Which option is right for you?

For those who like a generous topping

If you want a thicker slice for your coffee break, choosing a whole loaf lets you decide how thick to cut it. The shape of the loaf alone doesn’t tell you how sturdy a slice will be once it’s topped.

For label checkers

If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread and want to compare fibre, salt or allergens, the product description, ingredients and nutritional information matter more than the colour or crust.

For a quick serve

If you want to put the bread on the table without slicing it first, choose a sliced loaf. Check the slices themselves if a particular thickness matters to you.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether choosing the slice thickness yourself or serving the bread straight away is more important. Then check the label on the loaf you’re actually planning to buy.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important to?
Choosing the slice thickness yourself Check whether the loaf is whole and look at the cut yourself; ‘thick cut’ doesn’t specify a set size. I want to cut a thicker slice myself for generous toppings. Around 42% of consumers say having control over slice thickness is their top priority.
Wholemeal, nutritional information and allergens Read the product description and ingredients, including allergen information; compare fibre and salt per 100 g. If I’m specifically looking for wholemeal bread, I also want to know what’s in it. For around 33% of consumers, ingredients and label information matter most.
Serving quickly and storing the rest Check whether the loaf is sliced and read the storage advice on the packaging. I don’t want to have to slice bread before my coffee, and I want to know how to store what’s left. Convenience comes first for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark bread or a hearth loaf is wholemeal

    Colour, seeds and the shape of a loaf don’t, by themselves, tell you which types of flour have been used. A loaf with ‘wholemeal’ in its name may also contain other grains and ingredients.

    If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread, check the product description and ingredients list.

  • Assuming pre-sliced bread comes in thick slices

    Pre-sliced bread saves you the effort of cutting it, but the word ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are.

    Look at the slices in store, or choose a whole loaf if you want to decide the thickness yourself.

  • Assuming a nutrition claim applies to all wholemeal bread

    For one specific wholemeal loaf, ALDI compares the salt and fibre content with standard wholemeal bread, using NEVO-Online 2021 7.0. This comparison doesn’t describe every loaf on the shelf.

    Compare the nutritional information for the products you’re considering on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and check what any claim is based on.

  • Assuming every loaf contains iodised salt

    According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may only be added to bread via bakers’ salt. This doesn’t mean that every loaf contains iodised salt.

    If the type of salt used matters to you, check the ingredients list for the specific loaf.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH wholemeal hearth loaf, whole, is one example of a whole loaf you can slice yourself.

  • For this product, Albert Heijn lists more than 6 g of fibre per 100 g and sodium-reduced iodised sea salt.
  • Check the current packaging and decide for yourself how thick you want to cut the slices.

Jumbo

When choosing bread at Jumbo, the product description and label for each individual loaf are what matter.

  • Check whether the loaf is sold whole or sliced.
  • For ingredients, allergens and nutritional values, read the information for the product you’ve chosen.

Lidl

At Lidl, you can check the shape and ingredients of the bread in store.

  • Lidl offers options including fine wholemeal bread and rustic wholemeal sourdough.
  • For ingredients, allergens and nutritional values of food products, Lidl refers customers to the packaging.

ALDI

ALDI lists both a wholemeal loaf that’s especially high in fibre and a sliced fine wholemeal loaf.

  • The product format helps you choose between slicing it yourself and serving it straight away.
  • Neither the nutritional claims for the whole loaf nor the ‘sliced’ description for the fine wholemeal loaf specify slice thickness.

PLUS

PLUS Korenlanders Extra Dark Wholemeal Hearth Loaf, Whole, is one example of a whole loaf with nutritional information provided.

  • For this product, PLUS lists 7,2 g of fibre and 1,02 g of salt per 100 g.
  • Read the full ingredients and allergen information; this loaf also contains other grains and sesame.

Dirk

Dirk offers options including wholemeal loaves, a wholemeal hearth loaf sold whole and extra-fibre varieties.

  • With a whole loaf, you can cut the slices yourself.
  • Check the details for the specific product for its ingredients, allergens and slice thickness.

Whole loaves to slice yourself

These Joybuy products are whole, round wholemeal loaves that you slice yourself after baking. Allow time to defrost, bake and cool them before making slices for your coffee break.

Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 2 × 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 2 × 550 g

For anyone who wants to choose the slice thickness themselves; this pack contains two 550 g loaves. Defrost, bake and cool the bread before slicing, and check the nutritional information on the packaging before comparing fibre or salt.

View at Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 550 g

For anyone who wants to buy one whole loaf and slice it themselves. Defrost, bake and cool the bread before slicing, and check the nutritional information on the packaging before comparing fibre or salt.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is dark bread automatically wholemeal?

No, the colour doesn’t prove that a loaf is wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from the entire grain; for packaged bread, check the wholemeal description and ingredients list.

How do I choose a thick slice for my coffee break?

Choose a whole loaf if you want to decide the thickness yourself, or look at the slices of a pre-sliced loaf before you buy it. The word ‘sliced’ doesn’t specify a set thickness.

Does all Dutch wholemeal bread contain iodised salt?

That isn’t guaranteed by the Dutch rules on iodine in bread. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may only be added via bakers’ salt, with a maximum of 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. Check the ingredients list for the specific loaf.

Can I freeze a wholemeal loaf?

You can freeze loaves for which the manufacturer provides freezing advice. Albert Heijn gives this advice for AH wholemeal hearth loaf, whole; for other loaves, follow the storage and freezing instructions on the packaging.

Where can I find the ingredients and allergen information for Lidl bread?

Read the packaging for the specific loaf. Lidl refers customers to the packaging for food product ingredients; if you have questions about an item in store, ask for the relevant product information.