Households keeping an eye on fibre
You want to choose wholemeal bread for your holiday home without relying on its brown colour or the ‘multigrain’ label. Compare the fibre content in the nutritional information, too.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Small groups and short stays
You’re looking for an amount that suits your breakfast and lunch plans. A half loaf, or bread you can freeze in portions, can help you waste less.
Households with dietary requirements or allergies
You need to check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. Standard wholemeal bread made with wheat, rye or barley is not gluten-free.
What should you look for?
Start by looking for the wholemeal label, then choose an amount that suits you and check the information that matters to your group before buying.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare fibre per 100 g or for equivalent portions. | When I buy bread for breakfast, I want to be able to tell whether it’s genuinely wholemeal and how much fibre it contains. Around 46% of consumers put this first. |
| Quantity and storage | Compare whole and half loaves with the number of people eating, and check whether you can freeze any portions you don’t use. | For a short stay, I don’t want to be left with most of an opened loaf. The right quantity matters most to around 36% of consumers. |
| Dietary requirements and labelling | Read the ingredients and allergen information; if needed, check for a gluten-free label or a mention of baker’s salt. | If someone at the table needs to avoid certain ingredients, checking the packaging comes before my preference for loaf size or fibre. Around 18% of consumers give top priority to dietary, allergen or iodine information. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming brown or multigrain bread is wholemeal
The colour and grains on the crust don’t tell you whether the bread is made with wholemeal flour. According to Albert Heijn, ‘wholemeal’ on bread means it is made with 100% wholemeal flour.
Look for that label on the packaging, then compare the ingredients and fibre in the nutritional information.
-
Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan
For a small group, an opened loaf may be left out for longer than planned. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days.
Choose a smaller amount or freeze any unused slices in portions after buying.
-
Relying on an old product name when someone has allergies
Ingredients and allergen information can change, so an earlier order or product photo isn’t a substitute for checking the packaging.
Check the current label every time you buy if someone in your group needs to avoid certain ingredients.
-
Assuming the type of bread tells you whether it contains iodine
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory. So ‘wholemeal’ or ‘organic’ on its own doesn’t tell you whether baker’s salt has been used.
If this matters to your choice, look for a mention of baker’s salt on the label or ask the baker.
Supermarkets to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s online range includes whole and half wholemeal loaves, as well as wholemeal hearth bread.
- The sizes shown give you options for groups of different sizes.
- Check the packaging for the loaf you choose and confirm it’s available at the relevant store.
Jumbo
Jumbo is a supermarket option for shopping during your stay in a holiday home.
- You can factor the bread range at your chosen store into your shopping plans.
- Check the local range and the label on the bread you want to buy.
Lidl
Lidl lists a half loaf of extra wholemeal bread among its in-store products.
- A half loaf could suit a short stay or a small group.
- Check availability in store and read the information on the packaging.
ALDI
ALDI’s bread range includes wholemeal bread in both whole and half sizes.
- You can choose a size to suit the number of people eating bread.
- Compare the nutritional values and ingredients for each variety; features of one loaf don’t automatically apply to others.
PLUS
PLUS has an online category that includes whole and half wholemeal loaves.
- The sizes shown make it possible to choose an amount that suits your stay.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, especially if you need a gluten-free option.
Dirk
Dirk’s bread range includes several types of wholemeal bread.
- You can compare the type and size of loaf with your breakfast and lunch plans.
- Check the range at your chosen store and read the packaging for the variety you’re considering.
Bread and bread alternatives at Joybuy
These products offer different options for self-catering in a holiday home: whole loaves to bake at home, individually served flatbreads and crispbread as an alternative to fresh bread. Choose based on the number of people eating, the appliances available and the current packaging.
No image available
Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g
A whole loaf for a group planning to eat bread over several meals. Check whether the holiday home has an oven: this bread needs to be defrosted and baked.
Check the baking time on the packaging. If fibre content matters to your choice, compare it using the current nutritional information.
No image available
Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
This flatbread could be a good fit if you want to serve bread individually without baking it first. It’s a different style of bread from a whole or pre-sliced loaf.
If anyone has dietary requirements or allergies, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.
No image available
Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g
A pack of two whole loaves could work well if several people eat bread and you have enough freezer space. The loaves need to be defrosted and baked before serving, so check that there’s an oven available.
Follow the baking time on the packaging. This amount may be more than you need for a small group or a short stay.
No image available
g'woon Wholemeal Crispbread 375 g
This wholemeal crispbread is an alternative if you don’t want to store fresh bread. It won’t have the same shape or texture as a fresh wholemeal loaf.
Check the storage instructions after opening and, if anyone has allergies, read the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is brown or multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. The colour and the ‘multigrain’ label aren’t enough to tell you. According to Albert Heijn, ‘wholemeal’ on bread means it is made with 100% wholemeal flour. Look for that label on the packaging rather than judging by colour alone.
How long can I store opened wholemeal bread in a holiday home?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days, or in the freezer for 1–3 months. Freeze any bread you won’t use soon in portions, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging, too.
Is bread in the Netherlands always made with baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. If its use matters to your choice, check the label or ask the baker; don’t assume based on the ‘wholemeal’ or ‘organic’ label.
Can I choose standard wholemeal bread if someone needs to eat gluten-free?
Standard wholemeal bread made with wheat, rye or barley isn’t gluten-free. Look for a product clearly labelled as gluten-free and check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
Should I check allergens again if I’m buying the same bread?
Yes. Check the current packaging every time you buy if someone in your group needs to avoid certain ingredients. PLUS notes that product ingredients and allergen information can change.