If you’re making sandwiches in advance
If you’re making and packing sandwiches for several people, sliced bread is easy to portion. Check that it’s labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g on the label.
Which bread shape works best for you?
If you want to share the bread in the park
You can slice and share a wholemeal baguette when you get there. It’s less convenient if you want to prepare evenly filled, compact sandwiches at home.
If you prefer a finer texture
If you find coarser bread less enjoyable, fine wholemeal bread may be worth considering. ‘Fine’ describes the texture, so check that these breads are labelled wholemeal and review their nutritional information too.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’ll fill the bread at home or share it when you get there. Then compare the labels of the bread shapes that suit your plans.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare fibre per 100 g; colour and seeds are no substitute for that label. | I want to know whether all the grain in my picnic bread is wholemeal and how much fibre the product contains. For around 33% of consumers, this reassurance comes first. |
| Shape and storage | Choose sliced bread for sandwiches made in advance, or a shareable shape for eating on the spot. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. | If I’m making sandwiches at home, I want them to be easy to portion and convenient to take with me. This convenience matters most to around 27% of consumers. |
| Fine texture | Check whether the specific bread is described as fine or soft, and also check that it’s labelled wholemeal. | We don’t enjoy coarse sandwiches, so I’m looking for a finer-textured wholemeal option. A fine texture is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Salt and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information. Check the type of salt if iodised salt matters to your choice. | Before buying, I want to check the ingredients and allergens in the bread, as well as which salt has been used. For around 20% of consumers, checking the label comes before their other preferences. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking dark or multigrain bread for wholemeal
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a product can only be called wholemeal if 100% of its grain ingredient is wholemeal flour. Colour and seeds don’t prove this.
Look for the wholemeal label, then compare the nutritional information of the breads you’re considering.
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Assuming all bread contains iodised salt
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre states that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt with iodine.
Check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask which type of salt has been used if it matters to your choice.
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Applying a claim about one loaf to all wholemeal breads
For one of its extra-fibre wholemeal breads, ALDI compares the amount of fibre and salt with ordinary wholemeal bread. This doesn’t necessarily apply to other varieties.
Compare the values per 100 g on the labels of the specific breads you want to buy.
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Taking more bread than you can use
The shape of the bread and the number of people eating determine how much you’ll need for your picnic. Bread can also dry out while it’s being stored.
Plan your portions in advance, follow the storage instructions on the packaging and, if necessary, freeze bread in portions for later.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
AH Rond wholemeal loaf is an example to consider if you want to compare product information for a whole loaf.
- For this product, Albert Heijn lists the ingredients, allergens, fibre, salt and storage information.
- Product information can change, so check the current label before buying.
ALDI
ALDI describes both a sliced fine wholemeal loaf and a separate extra-fibre wholemeal bread.
- These two varieties offer different ways to compare texture and nutritional information.
- ALDI’s comparison of fibre and salt for its extra-fibre bread applies to that specific product, not the whole range.
Lidl
Lidl describes a wholemeal kids’ bread made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
- This range is worth considering if a less coarse texture matters to your group.
- Lidl says this bread tastes like brown bread; that description doesn’t necessarily apply to other fine wholemeal breads.
PLUS
PLUS Korenlanders wholemeal baguette is an example of bread you can slice and share during a picnic.
- For this variety, PLUS lists the ingredients, allergens, fibre and salt.
- A baguette is less practical if you want to pack evenly filled sandwiches in advance.
Dirk
Dirk lists, among other products, a wholemeal batard and a separate extra-fibre wholemeal bread.
- The different bread shapes give you a starting point for choosing how to serve bread at your picnic.
- Check the label for each variety before drawing conclusions about its ingredients, nutritional value or texture.
Bread to share on Joybuy
This wholemeal flatbread is an option if you want to share bread during your picnic. It’s a different shape from a whole sliced loaf for making sandwiches in advance.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
A flatbread to share during your picnic, instead of preparing filled sandwiches in advance.
Check the packaging for the ingredients, allergens and type of salt if this information matters to your choice.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if bread is genuinely wholemeal?
Look for the wholemeal label. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that a product carrying this label must contain 100% wholemeal flour as its grain ingredient. Check the fibre, salt and allergens on the label separately.
Does all wholemeal bread contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt with iodine. Check the ingredients list, or ask which salt has been used if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
How should I store wholemeal bread for a picnic?
Follow the date and storage instructions on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says wholemeal bread keeps for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1 to 3 months in the freezer; freezing it for longer may make the bread drier. Freezing it in portions makes it easier to take out only what you need.
Can I take a wholemeal baguette if someone needs to avoid allergens?
Choose a specific wholemeal baguette only after checking its allergen information. PLUS lists several gluten-containing grains and the possible presence of other allergens for its Korenlanders wholemeal baguette. This information doesn’t automatically apply to other breads.
Is fine wholemeal bread the same as extra-fibre wholemeal bread?
No. For the breads described here, ‘fine’ refers to the texture, while the amount of fibre is a separate product value. Choose based on texture if that’s the deciding factor for your picnic group, and compare fibre per 100 g if fibre content matters most.