Who is this choice relevant to?

The fibre-conscious snack-table planner

You want to replace white bread with wholemeal bread for some snacks, without changing the whole meal. Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ rather than judging by the colour of the bread.

The practical snack-maker

You want to be able to top, toast and share bread among a group quickly. A sliced whole or half loaf gives you portions you can prepare straight away; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, you can freeze any leftovers in portions.

The label and allergen checker

You’re also buying for someone for whom ingredients, allergens or salt are key considerations. Check the information for the specific variety. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for unpackaged bread must also be available before purchase.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether the bread really needs to be wholemeal. Then choose a shape that suits your snacks, and check the packaging if ingredients, allergens or salt matter to your guests.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Genuinely wholemeal Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and check the ingredients list if you’re unsure. A brown colour or a multigrain name doesn’t mean the same thing. I mainly want to know whether I’m serving wholemeal bread, even if I’m also serving other snacks. Around 33% of consumers make this their priority when choosing.
Serving and portioning Check whether the bread is already sliced, and whether a whole loaf, half loaf or individual portions will suit your plans. If I’m making lots of little snacks, I want to be able to portion the bread without much cutting. For around 25% of consumers, serving convenience matters most.
Texture and presentation Choose the type of bread you want to serve, such as slices, an artisan loaf, a baguette or rolls; check separately whether that variety is wholemeal. For dips or toppings, I want the crust, texture and shape to suit the snack table. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers.
Label and allergens Read the current ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details, including the salt content. For unpackaged bread, ask about allergens before buying. If I need to cater for a particular guest, being sure about the chosen variety comes before the shape of the bread. Around 17% of consumers give this check top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark or multigrain bread is automatically wholemeal

    The colour and the presence of seeds don’t tell you whether the bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, brown bread contains both wholemeal flour and white flour.

    If you want wholemeal bread, look for the product description and check the ingredients list if you’re unsure.

  • Applying a claim about one variety to other breads

    A claim about extra fibre or less salt applies to the product it appears on, not automatically to other wholemeal breads.

    Compare the current nutritional information for the varieties you’re considering, using the same quantity as your basis.

  • Buying more bread than you can use

    A whole loaf may not be practical if only some of your guests eat bread.

    Choose an amount that suits your snack table. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions soon after purchase if you won’t use it straight away.

  • Checking allergens only on packaged bread

    Allergen information matters for unpackaged bread too. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information must be available before purchase.

    For packaged bread, read the label for the variety you’ve chosen; for unpackaged bread, ask about allergen information before buying.

Brands to explore

Bread shapes vary across ranges and varieties. Use these brand names as a starting point for comparing product information, rather than as a judgement on everything a retailer sells.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s online range includes wholemeal bread and wholemeal baguettes, among other options.

  • You can compare different types of bread online.
  • Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change, so check the current packaging.

Lidl

Lidl’s range includes tiger-style wholemeal artisan loaves and rustic wholemeal sourdough, among other options.

  • The product names can help you find the type of bread you’re looking for.
  • Check the latest product information and availability before counting on a specific variety.

ALDI

ALDI’s range includes fine wholemeal bread and a separate extra-high-fibre wholemeal variety.

  • The varieties give you a choice of different product descriptions and bread shapes.
  • According to ALDI, its specific extra-high-fibre variety contains more fibre and less salt than standard wholemeal bread. Don’t assume this claim applies to other varieties; check their individual labels.

PLUS

PLUS’s online range includes Boeren volkoren and Rond fijn volkoren, among other options.

  • The product pages are a useful starting point for comparing varieties.
  • PLUS notes that product information may change. Check the packaging if nutritional values or allergens are important.

Dirk

Dirk’s range includes wholemeal artisan loaves, wholemeal batards and an extra-fibre variety from Bakker van der Akker, among other options.

  • These shapes offer ideas for different ways to serve bread.
  • Check any extra-fibre claim against the specific variety and its nutritional information.

Bread for your snack table at Joybuy

If you’re serving dips at your snack table, this Lebanese wheat bread offers an alternative to sliced wholemeal bread. Check the packaging to see whether its ingredients meet your wholemeal requirements.

Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat 6 P

Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat 6 P

Consider this Lebanese bread if you’d like to serve bread with dips alongside your snacks. The product name specifies Whole Wheat and the 6 P variety; before buying, check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging, especially if wheat, soya or milk are relevant to your guests.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is brown bread the same as wholemeal bread?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, whereas brown bread is made from a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour. So look for the word ‘wholemeal’, not just the colour.

How do I check allergens in bread from the bakery counter?

For unpackaged bread, ask about allergen information before buying. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information must be available. For prepacked bread, check the label for the specific variety.

What should I do with bread left over after snack night?

Freeze bread you won’t use straight away in portions, and take out only what you need later. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread for this purpose soon after purchase.

Can I assume that all bread contains iodised baker’s salt?

No. If baker’s salt is important to your choice, check the ingredients for the specific bread. The Dutch Bakery Centre describes the use of iodised baker’s salt as part of an agreement; don’t assume it’s used just because of the type of bread.