Brunch snack makers who like generous toppings
If you want to top slices with several ingredients or a moist topping, don’t rely on the bread’s name alone. Check how it’s sliced and decide what thickness and sturdiness you need for your snack.
Who should consider the slicing option?
Label-conscious wholemeal bread buyers
For your Mother’s Day table, you’ll want to know what bread you’re serving. Compare the wholemeal claim, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for each product instead of judging by its colour or terms such as ‘coarse’.
Sunday brunch planners
If you’re buying ahead or serving several guests, consider how many slices you’ll need and how to store the bread. Plan in advance whether you can prepare, portion or freeze it in time.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the slicing option and the thickness you want for your toppings. Then compare the label and plan when the bread needs to be ready for brunch.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sturdiness under toppings | Think about the slice you’ll need for generous or moist toppings; don’t assume it will be sturdy just because ‘coarse’ or ‘sturdy’ appears in the name. | If I want to serve a generously topped snack, it should still be easy to pick up. For around 31% of consumers, how well the slice holds toppings is the top priority. |
| Slice thickness and presentation | Check whether the bread is pre-sliced and, if possible, ask about the available slicing options. | For a brunch platter, I want to be able to make slices as thick as I like and cut them into portions. Around 25% of consumers prioritise having control over the slice. |
| Label and nutritional information | Check the wholemeal claim and allergens; compare fibre and salt per 100 g for the exact products. | When choosing food for guests, I want to know what’s in the bread and whether it suits their dietary requirements. Label information is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Planning and storage | Check availability at your chosen shop and follow the product’s storage and preparation instructions. | If I’m buying bread ahead of Sunday brunch, I want to be able to serve it on time without having too much left over. For around 19% of consumers, planning comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘whole’ means ‘unsliced’
A whole loaf may already be sliced. For example, Albert Heijn describes AH OerDesem volkoren Allinson as ‘whole, sliced’, so the slicing option has already been decided.
Read ‘whole’ and ‘sliced’ separately. If you want to cut thick slices yourself, check that the bread is unsliced before buying.
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Assuming ‘coarse’ or ‘extra high in fibre’ means thickly sliced
These words describe a product variant or nutritional feature, not the thickness of the slices. They also don’t automatically tell you how well the bread will hold up under moist toppings.
Use these terms as an additional guide only after checking the slicing option. Compare nutritional values separately, per 100 g.
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Overlooking allergens when planning a brunch
Wholemeal bread may contain wheat and gluten. So if you’re hosting a brunch, the product name alone won’t tell you whether everyone can eat it.
Ask about relevant food allergies and dietary requirements, read the allergen information for the exact product, and take care to avoid cross-contamination when preparing and serving it.
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Buying bread early without planning portions
A whole loaf may give you more slices than you need. The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for a limited time; freezing is an option if you want to store it for longer.
Work out how many snack slices you’ll need in advance and follow the storage advice on the packaging. If necessary, freeze the bread in portions for later.
Brands to compare
Compare the slicing option and label for each loaf: a brand name or range category doesn’t confirm that a product has thick slices.
Albert Heijn
A useful reference if you want to look at a wholemeal sourdough loaf with clearly described slicing.
- Albert Heijn lists AH OerDesem volkoren Allinson as a whole, sliced loaf weighing 800 g, and provides product information about its ingredients and allergens.
- ‘Whole, sliced’ doesn’t mean you can choose the thickness of the slices.
Jumbo
A useful reference if you want to compare different wholemeal options within one range.
- Jumbo’s online wholemeal bread category includes options such as Rond Grof Volkoren and Stevig Volkoren Zonnepit.
- A category name doesn’t tell you how an individual loaf is sliced; check the product details or ask in store.
Lidl
A useful reference if you want to look at packaged bread and the fibre information on the packaging.
- Lidl describes a fibre meter on its packaged breads, based on the fibre content per 100 g.
- The fibre meter doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. Check the bread you’ve chosen and the range at your local store.
ALDI
A useful reference if you want to compare the nutritional information for a specific wholemeal option.
- ALDI describes a product called Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood Heel.
- Neither ‘whole’ nor the product name confirms that the bread is unsliced or has thick slices.
PLUS
A useful reference if you want to compare ingredients and allergens for a coarse wholemeal option.
- For Grof volkoren heel, PLUS lists 6.8 g of fibre and 1.01 g of salt per 100 g; the product information also lists wheat, barley and soya as allergens.
- ‘Coarse’ and ‘whole’ don’t tell you how thick the slices are. Check the slicing option separately.
Dirk
A useful reference if you want to look at a wholemeal hearth-baked loaf as a base for brunch snacks.
- Dirk describes a product called Vloerbrood volkoren heel.
- The product name doesn’t make it clear whether you can slice it yourself. Ask your shop about the bread and its slicing options.
Wholemeal bread for slicing yourself
These two round wholemeal wheat loaves are options if you want to slice the bread yourself after baking for Mother’s Day snacks. Choose the slice thickness you want, but assess separately whether the slices will suit your chosen toppings.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g
An option if you’re preparing bread for several brunch guests and want to slice it yourself after baking.
The product name lists two 550 g loaves. Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling, and follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.
Check whether the slices you choose will be sturdy enough for generous or moist toppings. This wholemeal wheat bread contains gluten.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
An option if you’re preparing one loaf for brunch and want to slice it yourself after baking.
The product name lists 550 g. Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling, and check the preparation instructions on the packaging.
Slicing it yourself lets you choose the thickness, but doesn’t determine how well it will hold heavy or moist toppings. This wholemeal wheat bread contains gluten.
Frequently asked questions
Can I slice thick slices from a ‘whole’ loaf myself?
Not necessarily: ‘whole’ can also appear on the label of a loaf that’s already sliced. For example, Albert Heijn describes AH OerDesem volkoren Allinson as ‘whole, sliced’. Check whether it says ‘unsliced’ or ask about the slicing options before assuming you can cut it yourself.
Are coarse or extra high-fibre breads sturdier under toppings?
You can’t tell from those product terms. ‘Coarse’ and ‘extra high in fibre’ don’t confirm the slice thickness or how well it will hold moist toppings. First check how the bread is sliced, then decide whether the slice is suitable for your topping.
What should I check if a guest can’t eat wheat or gluten?
Check the ingredients and allergens for every loaf you plan to serve; standard wholemeal wheat bread shouldn’t be assumed to be suitable. Ask about the guest’s specific dietary restriction, and take care to avoid cross-contamination during preparation and serving.
How can I tell whether a bread contains iodised salt?
Check the ingredients list for the specific loaf. For example, Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH OerDesem volkoren Allinson; don’t assume the same applies to every wholemeal bread.
How far in advance can I buy bread for Mother’s Day brunch?
Time your purchase according to the type of bread and the storage and preparation instructions on the packaging. The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 4 days, or in the freezer for 1 to 3 months. If the loaf still needs to be baked, you’ll also need time to defrost, bake and cool it.