Office lunchers who keep an eye on fibre
You regularly take sandwiches to work and want to compare the fibre content on the label, rather than relying on a dark colour or the term ‘multigrain’.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People who plan lunches in advance
You buy a whole loaf for several working days and want to know whether you can freeze it in portions, following the product instructions.
Label checkers
You check salt per 100 g, ingredients and allergen information because the bread’s composition matters to your household.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want a soft slice, a coarser texture or simply something convenient for several working days. Then compare the nutritional information for breads that suit the type of lunch you have in mind.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Read the wholemeal label and ingredients list; compare fibre per 100 g. | I want to know what’s in my everyday sandwich and don’t choose by colour alone. For around 37% of consumers, clearly labelled wholemeal bread with a suitable fibre content is the top priority. |
| Texture and ease of adding fillings | Check whether the bread’s shape and texture suit the filling you want to take with you. | A soft slice or a firmer bite makes all the difference to my lunch; around 27% of consumers give this practical preference priority. |
| Keeping bread fresh for the working week | Check the storage instructions and whether you can freeze the bread in portions. | If I buy a whole loaf for several working days, I don’t want to have to use it all at once. Around 18% of consumers give this kind of planning top priority. |
| Salt and allergens | Compare salt per 100 g and read the latest ingredients and allergen information. | I need to be able to check whether the ingredients suit my household, even when two loaves are both labelled wholemeal. For around 18% of consumers, this is the most important check. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal
Colour and visible seeds don’t, by themselves, tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal. Nor does ‘multigrain’ automatically describe the composition of the flour used.
Look for the wholemeal label and read the ingredients list of the bread you want to buy.
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Comparing a relative fibre claim with actual figures
A claim about higher fibre depends on which bread the manufacturer is comparing it with. It doesn’t give you a direct comparison with every other loaf.
To compare products, look at the nutritional values per 100 g side by side and check the current packaging.
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Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan
If you only have lunch at the office for a few days, you may not use a whole loaf in time. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days.
Check the product instructions and, if necessary, freeze portions for lunch as soon as you buy it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
AH Extra lang lekker Zaans volkoren heel is an example of a soft wholemeal loaf for everyday sandwiches.
- Albert Heijn lists 6,9 g of fibre and 0,9 g of salt per 100 g for this loaf.
- Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change; check the packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo Fijn Volkoren is a fine-textured wholemeal bread with nutritional values listed per 100 g.
- Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre and 1,00 g of salt per 100 g for this product.
- These values apply to Jumbo Fijn Volkoren, not all Jumbo breads.
ALDI
ALDI sells several wholemeal breads, including Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood and a multigrain variety.
- The varieties offer a choice of different bread textures.
- Compare the current nutritional values and ingredients of the individual loaf; a relative brand claim is no substitute for checking them.
Lidl
Lidl lists Fijn volkoren as an 800 g loaf, alongside other wholemeal varieties.
- Fijn volkoren is a familiar loaf shape for anyone who wants to take ordinary sandwiches to work.
- According to the product page, this particular item is only available in store.
PLUS
PLUS Boeren volkoren heel is an option if you’re buying a whole loaf for several lunches.
- PLUS says this loaf can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
- For this product, PLUS recommends using it within one month of freezing; follow the instructions on the packaging.
Dirk
Dirk lists products including Vloerbrood volkoren heel and Bakker van der Akker Boeren Extra vezels volkoren heel.
- These products offer different wholemeal bread styles to explore.
- Check the latest information for the loaf you choose rather than relying on the name of a different variety for its ingredients and nutritional values.
Products for different types of lunch
These Joybuy products offer different options for an office lunch: flatbread, crispbread and a round loaf that needs to be prepared before you eat it. If you’re specifically looking for fully wholemeal bread, check the packaging; these options aren’t interchangeable with ordinary sliced wholemeal bread.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat 6 P
Flatbread makes a change from sliced bread and can be served with fillings.
If these details are important to your choice, check the wholemeal label, flour ingredients and allergens on the latest packaging.
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g'woon Wholemeal Crispbread 375 g
This crispbread is a good choice if you’d prefer a crunchy base rather than soft slices for lunch.
It isn’t ordinary bread, so check the wholemeal label, types of flour and allergens on the packaging before choosing it as an alternative.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g
This round loaf is suited to anyone who can prepare lunch in advance, rather than someone who needs a slice ready for toppings straight away.
According to the product information, the loaf needs to be defrosted, baked and cooled before slicing. Also check the types of flour on the packaging and the unit used for any nutritional values before comparing them with other breads.
Frequently asked questions
Is dark or multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. Colour and the term ‘multigrain’ don’t, by themselves, prove that bread is wholemeal. Check the wholemeal label and ingredients list for the specific product.
Which nutritional values should I compare for my office lunch?
Compare fibre and salt on the same basis, preferably per 100 g, and also read the ingredients and allergen information. Albert Heijn lists 6,9 g of fibre and 0,9 g of salt per 100 g for AH Extra lang lekker Zaans volkoren heel; Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre and 1,00 g of salt per 100 g for Fijn Volkoren. These figures apply only to these products.
Can I freeze wholemeal bread for several working days?
Yes. If the instructions for your chosen bread allow it, you can freeze portions for future lunches. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it and says opened wholemeal bread can be kept in the freezer for 1–3 months. PLUS recommends using its Boeren volkoren heel within one month of freezing.
Does all wholemeal bread contain iodised salt?
You can’t assume this of every loaf; read the ingredients list for the variety you buy. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes bread as an important source of iodine because iodised baker’s salt is used in its preparation. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH Extra lang lekker Zaans volkoren heel.
Where can I check for gluten and other allergens?
Read the latest allergen information on the packaging of the individual loaf. The AH Extra lang lekker Zaans volkoren heel reviewed here lists cereals containing gluten and possible traces of, among other things, milk, sesame and soya; information for other products may differ.