Wholemeal Bread: Whole Loaf, Half Loaf or Bake-at-Home?

Who are these options for?

The everyday bread eater

You often eat sandwiches with savoury fillings. A whole loaf is handy if it suits how much you eat; otherwise, a smaller size or freezing some is worth considering.

The shopper comparing wholemeal bread and fibre

You want to choose a wholemeal loaf and look beyond the colour of the crust. The product name, ingredients and fibre content per 100 g can help you compare different loaves.

The shopper with specific dietary or storage needs

You pay attention to ingredients, salt, baker’s salt or how you store your bread. In that case, check the information on the packaging of the variant you choose, as well as whether you’ll finish the loaf in time.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide which loaf size suits your breakfast habits. Then compare the product name, nutritional information and ingredients of the loaves you’re considering.

What to consider	What to check	Who is this for?
Size and how much you use	Compare a whole loaf with a half loaf, and check whether the product you choose is suitable for freezing.	If I often have bread for breakfast, I want to have enough at home without throwing away slices. Around 46% of consumers prioritise choosing the right loaf size.
Wholemeal bread and fibre	Read the product name and ingredients; compare fibre on the same basis, per 100 g.	For my regular breakfast sandwich, I want to know whether I’m really choosing wholemeal bread. Around 36% of consumers prioritise choosing wholemeal.
Ingredients and storage	Check the ingredients, nutritional information and storage instructions for the variant you choose.	If I need to watch out for certain ingredients or storage methods, I want to be able to check before buying. These requirements are the deciding factor for around 18% of consumers.

Common mistakes

Assuming every loaf contains iodised baker’s salt

According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt when baking bread is not compulsory in the Netherlands. So the type of bread alone won’t tell you whether it has been used.

If baker’s salt matters to you, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt, or ask about it when buying unpackaged bread.
Choosing a whole loaf without a storage plan

A whole loaf may not suit your routine if you only have bread for breakfast now and then and won’t finish it in time.

Choose a size that suits how much you use. If you want to freeze portions, follow the storage instructions for that specific loaf.

Brands and shops to explore

The bread range and product information vary by shop and by variant. So use the details for the loaf you actually intend to buy.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn provides online information about its own-brand bread, so you can check ingredients and nutritional information.

The AH Wholemeal whole loaf reviewed listed iodised salt and advice on freezing.
This specific loaf was listed as no longer available; check the details of another available variant separately.

Jumbo

Jumbo has an online product page for Fine Wholemeal Bread where you can check product information.

You can compare this bread’s nutritional information per 100 g with that of other loaves.
The variant reviewed contains wheat and barley; check the ingredients of the variant you choose.

Lidl

Lidl includes wholemeal bread in its range of freshly baked bread.

Visiting a store gives you the chance to see the bread on offer and check its product information.
Lidl says its range of freshly baked bread may vary by store.

ALDI

ALDI lists both a Fine Wholemeal whole loaf and a separate extra-high-fibre wholemeal variant.

For products that are available, you can check which wholemeal variant best suits your preference.
Don’t treat the standard variant and the extra-fibre variant as the same loaf; compare their labels separately.

PLUS

PLUS provides online information about its 800 g Farmhouse Wholemeal whole loaf.

PLUS says this specific loaf can be frozen on the day of purchase.
The product reviewed contains wheat, barley and soya, among other ingredients; check the packaging label.

Dirk

Dirk lists products including Bakker van der Akker Farmhouse Wholemeal whole loaf.

You can compare this wholemeal variant with other loaves available in your shop.
Check the product information for the loaf you buy; another wholemeal variant may have a different composition.

Bread products on Joybuy

These products may be worth considering if you’re also looking at a round loaf to bake at home or a rye bread product for a savoury breakfast. For both, check the product format and the preparation or storage instructions before choosing.

Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal loaf 550 g

An option if you’re looking for a round loaf and baking it at home fits your routine.

Allow time to thaw, bake and cool it according to the product instructions.

View on Joybuy

Bolletje rye bread bun 500 g

An option if you want to have a rye bread product with your savoury breakfast.

The product title mentions buns, while the description refers to sliced rye bread. If the format matters for your breakfast, check the packaging.