If you take bread with you every day
You want a straightforward wholemeal option for work or school, and choose a size you can finish over the course of the week.
Who are these choices relevant to?
If you compare nutritional information
When choosing wholemeal bread, you look at the fibre, salt and ingredients in each product rather than relying on its colour, seeds or name.
If you don't eat much bread at a time
You only take lunch with you occasionally and want to avoid leaving a whole loaf uneaten. A smaller pack or bread that can be frozen according to the product instructions may suit you better.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, check that the bread is labelled as wholemeal. Then look at its ingredients and choose a size that suits your lunch routine.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal base | Look for the wholemeal label on the pack; choose a filling that works for your lunch. | I want bread labelled as wholemeal for my daily lunch, and I also pay attention to the filling. For around 36% of consumers, a wholemeal base would be the main priority. |
| Everyday use | Compare the size with the number of slices you usually eat. | If I take bread with me every day, I want a standard option that matches how much I eat, without choosing features I don't need. For around 29% of consumers, everyday use would come first. |
| Ingredients | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product. | I want to be able to assess the ingredients before choosing a different wholemeal variety. For around 21% of consumers, this would be the main reason to compare labels. |
| Right-sized pack | Consider whether a whole or half loaf suits how much you eat, and follow any freezing instructions. | If I only eat bread occasionally, I don't want a large part of a whole loaf to go uneaten. Around 14% of consumers would mainly be looking for a suitable size. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark bread or bread with seeds is wholemeal
The colour and visible seeds don't tell you whether a loaf is labelled as wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, different types of bread vary in their fibre, vitamin and mineral content.
Check that it is labelled as wholemeal, then compare the nutritional information per 100 g.
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Choosing a whole loaf without considering how much you eat
A whole loaf may not suit your lunch routine if you won't finish it.
If needed, choose a half loaf or check whether and how the bread can be frozen according to the product instructions.
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Expecting another loaf to have the same ingredients
Ingredients and allergens can vary from one product to another. Don't assume that every loaf contains bakers' salt either: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers don't always use it.
Read the label again when you buy a new pack. For unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information and, if necessary, check which salt has been used.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers various types of wholemeal bread, including standard loaves and other varieties.
- You can browse different wholemeal options across the range.
- Compare the size and product information for each variety; the different loaves are not identical.
Jumbo
Jumbo Fijn Volkoren is a standard wholemeal loaf with nutritional information available.
- Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre and 1,00 g of salt per 100 g for Fijn Volkoren.
- These values apply to this product; check the label of the variety you choose.
ALDI
ALDI offers both Fijn Volkoren and a separate wholemeal variety that is particularly high in fibre.
- You can compare a standard variety with one that has a different composition.
- A feature or claim for the high-fibre variety does not automatically apply to other ALDI bread.
Dirk
Dirk stocks products including Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren and a separate variety with extra fibre.
- The two product names make it clear which variety you're looking at.
- Check the nutritional information for the exact loaf, not the other variety.
PLUS
PLUS provides product information for its Boeren volkoren heel loaf, as well as instructions for freezing it at home.
- PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g for this loaf.
- The freezing instructions apply to this product: freeze it on the day you buy it and use it within one month.
Lidl
Lidl lists Fijn volkoren as a loaf available in store.
- The product page gives a pack size of 800 g for this variety.
- Check the pack in store if you want to compare ingredients or nutritional values.
Wholemeal bread for different lunch routines
These Joybuy products are wholemeal breads in two formats: flatbreads for lunch and round loaves for baking at home. Choose based on the size you want, how much you eat and the preparation that suits your routine.
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Souq Lebanese wholemeal flatbread, 6 pieces
For a lunch where you want to use wholemeal flatbread. Check the storage and allergen information on the pack, especially if you won't use all six pieces at once.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal loaf, 550 g
For anyone who wants to bake a round wholemeal loaf at home. Allow time to defrost and bake it, and check the preparation instructions on the pack.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal loaf, 2 × 550 g
For anyone planning to use two round wholemeal loaves for several lunches. Both loaves need to be defrosted and baked; choose a pack size that suits how much you eat and follow the storage and preparation instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Is wholemeal bread a sensible base for a daily bread-based lunch?
Yes, if you're looking for a wholemeal base: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread contains more fibre, vitamins and minerals than white bread. Also choose a size you can finish and consider your filling separately.
Does the bread alone determine what I put in my lunch?
No, the filling and what you eat alongside the bread matter too. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists hummus, eggs, vegetables and fruit among the options included in the Dutch Wheel of Five dietary guidelines.
Does every loaf contain iodised bakers' salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers don't use bakers' salt in every loaf. For packaged bread, read the ingredients list; for unpackaged bread, ask which salt has been used.
Where can I find allergen information for bread?
Allergen information is shown on the label of pre-packed bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the rules on mandatory allergen labelling. For unpackaged bread, ask for the information before buying, and check it again if you choose a different product.
Can I freeze a whole loaf if I don't eat many slices?
You can if the product instructions allow it. PLUS says that its Boeren volkoren heel loaf can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. For other loaves, follow the instructions for that product.