If you want wholemeal bread for lunch, start by checking the bread’s name and ingredients. Finely milled wholemeal bread may be a good option if a coarse texture puts you off; according to the Dutch Bakery Centre, brown bread contains both white flour and wholemeal flour, so it isn’t the same thing. Then compare the nutritional information and allergens for the specific bread you choose.
You want to know whether a loaf really is wholemeal, rather than judging by its colour or a name such as multigrain. Albert Heijn explains that the term ‘wholemeal’ refers to bread made with 100% wholemeal flour.
You’re looking for a less coarse texture without giving up wholemeal bread altogether. Finely milled wholemeal bread is one option to consider, as long as the name and ingredients suit your needs.
Your choice isn’t just about the type of bread: ingredients, allergens and salt per 100 g matter too. Always check the information for the specific loaf.
First decide whether wholemeal bread is your priority, or whether a finer texture is what you need to make it work for lunch. Then compare the packaging of the options you’ve shortlisted, even if two loaves have the same name.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal content | Read the bread’s name and ingredients; don’t judge by its colour or crust alone. | I want to choose wholemeal bread for lunch and avoid picking up brown bread by mistake. Around 50% of consumers put this certainty first. |
| Finer texture | Look for finely milled wholemeal bread and check that the name still identifies it as wholemeal. | A coarse crumb makes wholemeal bread less appealing to the person eating it, so I’m looking for a finer option. For around 30% of consumers, texture is the most important factor. |
| Size and label | Choose a whole or half loaf that suits you, and read the nutritional information and allergen details for that product. | I want an amount that suits our lunches and need to be able to check the packaging before buying. This practical consideration comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
The Dutch Bakery Centre describes brown bread as a combination of white flour and wholemeal flour. So neither the colour nor the number of grains tells you by itself whether a loaf is entirely wholemeal.
If you’re looking for fully wholemeal bread, read the bread’s name and ingredients.
A fine grind affects the texture, not a set amount of fibre or salt. Jumbo lists 7.6 g of fibre per 100 g for one finely milled wholemeal loaf; that figure doesn’t automatically apply to other varieties.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g on the packaging of the loaves you’re considering.
Breads with similar names can have different ingredients or warnings about the possible presence of allergens. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of checking the allergen information on the label.
If you have an allergy, always read the current ingredients list and check for any warning about possible traces.
A general reference to baker’s salt doesn’t confirm which ingredients are in the loaf you’re looking to buy.
If the ingredients matter to your choice, check the packaging or ask the baker about that specific loaf.
Albert Heijn offers a range of wholemeal varieties, including regular, tiger, Zaans and Waldkorn.
Jumbo provides product information for options including finely milled wholemeal bread.
Lidl describes a kids’ wholemeal loaf made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
ALDI describes a range of finely milled wholemeal options, as well as an extra-high-fibre wholemeal loaf.
PLUS offers options including finely milled wholemeal, tiger wholemeal and Korenlanders varieties.
Dirk offers several wholemeal varieties, including one with extra fibre and a hearth-baked loaf.
This is a wheat flatbread for anyone looking to have bread with lunch. If you’re specifically after finely sliced wholemeal bread, assess the type of bread and its texture separately.
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A wheat flatbread for lunch, rather than a standard sliced wholemeal loaf. If fully wholemeal bread or a fine texture is essential for you, check the name, ingredients and product description on the packaging.
No. According to the Dutch Bakery Centre, brown bread contains both white flour and wholemeal flour; Albert Heijn explains that the term ‘wholemeal’ for bread means it is made with 100% wholemeal flour. So check the bread’s name rather than judging by its colour alone.
Yes, it’s worth considering if the coarse texture is what puts you off. Whether you like a particular loaf is a matter of personal taste; also check the name and nutritional information for that product.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact loaf, including any warning about the possible presence of allergens. Product information from PLUS shows that similar types of bread can have different ingredients and allergen details.
No. A general reference to baker’s salt doesn’t confirm the ingredients of an individual loaf. Check the packaging or ask the baker about the ingredients in the bread you’re considering.
Follow the storage instructions for the bread you choose. PLUS recommends keeping its Boeren wholemeal bread in a dry, dark place; instructions may differ for other loaves.
