For lunch at the office, start by choosing bread labelled wholemeal, then check whether the slice suits your filling. A half loaf is practical if you only need a few sandwiches; if you eat bread more often, a whole loaf may suit you, provided you use it in time or freeze it in portions. If you have specific requirements, compare the nutritional information and ingredients on the label.
You’re looking for wholemeal bread that goes well with the fillings you take most often. Check how the bread is labelled and, if it matters to you, compare the fibre and salt per 100 g on the label.
If you only eat bread a few days a week, you could choose a half loaf or freeze a whole loaf in portions after buying it. That way, you can match the size to how much you’ll actually use.
If you have a specific dietary requirement or allergy, the current ingredients list and allergen information are what matter. Also check whether baker’s salt has been used, if that’s relevant to your choice.
Start by checking that it’s labelled wholemeal. Then choose a slice that suits your filling and a loaf size that matches how much you eat in a week. Only then compare the different options in store.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare fibre on the same basis, per 100 g. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread labelled wholemeal is made with wholemeal flour. | If I take bread to work every day, I want to be sure it really is wholemeal. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers who eat lunch at the office. |
| Slice and filling | Check how the bread is sliced and whether a slice will suit the filling you’re taking with you. A name such as fine- or medium-sliced doesn’t, by itself, tell you the exact thickness. | When I’m taking a filling with me on the go, I mainly want a practical sandwich. A suitable slice is the top priority for around 25% of these consumers. |
| Size and storage | Choose a half or whole loaf to suit how much you eat in a week, and check whether you can freeze some of it straight away. | If I only eat bread on a few days at the office, I don’t want the rest to go to waste. That’s why around 25% of consumers prioritise loaf size and storage. |
| What’s in store | Check whether your store stocks the wholemeal option, slice and loaf size you’re looking for. | If I buy bread for lunch as part of my regular shop, I want to be able to find an option that suits how I use it. For around 17% of consumers, availability is the first thing they consider. |
The colour and visible grains don’t tell you whether bread is made with wholemeal flour. According to the Voedingscentrum, brown bread can also contain white flour; Albert Heijn describes Waldkorn as a brand name, not a type of grain.
Check that it’s labelled wholemeal before comparing the flavour and slice.
If you only make a few packed lunches, you may find that some bread is left over. The Voedingscentrum’s storage guide recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 4 days, or in the freezer for 1 to 3 months.
Choose a half loaf if you don’t eat much bread, or freeze a whole loaf in lunch-sized portions as soon as you buy it.
A claim about one specific option doesn’t automatically apply to other breads. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and, if there’s a comparative claim, check which product it’s being compared with.
Read the current packaging for the bread you’re buying, even if you already know the product range.
Standard wholemeal wheat bread contains gluten. The Voedingscentrum also says that bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt, so the wholemeal label won’t tell you whether it has been used.
If you have a specific dietary requirement or allergy, check the ingredients, allergen information and any mention of baker’s salt on the current packaging.
Albert Heijn lists a range of products online, including half loaves of wholemeal bread and different types of bread.
Jumbo Fijn Volkoren Half is one specific half loaf to consider for lunch at the office.
Lidl lists an 800 g loaf called Fijn volkoren in its in-store range.
ALDI lists finely sliced wholemeal bread in half and whole sizes, as well as a separate extra-high-fibre option.
PLUS lists options including Rond fijn volkoren in both whole and half sizes.
Dirk lists several half loaves of wholemeal bread from Bakker van der Akker, including Boeren volkoren and Casino volkoren.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, brown bread can contain either wholemeal flour or white flour, so look for the wholemeal label. Waldkorn is also not a type of grain, and the name alone doesn’t tell you what the bread is made from.
A half loaf is a good fit if you only need a few sandwiches a week; a whole loaf may suit you if you’ll get through it quickly or freeze it in portions. The Voedingscentrum’s storage guide recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 4 days, or in the freezer for 1 to 3 months.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt. If it matters to your choice, check the label on the bread you’re buying.
No, wheat contains gluten. If you have a specific dietary requirement or allergy, don’t rely on the wholemeal label alone. Read the product’s current ingredients list and allergen information.
