For a special bread-based meal in an older household, first look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. Then choose a bread shape to suit the occasion, such as a round sourdough loaf to share or sliced bread that’s easy to top. Compare the nutritional information, allergens and storage instructions for each product; a traditional, artisan look doesn’t tell you what’s inside.
For anyone who wants to consider ingredients, portions and how easy a bread is to eat when planning a bread-based meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes wholemeal bread and foods containing fibre in its guidance on nutrition for older adults.
For anyone sharing bread with, for example, soup, salad or lunch. A round loaf, a hearth-baked loaf and a baguette each call for a different way of slicing and serving.
For anyone comparing the ingredients, nutritional information, allergens and storage instructions for different breads. Always check the packaging of the product you’re actually buying.
First decide whether the bread is mainly for sharing or for making sandwiches. Then check for the word ‘wholemeal’ and compare the information on the packaging on a like-for-like basis.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal content and nutritional information | Look for ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging. Compare fibre and salt per 100 g. | If the ingredients are my top priority, I want to know whether the bread is genuinely wholemeal and be able to compare nutritional values on the same basis. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Bread shape for the meal | Consider whether a round loaf, a hearth-baked loaf or a baguette suits the number of people eating and the way you plan to serve it. | When sharing a meal, I want to serve and slice the bread in a way that suits the food. This serving preference is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ease of eating and storage | Check whether it’s sliced, the allergen information and the storage or baking instructions. | For everyday use, I want bread that’s practical to eat and store, while still being able to check the ingredients. Around 25% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
A dark colour, seeds or sourdough don’t tell you whether all the flour used is wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, brown bread isn’t necessarily made entirely from wholemeal flour.
First check for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging, then choose based on the shape of the bread or its flavour description.
Nutritional values and allergen information can vary between wholemeal breads, too. A firm crust or unusual shape is no substitute for checking this information.
Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and read the full ingredients and allergen information for the bread you choose.
A bread that was listed online previously may not be available with every order or in every shop. The information on the packaging may also differ from what you saw on an earlier product page.
Check availability when you buy, and read the label again.
In a small household, it’s worth considering how many slices or pieces you’ll need for the meal and when you’ll eat the rest.
Choose a suitable loaf size and follow the instructions for freezing or baking the specific product.
Without a plan for the rest of the loaf, some of it may go unused.
The AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren reviewed here is a 600 g wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf, for anyone wanting to serve a whole loaf with a meal.
The Jumbo Fijn Volkorenbrood reviewed here is an option for anyone who’d rather serve slices than a loaf to cut at the table.
The PLUS products reviewed include a wholemeal baguette to share with a meal and a whole boeren-volkorenbrood (farmhouse wholemeal loaf).
The wholemeal hearth-baked loaf from Dirk reviewed here is another option for anyone wanting to serve a whole loaf.
These products offer two ways to serve bread with a special meal: Lebanese flatbread to share and round wholemeal sourdough loaves. For the round loaves, note the difference between a single loaf and a pack of two.
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This Lebanese flatbread is a good fit for a meal where you can tear it into pieces and serve it with dips.
The product information lists wholemeal wheat flour, 6 g of fibre and 0.48 g of salt per 100 g. It isn’t sliced bread; check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.
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The round shape could suit a meal where you want to slice the bread at the table.
The product description lists wholemeal wheat flour and wholemeal sourdough. This pack contains two loaves, which the product instructions say must be defrosted and baked before use. Check the packaging for nutritional values per 100 g and the applicable storage and baking instructions.
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This single round loaf is an option if one loaf is a better fit for the number of people eating.
The product description lists wholemeal wheat flour and wholemeal sourdough. Before baking, check the instructions on the packaging, as the product information gives different baking times. Only compare nutritional values once you’ve confirmed the basis used on the packaging.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, while brown bread may contain a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour. So look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging.
Choose a bread shape to suit the people eating and the way you plan to serve it: sliced bread is easy to top, while a round loaf or baguette can be shared at the table. Also check the ingredients, portion size and allergen information; individual dietary needs can vary.
Compare the values per 100 g so that different slice sizes don’t skew the comparison. Use the per-slice values as an extra guide to see how they fit the portion you plan to serve, and check the current packaging.
