about the flour used; it doesn’t mean the bread is free from gluten or other allergens. Check for any warnings about traces too.