Who is this choice for?

Anyone making sandwiches or toasties in a hurry

If you’re making several filled portions in one evening, you’ll want to know in advance whether the wholemeal loaf is pre-sliced and whether the slices are suitable for your filling.

Anyone who also eats bread every day

You’re looking for bread for your fakeaway night and other days too. In that case, the ingredients, fibre per 100 g and a suitable half or whole loaf all matter.

Anyone who needs to check the label carefully

If you need to watch out for allergens, the information on the pack you choose is key. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the label also tells you whether baker’s salt has been used.

What should you look for?

Start with the type of bread and slice your dish calls for. Then compare the nutritional information and check the ingredients of the exact loaf you want to buy.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal and fibre Check that the bread is sold as wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutrition table. If I eat the same bread on other days too, I want to be able to compare the ingredients and fibre content. Around 44% of consumers prioritise wholemeal status and fibre.
Slices and quantity Check that the bread is pre-sliced and choose a whole or half loaf to suit the number of people eating. For several filled sandwiches, I don’t want to have to slice a loaf myself; if there are only a few of us, I don’t want lots left over either. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this convenience.
Allergens and baker’s salt Read the allergen information and, if it’s relevant to your choice, check whether baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients. If I need to account for allergens or want to know whether baker’s salt has been used, I need to read the label on this loaf. This label check matters most to around 23% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘fine’ means a particular slice thickness

    Supermarkets use terms such as fine, whole, half and sliced to describe different things. ‘Fine’ on its own doesn’t tell you whether a slice will suit the filling you want to use.

    Look for an explicit statement that the bread is sliced. Check the slices in store or, if you’re ordering online, ask about them if they’re crucial to your dish.

  • Relying on the word ‘wholemeal’ alone

    The nutrition table gives you a better basis for comparing the fibre in specific loaves than the product name alone. Always compare like with like.

    Read the ingredients list and compare the fibre per 100 g. A product-specific claim about extra fibre doesn’t automatically apply to other wholemeal breads.

  • Assuming every loaf is made with baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt in bread isn’t compulsory. So the type of bread or the shop’s name for it won’t tell you whether the loaf you’ve chosen contains it.

    Check the ingredients on the pack if the use of baker’s salt is relevant to your choice.

  • Checking for allergens only after planning the filling

    Allergen information can vary between breads and recipes. If you’re making a dish for several people, it’s important to read the information for the loaf you’ve chosen.

    Before buying, check both the listed ingredients and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens on the current packaging.

Brands and ranges to explore

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s online range includes various wholemeal breads, including whole, half and sliced options.

  • You can compare bread styles and pack sizes side by side.
  • Check whether the slices in your chosen loaf suit your filling.

Jumbo

For the fine wholemeal breads reviewed, Jumbo provides product information that lets you compare ingredients and nutritional values.

  • Jumbo Fine Wholemeal lists wholemeal WHEAT flour as its first ingredient and 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The description ‘whole wholemeal wheat bread’ doesn’t confirm a specific medium-thick slice.

Lidl

Lidl publishes ingredients and allergen information for its fresh-from-the-oven bread range.

  • This information helps you check a specific bread choice.
  • Check the slices and nutritional values separately for the loaf you want to use.

ALDI

ALDI describes its Fine Wholemeal as sliced and also sells a separate product called Extra High-Fibre Wholemeal Bread.

  • The word ‘sliced’ is useful if you want to save yourself some effort when making sandwiches.
  • The features of one loaf don’t automatically apply to another ALDI option; check the label of the one you choose.

PLUS

PLUS’s online range features Round Fine Wholemeal in both whole and half loaves.

  • Choosing between a whole or half loaf can help you get the right amount for the number of people eating.
  • ‘Fine’ doesn’t specify a particular slice thickness for this option.

Dirk

Dirk offers wholemeal breads in different styles, as both half and whole loaves.

  • You can choose a bread style and quantity to suit your dish.
  • Check the information for the specific loaf to find out about its ingredients, allergens and slices.

A related option at Joybuy

If you’re also considering a rye bread roll for a filled fakeaway meal, you can take a look at the pack below. If you’re specifically after a medium-thick slice of wholemeal wheat bread, check the style of loaf and slices yourself.

Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g pack

Bolletje Rye Bread Bun – 500 g

If you want to use a rye bread roll for a filled dish, check that its shape and slices work with your filling.

Check the current packaging for allergens and whether baker’s salt has been used, if that information is relevant to your choice.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether bread is wholemeal?

Choose bread that is explicitly sold as wholemeal and read the ingredients list on the pack you’ve chosen. To compare fibre, check the nutrition information per 100 g; for the Jumbo Fine Wholemeal reviewed, Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g.

Does all Dutch bread contain baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when making bread isn’t compulsory, and the label tells you whether it has been used. So check the loaf you’ve chosen if this information matters to your purchase.

What should I check if someone eating needs to avoid allergens?

Read the allergen information on the current packaging of the bread you want to use. The Fine Wholemeal described by Jumbo lists barley and wheat and warns that other allergens may be present; don’t assume the same information applies to another loaf.

Is a half loaf handy for one fakeaway night?

A half loaf could be a good option if you only need a few slices and aren’t likely to use the rest quickly. Albert Heijn and PLUS offer both half and whole wholemeal options; also check that the slices in the option you choose suit your dish.