Who is this choice relevant to?

Fans of generously topped sandwiches

You’re looking for a slice that suits the amount of topping you want to use. Compare loaf shapes, but ask how the bread is sliced if the thickness you want isn’t specified.

Online shoppers who check the label

You want to compare ingredients, allergens and nutritional values before ordering. For fibre and salt, compare the values per 100 g so differences in serving size don’t skew the comparison.

Shoppers who want to freeze their bread

You’re ordering bread to last several days and want to know how to store it. For the wholemeal loaves discussed here, Albert Heijn and PLUS recommend freezing them at home on the day of purchase. Check the advice for the loaf you choose.

What should you look for when ordering?

First, check that the bread is wholemeal and how it’s sliced. Then review the storage information and the label to make sure it suits your needs.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Slice thickness for generous toppings Look for ‘thick-sliced’, ‘unsliced’ or a slicing option; check what ‘whole’ means for this loaf. If I’m adding generous toppings, I want to know whether I’ll get sturdy slices or need to cut them myself. For around 40% of consumers mainly looking for this kind of bread, slice thickness comes first.
Storage and freezing Read the storage and freezing advice for the loaf you’ve chosen; check the packaging when it arrives. If I’m ordering bread to last several days, I want to know in advance how to store it. For around 30% of consumers who plan their food shop, this is the main priority.
Wholemeal and labelling Check that it’s labelled wholemeal, compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and read the current ingredients and allergen information. If the ingredients or allergens matter to my choice, I want to be able to check the label before ordering. For around 30% of consumers, this check is the main priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘whole’ means thick-sliced or unsliced

    For the Albert Heijn and PLUS loaves discussed here, ‘whole’ in the product name doesn’t confirm how the bread is sliced. Nor do ‘farmhouse loaf’, ‘country loaf’ or ‘batard’ indicate slice thickness.

    Look for an explicit slicing description or option. If there isn’t one, check before you order.

  • Mixing up nutritional values per slice and per 100 g

    A value per serving depends on the serving size. This can lead you to compare two loaves incorrectly if you only look at the value per slice.

    Compare fibre and salt per 100 g first, then consider the portion you eat.

  • Relying only on the online information if you have an allergy

    Ingredients and allergen information can change, so a product page you looked at earlier isn’t enough to assess the loaf you receive.

    Read the current packaging before use. If you have an allergy, don’t use a substitute loaf while the relevant information is unclear.

  • Assuming a product page means delivery is available

    A loaf you can view online may not be available for home delivery. Dirk doesn’t list a delivery service, and the Lidl farmhouse loaf discussed here is marked ‘in-store only’.

    Check whether delivery or collection is available for your chosen product at your location.

Relevant supermarkets to compare

Albert Heijn

The product page for AH Vloerbrood volkoren heel lists ingredients, allergens, nutritional values and storage information.

  • Albert Heijn lists 6,3 g of fibre and 0,65 g of salt per 100 g for this loaf.
  • The word ‘whole’ doesn’t confirm whether the loaf comes thick-sliced or unsliced.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists products including Fijn Volkoren Half and, as a separate product type, wholemeal bake-at-home rolls.

  • Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g for Fijn Volkoren Half.
  • ‘Fine’ doesn’t mean thick-sliced. Bake-at-home rolls also aren’t an alternative if you’re specifically looking for slices of bread.

PLUS

The page for PLUS Boeren volkoren heel includes ingredients, allergens, nutritional values and storage information.

  • PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g, as well as advice to freeze it at home on the day of purchase.
  • The product name doesn’t confirm the slice thickness; check the current product information and packaging.

Dirk

Dirk lists a wholemeal batard, a loaf shape you can compare if you’re looking for bread to top generously.

  • The batard gives you a different loaf shape to consider; the name alone doesn’t say how thick the slices are.
  • Dirk doesn’t list a delivery service, so it isn’t an option for home delivery.

Lidl

Lidl lists products including a tiger wholemeal farmhouse loaf, as well as information about the wholemeal bread range.

  • Product names give you a starting point for comparing loaf shapes.
  • The tiger wholemeal farmhouse loaf discussed here is marked ‘in-store only’; its page doesn’t confirm home delivery.

Joybuy loaves to slice yourself

These Lekhaven Bakkerij loaves are a good fit if you want to slice the bread yourself once it’s prepared. Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling. Slicing it yourself doesn’t guarantee that each slice will be sturdy enough for generous toppings.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g x 2

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g x 2

For anyone who wants to choose the slice thickness after preparing the bread.

This pack contains two 550 g loaves. Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling; check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the current packaging.

View at Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

For anyone who’d rather choose their own slice thickness after baking.

This loaf is listed as 550 g. It needs to be defrosted, baked and cooled; check the baking time on the packaging, as the available preparation instructions vary.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘wholemeal bread, whole’ mean I’ll get thick or unsliced bread?

No. The word ‘whole’ in the product name doesn’t tell you how it’s sliced. Check whether the shop specifies ‘thick-sliced’, ‘unsliced’ or a slicing option, and ask if the slicing details aren’t clear.

How can I check online whether bread is wholemeal?

Look for the wholemeal description in the product information, then check the packaging when it arrives. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the label on packaged bread; a brown colour or the term ‘multigrain’ alone isn’t enough to confirm it’s wholemeal.

What should I check on wholemeal bread if allergens are important?

Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact loaf you choose, including any mentions of wheat or other gluten-containing cereals. Check the current packaging again when it arrives, even if you’ve already read the online information.

Can I freeze wholemeal bread ordered online?

That depends on the bread and its storage instructions. For AH Vloerbrood volkoren heel and PLUS Boeren volkoren heel, Albert Heijn and PLUS say they can be frozen at home on the day of purchase. Follow the current instructions on the packaging for your loaf.