If you like a generous amount of savoury topping
With a whole loaf, you can choose how thick to cut the slices to suit the toppings you want to use. Also check the nutritional information for the specific loaf you choose.
Who might find slicing their own bread useful?
If you want to compare labels
If bread is a regular feature at your breakfast table, fibre, salt, ingredients and allergens may matter as much as texture. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides average values for wholemeal bread; compare the values per 100 g on the packaging before you buy.
If you spread a loaf over several breakfasts
You can cut a whole loaf into handy portions and freeze them if you won’t use it up quickly. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide, wholemeal bread can be kept in the freezer for 1–3 months.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you mainly want to choose the slice thickness yourself, compare nutritional information or divide the loaf between several breakfasts. For wholemeal bread for a savoury breakfast, what matters most will help you choose between a whole and a pre-sliced loaf.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness and texture | Check whether the loaf is whole or sliced. Choose ‘coarse’ for the texture, not as a promise of thick slices. | When I’m having a generous amount of savoury topping, I want to cut the slices to my preferred thickness. For around 42% of consumers, having that choice is the priority. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and read the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen. | When I eat bread regularly with a savoury breakfast, I want to know exactly what’s in it. Around 33% of consumers prioritise comparing labels. |
| Portions and storage | Choose an amount of bread that suits your breakfasts and check the storage and freezing instructions. | If I don’t have bread for breakfast every day, I only want to defrost what I need. Dividing it into portions and storing it is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Taking ‘coarse’ to mean ‘thickly sliced’
A coarse bread texture doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. For example, PLUS lists cracked wheat as an ingredient in Coarse wholemeal, whole; ‘whole’ is the label that tells you that you can slice it yourself.
Look for a whole loaf if slice thickness is a deciding factor. Consider ‘coarse’ separately as a choice of texture.
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Relying on the word ‘wholemeal’ alone
Nutritional information and allergens can vary from one loaf to another. PLUS’s product information for Coarse wholemeal, whole lists wheat, barley and soya, among other ingredients.
Compare nutritional values on the same basis, per 100 g, and read the current ingredients and allergen information for the variety you choose.
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Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan
If you only have bread for breakfast occasionally, a whole loaf could dry out or go stale before you finish it.
Divide the loaf into portions you’ll actually use and freeze the rest in good time. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide says wholemeal bread can be kept in the freezer for 1–3 months.
Brands to consider
Within each range, look out for the difference between whole and sliced bread. A brand name alone won’t tell you how thick the slices are or what’s on the label for a particular variety.
Albert Heijn
AH Extra Long-lasting Zaans wholemeal, whole is a wholemeal wheat loaf that you can slice yourself.
- For this variety, Albert Heijn lists more than 6 g of fibre and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g, and iodised salt in the ingredients.
- Check the current packaging before using these values or ingredients to help you decide.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range overview lists several wholemeal breads, including fine wholemeal and dark wholemeal multigrain bread.
- The overview helps you find types of bread you may want to look into further.
- Open the page for your chosen variety to see whether it’s whole or sliced, and to compare ingredients and nutritional information.
Lidl
Lidl has featured Tiger wholemeal wholemeal tin bread as a whole loaf.
- The ‘whole’ label is useful if you want to slice the loaf yourself.
- This product was shown as part of a limited-time in-store offer; check current availability and the loaf’s label.
ALDI
ALDI lists Extra high-fibre wholemeal bread as a whole loaf and describes Farmer’s wholemeal multigrain as sliced bread.
- This distinction helps you choose between deciding the slice thickness yourself and the convenience of pre-sliced bread.
- Don’t assume a nutritional claim for one variety applies to all ALDI bread; check the label of the product you choose.
PLUS
PLUS Coarse wholemeal, whole combines a whole loaf with a coarser texture; its ingredients include cracked wheat.
- For this variety, PLUS lists 6.8 g of fibre and 1.01 g of salt per 100 g.
- ‘Coarse’ doesn’t specify slice thickness. Also check the current allergen information if it matters to your choice.
Dirk
At Dirk, you can search specifically for a wholemeal loaf if you want to slice it yourself.
- Look for the ‘whole’ format to identify the varieties that suit you.
- Check the ingredients and nutritional information for your chosen loaf on its individual product page or packaging.
Wholemeal bread to slice yourself at Joybuy
These round wholemeal loaves are designed to be sliced once they’ve been defrosted, baked and cooled. They’re suitable if you want to choose the thickness yourself for savoury toppings, but not if you want a ready-to-top slice of bread straight away.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal loaf, 550 g × 2
For anyone who wants to choose the slice thickness to suit savoury toppings. This variety contains two round loaves of 550 g each.
The bread is stored frozen and unbaked. Defrost, bake and allow it to cool before slicing. Follow the baking instructions on the packaging for the cooking time.
Before buying, compare the nutritional values per 100 g and the current ingredients and allergen information on the label.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal loaf, 550 g
For anyone who wants to slice a round loaf to suit their savoury toppings. This variety is listed as 550 g.
This loaf is also unbaked: defrost it, bake it and leave it to cool before slicing. Check the packaging for the baking time.
Check the current label for this variety for nutritional values per 100 g, ingredients and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘coarse wholemeal’ mean the bread is thickly sliced?
No. For bread, ‘coarse’ refers to the texture, not a set slice thickness. For example, PLUS lists cracked wheat as an ingredient in Coarse wholemeal, whole. Choose a whole loaf if you want to decide how thick to slice it yourself.
How can I tell whether my wholemeal bread contains iodised salt?
Check the ingredients list for the specific loaf for a mention of iodised salt or baker’s salt. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for AH Extra Long-lasting Zaans wholemeal, whole; don’t assume the same ingredient is listed for every wholemeal loaf.
How should I store a whole loaf if I don’t have bread for breakfast every day?
Divide the loaf into portions and freeze any you won’t use within a few days. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread can be kept for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and for 1–3 months in the freezer. Also follow the storage and preparation instructions for the product you choose.
How can I compare the salt in bread for a savoury breakfast?
First compare the salt content of different loaves per 100 g, and also consider the toppings you use when choosing. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 0.48 g of salt for a 50 g slice of wholemeal bread cut at home; PLUS lists 1.01 g per 100 g for Coarse wholemeal, whole. Always use the label for your own loaf and the size of your slice to work out the exact amount.