Who is this choice relevant to?

Households keeping an eye on fibre

You’re looking for bread labelled ‘wholemeal’ and comparing the nutritional information per 100 g, rather than judging by the colour of the loaf.

King's Day meal organisers

You’re choosing a loaf size to suit the number of people at your brunch or picnic. A half loaf or suitable freezing instructions can be useful if there’s bread left over.

Shoppers who need to check the label carefully

You want to know which allergens the bread contains and whether baker’s salt or iodised salt has been used. The word ‘wholemeal’ alone won’t tell you that.

What should you look for when buying?

Start with the type of bread and its nutritional information, then decide which size is right for your meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that wholemeal bread is made from the whole grain, while the label gives you the information you need to compare individual loaves.

What to consider What to look for Who it matters to
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and compare the fibre per 100 g across similar loaves. If I’m looking for genuinely wholemeal bread, I don’t want to rely on its dark colour alone. For around 36% of consumers, choosing wholemeal bread for its fibre content is the top priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the allergen information and compare salt per 100 g. If you’re interested in the type of salt used, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt. When ingredients are the deciding factor for me, I want to know what’s in the bread before serving it. Around 29% of consumers give checking the label top priority.
Size and storage Compare whole and half loaves, their weight, and the storage or freezing instructions. If the group is small or the numbers may vary, I want to avoid having lots of bread left over after King's Day. For around 21% of consumers, choosing the right size matters most.
Availability Check that the bread you want is available at the shop where you plan to do your shopping. If I want to buy all my celebration food in one shop, the wholemeal bread I choose needs to be available there. Convenience comes first for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal

    A dark colour or a name such as ‘multigrain’ doesn’t, by itself, mean the bread is entirely wholemeal.

    Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and check the ingredients list on packaged bread.

  • Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. The type of bread won’t tell you which salt has been used.

    Check the ingredients for baker’s salt or iodised salt, or ask if you’re buying unpackaged bread.

  • Looking at fibre alone

    The fibre content doesn’t tell you about the salt or allergens in the same loaf. For example, Jumbo’s product information for Fijn Volkorenbrood lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g; that figure doesn’t apply to other breads.

    Compare nutritional values on the same per-100 g basis, and check the allergen information separately.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a plan for leftovers

    If you’re catering for a small group on King's Day, you may have a whole loaf left over, even if its size seemed convenient for serving.

    Consider a half loaf, or follow the freezing instructions for the bread you choose if you want to keep some for later.

Brands to consider

These ranges include a variety of wholemeal breads and loaf sizes. Compare the details for the specific bread you’re planning to buy; an example product doesn’t automatically tell you about the rest of the range.

Albert Heijn

The range includes several wholemeal breads, including round loaves and tiger bread.

  • For AH Rond volkoren heel, Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in the ingredients.
  • Albert Heijn recommends checking the current packaging, as product information can change.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers fine wholemeal bread, among other products, with information about its ingredients and nutritional values.

  • Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g for Fijn Volkorenbrood.
  • This figure applies to that specific loaf. Check the label of other varieties for their own details.

PLUS

PLUS offers wholemeal loaves with product information and storage advice.

  • For PLUS Boeren volkoren heel, PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g, along with instructions for freezing at home.
  • Check the packaging of the loaf you buy for the latest information and storage advice.

ALDI

The bread range includes fine wholemeal bread and a variety called Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood.

  • ALDI describes that specific variety as wholemeal bread.
  • Compare the nutritional information on the current packaging when choosing, rather than relying on the claim on the front alone.

Dirk

Dirk offers a whole wholemeal floor loaf, among other products.

  • A whole floor loaf is worth considering when you’re feeding several people.
  • Check the nutritional information for your chosen loaf to find out about fibre, salt and allergens.

Lidl

Lidl sells freshly baked bread and offers, among other products, a half loaf of extra wholemeal bread.

  • The half loaf is an option to consider for a smaller group.
  • Check the store information and the ingredients and allergen details for the bread you choose.

Bread options at Joybuy

These options are flatbread and rye bread for anyone looking beyond the usual wholemeal loaf for a shared meal. Before choosing the rye bread as a fully wholemeal option, check the ingredients. The size and type of bread are no substitute for checking the label.

Souq Lebanese wholemeal flatbread, 6 pieces

Souq Lebanese wholemeal flatbread, 6 pieces

Flatbread can work well for a meal where you want to share the bread, but it’s a different type of bread from a whole wholemeal loaf. Check the current packaging for fibre and salt per 100 g, allergens and the type of salt used, if that matters to your choice.

View at Joybuy
Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g

Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g

This rye bread is worth considering if you’re looking for a different type of bread to serve with your meal. If you want fully wholemeal bread, don’t rely on ‘rye’ alone: check the ingredients, fibre and salt per 100 g, and allergens on the current packaging.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is dark or multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. The colour and the word ‘multigrain’ don’t prove that a loaf is entirely wholemeal. Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and check the ingredients list on packaged bread.

Is every wholemeal loaf made with baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt isn’t compulsory when baking bread. Check the label for baker’s salt or iodised salt, or ask which type of salt has been used if you’re buying unpackaged bread.

Does ordinary wholemeal wheat bread contain gluten?

Yes, wheat contains gluten. If allergens matter to your choice, check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific loaf; don’t rely on the bread’s name alone.

What should I do with leftover bread after King's Day?

Choose a loaf size to suit the number of people you’re feeding, and follow the bread’s storage or freezing instructions for any leftovers. For example, PLUS says its Boeren volkoren heel can be frozen at home on the day of purchase. Check the packaging for other breads.