If you want to choose how thick the slices are for generous toppings on fakeaway night, choose a wholemeal loaf and slice it at home. Pre-sliced wholemeal bread or wholemeal toastie bread saves you some preparation, but labels such as ‘sliced’ and ‘coarse’ don’t tell you how thick or firm the slices are. So check the bread or its packaging, and make sure you also check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product.
If you want to cut thick slices yourself for an open sandwich or snack, a whole loaf lets you control the thickness. Also consider the bread itself: choosing a loaf labelled ‘whole’ doesn’t guarantee the firmness you’re looking for.
If you want to add toppings or toast your bread straight away, pre-sliced bread is a practical choice. Jumbo stocks options including wholemeal toastie bread; check the individual slices if their thickness matters to you.
If you want to know which grains, allergens and types of salt the bread contains, read the label on the exact product. The Albert Heijn bread we looked at lists iodised salt; PLUS lists ingredients including wheat, barley and soya for its Grof volkoren heel loaf.
First decide whether choosing the slice thickness yourself or being able to add toppings quickly matters more to you. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients of the loaves you’re considering for your meal.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness and toppings | Choose a whole loaf if you want to control the thickness yourself. Also check the crumb and how easy it is to slice; a label such as ‘coarse’ doesn’t specify a set slice thickness. | If I want to pile plenty of toppings onto an open sandwich, I want to slice the bread myself and see whether it suits what I’m making. Around 42% of consumers put this control over the bread base first. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check the product name and ingredients for wholemeal, and compare fibre content on the same basis, for example per 100 g. | I want to choose wholemeal bread for my fakeaway and compare the nutritional information of the different loaves I’m considering. This is the first thing around 25% of consumers weigh up. |
| Preparation time and type of bread | Check whether the bread is whole or sliced, and whether it needs any preparation before use. Check what’s currently available when you shop. | On a busy evening, I want to start adding toppings or toasting without having to slice the bread myself. Being able to use it straight away is the top priority for around 17% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and storage | Read the latest label for allergens, salt and any mention of iodised salt. Follow the storage instructions for the bread you choose. | If I need to avoid specific ingredients or want to keep some bread for later, I want to know what’s on the packaging and how to store it. Around 16% of consumers prioritise these checks. |
Slicing it yourself gives you control over the thickness, but not over how the crumb holds up under generous toppings.
Look at the bread before you buy it if possible, and don’t choose it based only on words such as ‘coarse’ or ‘stone-baked’.
The Albert Heijn wholemeal bread we looked at lists wheat and cereals containing gluten; PLUS Grof volkoren heel lists ingredients including wheat, barley and soya.
If you have an allergy or need to follow another dietary restriction, check the latest ingredients and allergen information for the bread you’re buying.
Albert Heijn and PLUS state that product information and ingredients may change.
Compare the online information with the packaging just before you buy, and check the bread you actually receive when it’s delivered.
A whole loaf gives you the option to slice it yourself, but you may have some slices left over. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises checking what you already have and storing food properly to help reduce waste.
Think about how many slices you’ll need, and follow the packaging instructions for storing any leftover bread.
Bread that you don’t use in time or store properly may go to waste.
Albert Heijn stocks products including AH OerDesem volkoren Allinson heel gesneden, a pre-sliced 800 g loaf.
Jumbo stocks a range of wholemeal breads, including fine, coarse and wholemeal toastie bread.
ALDI stocks products including fine wholemeal, boeren tijger volkoren and extra-fibre wholemeal bread.
PLUS stocks products including Grof volkoren heel, a loaf you can slice yourself.
Dirk stocks products including a wholemeal whole loaf and an extra-fibre option in a whole loaf.
Lidl stocks Fijn volkoren, an 800 g loaf sold in store.
These two packs from Lekhaven Bakkerij suit anyone who wants to slice their own bread. Allow time to prepare the loaves; the product name doesn’t confirm how well a slice will hold up under generous toppings.
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For anyone who wants to slice their own bread for fakeaway night; the product name specifies two round loaves weighing 550 g each. Allow time to defrost, bake and cool the bread before slicing. Check for yourself how well it holds up under your toppings, and check the latest packaging for allergens and ingredients.
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For anyone who wants to choose their own slice thickness and is looking for one 550 g round loaf. This loaf also needs time to defrost, bake and cool before you slice it. Check whether the slices suit your toppings, and read the latest ingredients and allergen information.
No, these words don’t specify a set slice thickness. Choose a whole loaf if you want to decide the thickness yourself, or check the slices and packaging before choosing pre-sliced bread.
You can’t tell from the word ‘wholemeal’. The AH OerDesem volkoren Allinson we looked at lists iodised salt; check the latest ingredients list for any other loaf.
No, ingredients and allergens vary from product to product. The Albert Heijn bread we looked at lists wheat and cereals containing gluten, while PLUS Grof volkoren heel lists ingredients including wheat, barley and soya. Check the latest packaging for the bread you buy.
Follow the storage instructions for the exact loaf. PLUS advises storing Grof volkoren heel in a cool, dry and dark place. If you want to freeze it, do so on the day you buy it and use it within one month.
