When choosing bread to serve with pea soup, first look for a product explicitly labelled ‘wholemeal’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. Then choose an amount to suit the number of people eating and decide what you’ll do with any leftovers. Check the latest ingredients and allergen information, and look for baker’s salt or iodised salt if you want to know whether the bread provides iodine.
For households who want to serve wholemeal bread with pea soup and don’t want to rely on colour or the label ‘multigrain’ alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that ‘wholemeal’ means bread made from 100% wholemeal flour.
For anyone who mainly eats bread with one bowl of soup and wants to decide whether half a loaf would be more suitable than a whole one. If you plan to keep the bread, check the storage instructions for the product you choose.
For anyone who wants to know whether a particular loaf contains baker’s salt or iodised salt, or needs to check the listed ingredients and allergens. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bakers use baker’s salt.
Start with the ‘wholemeal’ label, then choose an amount to suit your soup meal, and finally check the label on the specific loaf.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging or in the product name. When comparing wholemeal loaves, check the fibre content per 100 g. | I want bread with my pea soup that’s genuinely wholemeal, rather than judging by its dark colour. For around 50% of consumers, this assurance comes first. |
| Suitable quantity | Compare whole and half loaves by size, and check the storage instructions if you expect to have some left over. | If I only need bread for a small soup meal, I want to avoid having lots left over. The quantity takes priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information. Look for baker’s salt or iodised salt if the bread’s iodine content is relevant to your choice. | I want to know what’s in the bread before serving it with soup. That’s why around 20% of consumers prioritise checking the label. |
A dark colour or the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. For this choice, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says the ‘wholemeal’ label is what matters.
First check the product name or packaging for ‘wholemeal’, then compare the nutritional information of the loaves you’re considering.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. As a result, the amount of iodine can vary from one loaf to another.
Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt, or ask the baker about the loaf you’ve chosen.
If bread is only being served with one soup meal, a whole loaf may be more than your household needs.
Choose an amount to suit the number of people eating. If you want to keep the bread, follow the storage instructions for the product you’ve chosen.
Albert Heijn’s online range includes products such as AH Rond volkoren heel.
Jumbo lists several wholemeal breads, including whole and half loaves.
Lidl describes a range of fresh and packaged bread.
Alongside its regular wholemeal bread, ALDI describes an extra-high-fibre wholemeal option.
PLUS lists several wholemeal breads online, including whole and half loaves.
Dirk’s range includes products such as Boeren volkoren, Rond volkoren and Boeren Extra vezels volkoren.
Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging or in the product name. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; colour or the label ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t confirm this.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for the specific loaf or ask the baker if you want to know whether it contains baker’s salt or iodised salt.
A half loaf may be a better choice if you’re buying for a small soup meal and want to avoid leftovers. A whole loaf could suit you if you’re feeding more people or plan to use the remaining bread. Check the product’s storage instructions if you want to keep it for later.
Yes. Check the latest allergen information for the loaf you’ve chosen if any ingredients are relevant to someone eating it. Don’t assume what’s in the bread based on the ‘wholemeal’ label alone: products can contain different ingredients and allergens.
