Who is this relevant to?

Shoppers keeping an eye on their grocery budget

You’re looking for a wholemeal loaf to serve with pea soup and want to factor in its weight and how much you’ll actually eat.

Shoppers comparing nutritional information

You want to check that the bread is labelled wholemeal and compare its fibre and salt content per 100 g. The ingredients and allergens in the specific loaf matter to you, too.

Smaller households looking to store bread

You won’t eat a whole loaf straight away, so you check the storage instructions. Albert Heijn and PLUS advise that the loaves mentioned here can be frozen on the day of purchase.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the wholemeal labelling and loaf weight. Then decide which nutritional information, texture and storage options matter most for your pea soup meal.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Loaf weight and how much you’ll use Compare the weights of whole loaves and think about how many slices you’ll eat or store. If I’m buying bread for one pea soup meal, I don’t want to be left with slices I won’t use. Making the most of the whole loaf is the top priority for around 40% of shoppers.
Wholemeal labelling and nutritional information Read the wholemeal description and ingredients; compare fibre and, if relevant, salt per 100 g. I want to know whether the bread I choose really is wholemeal and be able to compare its nutritional values. Around 30% of shoppers put these checks first.
Crust and crumb Choose the texture you prefer, and check the wholemeal labelling separately. With pea soup, I might prefer a fine slice or a more pronounced crust. This preference is the main consideration for around 20% of shoppers.
Storage Check the storage and freezing advice for the specific loaf. I want to be able to eat the remaining slices later. For around 10% of shoppers, reducing bread waste is the main priority.

Common mistakes

  • Comparing whole loaves without checking their weight

    Two whole loaves may not weigh the same. For one of the products mentioned here, PLUS lists Boeren volkoren heel as weighing 800 g.

    Check the weight of the loaves you’re considering and compare like with like.

  • Assuming all wholemeal breads have the same nutritional values

    Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g for Fijn Volkorenbrood; Albert Heijn lists 6,7 g per 100 g for AH Tijger volkoren heel. Ingredients and allergens also vary from one product to another.

    When you buy your loaf, check the nutritional information and ingredients on its packaging.

  • Buying more bread than you can use in time

    The Voedingscentrum lists bread as a product that is often wasted. Storage is worth thinking about if you’ll only eat some of a whole loaf with your soup.

    Check the freezing advice for your chosen loaf and freeze portions if needed. For the loaves mentioned here, Albert Heijn and PLUS advise freezing them on the day of purchase and using them within one month.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Tijger volkoren heel is a wholemeal loaf with a tiger-style crust.

  • Albert Heijn lists 6,7 g of fibre per 100 g and iodised salt for this loaf.
  • Check the current packaging, as product information can change.

Jumbo

Fijn Volkorenbrood is a whole loaf for anyone who prefers a fine crumb.

  • Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre and 1,0 g of salt per 100 g for this loaf.
  • The ingredients include wheat and barley, among other things; check the label of the variant you choose.

Lidl

Tijgervolkoren heel vloerbrood is a shop-baked loaf for anyone looking for this type of bread.

  • Lidl describes this product as a whole tiger wholemeal floor-baked loaf.
  • Check the loaf’s weight, ingredients and nutritional information in store.

ALDI

Boeren volkoren meergranen heel is a type of bread made with grains and seeds.

  • ALDI describes grains and seeds as features of this particular loaf.
  • Check the packaging for the loaf’s weight, ingredients and nutritional values.

PLUS

PLUS Boeren volkoren heel is a whole loaf weighing 800 g.

  • PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g for this loaf, and advises freezing it on the day of purchase.
  • This information applies to Boeren volkoren heel and not necessarily to other PLUS loaves.

Dirk

Bakker van der Akker Rond volkoren heel is a round, wholemeal loaf in Dirk’s range.

  • Its round shape sets this loaf apart.
  • Check the packaging for the weight and nutritional information before comparing loaves.

Wholemeal bread on Joybuy

This 550 g round wholemeal loaf is an option if you’d like to serve bread with pea soup and have time to defrost and bake it.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

A round loaf to serve with pea soup, if you can allow time to defrost and bake it.

Weight: 550 g. Check the packaging for preparation instructions and nutritional values per 100 g.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether bread really is wholemeal?

Read the wholemeal description and ingredients on the packaging of the specific loaf. The Voedingscentrum defines wholegrain products as those made from the entire grain; the Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS loaves mentioned here list wholemeal wheat flour.

Does all wholemeal bread contain iodine?

Don’t assume that it does; check the ingredients of the loaf you choose. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for AH Tijger volkoren heel, while Jumbo and PLUS list bakers’ salt for the loaves mentioned here.

Can I freeze a whole loaf after my pea soup meal?

The product pages for AH Tijger volkoren heel and PLUS Boeren volkoren heel say that you can freeze the bread on the day of purchase and should use it within one month. For other loaves, follow the storage instructions on the packaging.

Which allergens should I check in these loaves?

Always check the allergen information for the bread you buy. Jumbo Fijn Volkorenbrood lists wheat and barley, among other things; PLUS Boeren volkoren heel lists wheat, barley and soya. Ingredients can also vary between different variants from the same brand.