Who is this choice for?

If you’re looking for bread for a special meal

If bread is going to be a centrepiece of your lunch or meal, pay attention to the crust, texture and flavour. With sourdough, check whether the specific variety is wholemeal too.

If you want to compare nutritional values

You’ll want to compare fibre and salt on a like-for-like basis. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives average figures of 3.4 g of fibre and 0.48 g of salt for a 50 g slice of wholemeal bread cut at home. Use the values for the loaf you choose when you shop.

If you want to avoid wasting bread

For your first shop, it’s useful to work out how much bread you’ll use over the next few days. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, opened wholemeal bread generally keeps for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and can be frozen for 1–3 months.

What should you look for?

For your first shop, decide whether the bread is mainly for a special meal or everyday sandwiches. Then compare the specific product’s nutritional information, ingredients and quantity.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal, fibre and salt Check that the bread is labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre and salt per 100 g for the loaves you’re considering. For my everyday sandwiches, I want to know what’s in the bread rather than judging it by its colour. Around 38% of consumers give this nutritional information top priority.
Flavour and texture Check the type of bread and whether a sourdough or rustic variety is actually wholemeal. If the bread is part of a special meal, the crust and texture are what matter most to me. Around 37% of consumers prioritise the experience of the meal.
Size and storage Choose a quantity that suits you and check whether you can freeze the bread in portions. After my first shop, I don’t want to be left with a whole loaf I can’t finish in time. Around 25% of consumers are most concerned about reducing waste.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough or rustic means wholemeal

    Those words alone don’t tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal.

    If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, check the label and ingredients for the exact product.

  • Assuming a product claim applies to all wholemeal bread

    Fibre and salt levels vary from product to product. A comparison for one loaf doesn’t apply to an entire range.

    Compare the nutritional information for the loaves you’re considering, using the figures per 100 g.

  • Guessing allergens from the name or appearance

    Wholemeal or sourdough bread can contain different gluten-containing cereals and other declared allergens.

    For packaged bread, read the label. For unpackaged bread, ask about allergen information before buying.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan

    A large loaf may go uneaten if you only have a few slices a day.

    Choose a suitable size or freeze the portions you’ll want to use later as soon as you get home.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Liefde & Passie Dutch Sourdough Wholemeal is a 600 g wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf which, according to Albert Heijn, is only available in store.

  • Albert Heijn lists 6.5 g of fibre and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g for this loaf, and includes iodised salt in the ingredients.
  • Check the current label, as ingredients, nutritional values and allergens may change.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes a range of sourdough breads that are freshly baked in store.

  • According to Jumbo, these loaves are left to rise for more than 24 hours with fresh sourdough starter.
  • This doesn’t mean that every variety listed is wholemeal; check the product you choose. Jumbo says these loaves aren’t available to order online.

ALDI

ALDI lists products including Extra High-Fibre Wholemeal Bread for shoppers who want to compare nutritional values.

  • According to ALDI, this specific loaf contains 30% more fibre and 30% less salt than regular wholemeal bread, using NEVO-Online 2021 7.0 as the basis for comparison.
  • That comparison doesn’t automatically apply to other ALDI breads; check the nutritional information for the product you choose.

PLUS

PLUS Korenlanders Little Wholemeal Sourdough Bread with Poppy Seeds is a smaller 300 g loaf.

  • PLUS lists 51% wholemeal wheat flour, 7.3 g of fibre and 1.02 g of salt per 100 g for this variety.
  • The product contains wheat, rye and barley. Check the label for any warnings about possible traces of other allergens too.

Lidl

Lidl lists products including Tiger Wholemeal Bloomer and Rustic Wholemeal Sourdough Bread.

  • Lidl publishes an ingredients and allergen overview for its freshly baked bread range.
  • Check which breads are available at your store and consult the latest information for that variety.

Dirk

Bakker van der Akker Farmer’s Wholemeal Loaf is one example of a whole loaf for everyday use at Dirk.

  • Dirk describes this variety as fresh wholemeal bread for breakfast or lunch.
  • For ingredients, allergens and nutritional values, check the latest product information or packaging.

Wholemeal breads for a meal on Joybuy

These round wholemeal loaves are a good choice if you’re looking for bread to serve with a meal. Choose between one loaf and a pack of two, depending on how much you want to use and store.

Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Round Wholemeal Bread, 550 g

A single round loaf for a meal you’ve planned. The loaf weighs 550 g.

Allow time for defrosting and baking; follow the instructions on the packaging. Also check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for this loaf.

View on Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal breads, two loaves of 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Round Wholemeal Bread, 2 × 550 g

Two round loaves for anyone planning several meals or wanting to store some bread. The pack contains two loaves, each weighing 550 g.

Allow time for defrosting and baking; follow the instructions on the packaging. Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for this variety.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough bread automatically wholemeal?

No. Check that the specific variety is labelled wholemeal and read the ingredients; a general description such as sourdough doesn’t confirm that every loaf is wholemeal.

Where can I find allergen information for unpackaged bread?

Ask at the bakery counter before buying if the information isn’t clearly displayed with the product. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, sellers of unpackaged food must tell customers about any allergens present, including which gluten-containing cereals or nuts are involved.

Can I assume that every wholemeal loaf contains iodised salt?

No. Check the ingredients for the specific loaf. For example, Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH Liefde & Passie Dutch Sourdough Wholemeal; don’t assume other breads have the same ingredients.

How should I store bread I won’t eat straight away?

Freeze portions if you won’t use a whole loaf within a few days. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says opened wholemeal bread generally keeps for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and for 1–3 months in the freezer.