The fibre-conscious breakfast maker
You want to serve wholemeal bread for Mother’s Day, so you compare the wholemeal labelling and fibre per 100 g. The Dutch Nutrition Centre describes wholegrain products as being made from the entire grain.
Who is this choice relevant to?
The family with different bread preferences
Not everyone likes a coarse slice. So you also consider the texture: Jumbo, for example, offers fine wholemeal bread, while Lidl describes a kids’ version made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
The label-conscious shopper
You want to know which ingredients and allergens are listed for the exact product before serving it. If iodised salt matters to you, also check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt appears in the ingredients list.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the wholemeal labelling. Then choose a bread shape to suit breakfast and compare the information on the label of the exact product.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check that it is labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g. | If I want to serve wholemeal bread, I don’t want to judge it by colour or a grain-rich name alone. For around 36% of consumers, choosing wholemeal bread and checking its fibre content come first. |
| Texture and taste | Choose between fine, coarse or wholemeal sourdough, depending on the texture you prefer. | If your guests prefer a smoother slice, texture matters more than a rustic appearance. Around 29% of consumers prioritise finding the right taste and texture. |
| Label information | Check the ingredients, allergens and salt content on the chosen pack; look for baker’s salt or iodised salt if relevant. | If someone at the table needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check the information for this exact loaf. For around 21% of consumers, checking the label is their main concern. |
| Loaf size and storage | Choose a quantity to suit your group and follow the storage instructions if there’s any bread left over. | For a small breakfast, I don’t want to buy a whole loaf if a smaller one will do. Around 14% of consumers put choosing the right quantity first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming brown, multigrain or sourdough means wholemeal
According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, the type of grain used tells you something different about bread from its colour or how it is leavened. A dark crust doesn’t prove that a loaf is entirely wholemeal.
Look for the wholemeal label, then compare the fibre per 100 g.
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Assuming every loaf contains iodised baker’s salt
The Dutch Nutrition Centre says that bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it is present from the type of bread alone.
For packaged bread, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt. For unwrapped bread, ask which ingredients have been used.
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Assuming a similar loaf has the same allergens
Breads from the same shop can list different ingredients and possible traces. A product’s recipe may also change.
Before serving, read the allergen information on the packaging of the exact product, especially if someone at the table needs to avoid certain ingredients.
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Automatically choosing a whole loaf for a small breakfast
If the loaf size doesn’t suit your group, you’re more likely to have bread left over.
See whether half a loaf or a smaller loaf will be enough. If you’d like to freeze any leftovers, follow the storage advice for the product you’ve chosen.
Brands to consider
These brands offer different wholemeal options or product information to help you assess a particular type of bread. Always check the label of the loaf you choose.
Albert Heijn
A useful starting point if you want to compare whole, round loaves of wholemeal bread.
- Albert Heijn lists 6.9 g of fibre and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g for AH Rond volkoren heel, along with the ingredients and freezing advice.
- Albert Heijn warns that ingredients and nutritional information may change, so check the current packaging before use.
Jumbo
An option for comparing fine and coarser wholemeal breads with other bread shapes.
- Jumbo lists 7.6 g of fibre per 100 g for Fijn Volkorenbrood and provides product information about ingredients and allergens.
- Check the current product information for each option and whether the loaf shape you want is available to order.
Lidl
Worth considering if you’re looking for rustic wholemeal sourdough or a finer-milled wholemeal option.
- Lidl describes a rustic wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf and a kids’ wholemeal loaf made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information separately for the option you choose.
ALDI
A useful comparison if you want to weigh up a standard wholemeal option against one with extra fibre.
- According to ALDI’s own comparison with NEVO-Online 2021, its extra-high-fibre wholemeal bread contains 30% more fibre and 30% less salt than standard wholemeal bread. This claim applies to this particular product and comparison basis.
- For your own comparison, use the current nutritional information for the breads you’re considering.
PLUS
An option if you want to assess a whole farmhouse-style wholemeal loaf by its nutritional information and allergens.
- PLUS lists 6.7 g of fibre and 1.03 g of salt per 100 g for Boeren volkoren heel, along with allergen information.
- PLUS says that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change.
Dirk
A useful reference if you want to explore wholemeal hearth bread and a wholemeal option with extra fibre.
- Dirk features wholemeal hearth bread and Bakker van der Akker Boeren Extra vezels volkoren heel.
- Check the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific product before comparing it with another loaf.
Joybuy products for different bread shapes
For a Mother’s Day breakfast, here are a round wholemeal loaf, wholemeal flatbreads and crispbread to compare. Flatbreads and crispbread have a different texture from a regular soft slice of bread.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
This round wholemeal loaf is a good choice for a breakfast when you have time to bake it before serving. Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling; check the packaging for preparation instructions and allergen information.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
These six wholemeal flatbreads offer a different serving option from a whole sliced loaf. Choose them if flatbread suits your breakfast, and check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.
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g'woon Wholemeal Crispbread, 375 g
This crispbread is a crunchy option if you’re not looking for soft bread. Bear in mind that it has a different texture, and check the packaging for ingredients and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell wholemeal bread apart from brown and multigrain bread?
Check whether the bread is labelled wholemeal and read the ingredients list. According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, wholegrain products are made from the entire grain; a dark colour or a multigrain label alone doesn’t prove that bread is entirely wholemeal.
Does Dutch wholemeal bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?
No, you can’t assume that every wholemeal loaf contains iodised baker’s salt. The Dutch Nutrition Centre says that bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. For packaged bread, check the ingredients list; for unwrapped bread, ask which ingredients have been used.
Does sourdough tell you anything about a bread’s fibre content?
No, sourdough describes the leavening method and doesn’t indicate the fibre content on its own. For wholemeal sourdough, look for the wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutrition table.
Which allergens should I check in wholemeal bread?
Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product you plan to serve. The product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS shows that the grains and other listed allergens vary from one loaf to another, so don’t rely on information for a similar product.
What should I do if there’s bread left after Mother’s Day breakfast?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging of the bread you’ve chosen. The product information for the Albert Heijn and PLUS loaves mentioned here recommends freezing them on the day of purchase. If you’re catering for a small group, you could also choose a smaller loaf to begin with.