Fibre-conscious eaters
You want to choose wholemeal bread for a dinner for two, so you compare product descriptions, ingredients and fibre per 100 g. The Voedingscentrum lists wholemeal bread as a type of bread that is high in fibre.
Who might find this choice useful?
Anyone who wants to share bread at the table
You’re looking for a whole loaf to go with your meal, or rolls you can serve in smaller portions. A pack of two wholemeal bake-at-home baguettes, as shown by Dirk, offers a different option from a whole hearth-baked loaf.
Anyone checking ingredients and allergens
You want to know in advance whether the exact product contains any ingredients or allergens that matter to you both. Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS provide product information for their breads; also check the current packaging, as recipes can change.
What should you look for?
First, decide how you want to serve the bread and how much you’ll need. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients of the options that suit your plans.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Read the product description and ingredients; compare fibre per 100 g on the labels of the specific breads. | If fibre is my top priority, I don’t want to rely on a dark colour or rustic name alone. An estimated 33% of consumers choosing wholemeal bread for a dinner like this put this check first. |
| Type of bread for the table | Choose a whole loaf, sliced bread or a smaller bake-at-home option to suit the meal and how you plan to serve it. | For a meal to share, I want bread that looks inviting on the table, even if a whole loaf is more than we need. Around 27% of consumers put the type of bread first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current allergen information for the exact product, and check the ingredients if its iodine content is relevant to you. | If an ingredient or allergen matters to us, I need to be able to check the label before serving the bread. This is estimated to be the main consideration for 20% of consumers. |
| Quantity and leftovers | Check the size and number of pieces; follow the storage instructions if you want to keep or freeze the bread. | If we’re only having a few portions, I want to avoid having a lot left over. That’s why around 20% of consumers prioritise buying the right quantity. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a rustic or multigrain name means the bread is wholemeal
Multigrain and wholemeal are different product descriptions. A dark colour, seeds or an artisan-style name don’t tell you on their own which type of flour was used.
Look for an explicit wholemeal description and read the ingredients of the bread you plan to buy.
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Buying a whole loaf without a plan for leftovers
A whole loaf may be more than two people need for dinner. The Voedingscentrum lists bread among the foods that are often wasted.
Consider a half loaf or a smaller pack. If you want to freeze leftovers, follow the product’s storage instructions.
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Assuming the word wholemeal means the bread is allergen-free
The word wholemeal doesn’t mean that bread is free from gluten or other allergens. Ingredients and the risk of cross-contact vary from one product to another.
Check the current allergen information on the packaging of the exact bread, even if you’ve bought a different version from the same brand before.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
AH Vloerbrood volkoren heel is an option to consider if you’d like to serve a whole loaf at the table.
- Albert Heijn describes this version as having a crisp crust and lists more than 6 g of fibre per 100 g.
- These details don’t necessarily apply to other AH breads; check the current packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo Fijn Volkoren is worth considering if you’re looking for finely sliced wholemeal bread for topped bites.
- Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g for this product.
- Jumbo lists wheat, barley and gluten among the allergens; check the other information on the current packaging too.
Lidl
Lidl’s rustic wholemeal wheat sourdough is worth a look if you specifically want to serve a sourdough option.
- The product description specifies both wholemeal wheat and sourdough.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and preparation or storage instructions on each pack.
ALDI
ALDI offers several types of wholemeal bread, including whole and half loaves of finely milled wholemeal bread.
- A half loaf gives you a different quantity option from a whole loaf.
- Read the product description for each option separately; multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal.
PLUS
PLUS Boeren volkoren heel is a specific whole loaf you can compare if you want to share bread at the table.
- PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g for this product.
- PLUS notes that ingredients and allergen information may change; check the current packaging for the latest details.
Dirk
At Dirk, you can explore options including a wholemeal batard or wholemeal bake-at-home baguettes.
- Dirk offers a pack of two wholemeal baguettes with a total weight of 300 g.
- With bake-at-home bread, follow the preparation instructions and check that the number of pieces suits your meal.
Products for different bread occasions
These Joybuy products offer different options for a dinner for two: bread to share, a whole round loaf, and rye bread or crispbread to serve individually. Check the product description and packaging for each option; not every type is the same as a wholemeal loaf to put on the table.
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Souq Lebanese wholemeal bread, 6 pieces
A style of bread that can be cut into pieces and served with dips or as part of a meal to share.
The pack contains 6 pieces. Check the current ingredients and allergen information before serving.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 550 g
A round loaf for anyone who wants to serve a whole loaf with dinner.
The loaf weighs 550 g and needs to be defrosted and baked. Follow the preparation instructions and check the allergens on the packaging.
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TastyBasics rye bread, 9 pieces
A rye bread option if you’d like to serve the bread in individual pieces.
The pack contains 9 pieces. If it’s important to you that the bread is explicitly described as wholemeal, check the exact product name and read the allergen information.
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g'woon Wholemeal Crispbread, 375 g
A crunchy option for small topped bites, rather than a soft or rustic loaf to share.
The pack contains 375 g. Check the ingredients and allergens for this product on the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Which wholemeal bread should I serve for a dinner for two?
Choose a style and quantity to suit the meal and how much you expect to eat: a whole loaf to share at the table, sliced bread for topped bites, or a smaller pack if a whole loaf would be too much. For each option, check the product description if wholemeal is an important requirement for you.
Should I check for allergens in wholemeal bread?
Yes. Wholemeal doesn’t mean allergen-free. For example, Jumbo lists wheat, barley and gluten in its Fijn Volkoren; read the full allergen information on the current packaging before serving.
Does baker’s salt mean that every loaf contains the same amount of iodine?
No. The rules for baker’s salt don’t mean that every loaf contains the same amount of iodine. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may only be added to bread and other specified bakery products through baker’s salt. If this matters to your choice, check the ingredients of the specific product.
How can I avoid leftovers after dinner?
Choose a half loaf, rolls or a smaller pack if you’re unlikely to finish a whole loaf. If you want to freeze the rest, follow the storage instructions for your chosen product; PLUS recommends freezing its Boeren volkoren heel on the day of purchase.