Snack makers who like generous toppings
If you want slices for toppings such as cheese, egg or a spread, check how the bread is sliced. ‘Coarse’ and ‘hearty’ don’t describe slice thickness.
Who is this important for?
Label checkers
Want to know whether bread is wholemeal and compare products for fibre, salt, ingredients and allergens? Check the product description and nutritional information for the specific loaf. According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
Planning snacks for several days
If you’re buying bread for different days of the autumn half-term, check the storage and freezing instructions for your chosen product before planning how much to buy.
What should you look for when buying?
For generously topped snacks, start by checking how the bread is sliced. The ‘wholemeal’ description and the information on the label will then help you assess the bread itself.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness | Check the stated slicing option or ask how thick the slices are; don’t assume from words such as ‘coarse’, ‘hearty’ or ‘hearth-baked’. | When I’m adding generous toppings to my snacks, I want to know how thick the slices really are. For around 42% of consumers, the slicing option is the top priority. |
| Wholemeal and labelling | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ description and compare fibre and salt per 100 g, ingredients and allergens on the current label. | When choosing bread, I mainly want to be able to assess what it contains, even if two loaves look similar. Around 33% of consumers put this label information first. |
| Stocking up | Check the storage and freezing instructions, and make sure the product is available at the shop where you’re buying it. | For snacks over several days of the holidays, I want to know how to store the bread I’ve chosen. This is the main concern for an estimated 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming ‘coarse’ means thickly sliced
A bread name may tell you something about its type or texture without specifying how thick the slices are. So you still won’t know whether it suits your plans for generously topped snacks.
Check the slicing option separately on the packaging or at the bakery counter.
-
Judging wholemeal bread by its colour or seeds
A dark colour doesn’t confirm that bread is wholemeal. According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
Check for the ‘wholemeal’ description, then look at the ingredients and nutritional information.
-
Assuming the type of bread tells you what salt it contains
The ‘wholemeal’ description doesn’t tell you which type of salt is used in a particular loaf. For example, Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH OerDesem wholemeal Allinson.
Read the current ingredients list for the bread you’re buying, especially if the type of salt matters to you.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The range includes AH OerDesem wholemeal Allinson, whole loaf.
- The product information lists ingredients, allergens, fibre, salt and freezing instructions.
- ‘Whole loaf’ doesn’t specify the slice thickness.
Jumbo
The wholemeal bread selection includes fine, coarse and toast varieties.
- You can compare different types of bread side by side.
- A bread type alone doesn’t confirm that it has thick slices.
Lidl
Lidl’s range includes a wholemeal kids’ loaf made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
- The description is useful if you prefer a fine-textured loaf.
- A fine texture says nothing about slice thickness.
ALDI
ALDI’s range includes Extra High Fibre Wholemeal Bread and Fine Wholemeal.
- The individual product pages give you a useful starting point for comparing varieties.
- The product name doesn’t confirm whether the bread is thickly sliced.
PLUS
PLUS’s range includes Coarse Wholemeal, Whole Loaf and Wholemeal Tiger Bread, Whole Loaf.
- The product pages list ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
- ‘Coarse’ and ‘whole loaf’ don’t confirm the slice thickness.
Dirk
Dirk’s range includes Wholemeal Hearth Bread, Whole Loaf and Farmers’ Extra Fibre Wholemeal, Whole Loaf.
- The product names help you tell the different varieties apart.
- ‘Hearth bread’ and ‘whole loaf’ don’t tell you how thick the slices are.
Bread to slice yourself at Joybuy
You can slice this bread yourself after baking if you want to choose the thickness for your snacks. If you specifically want wholemeal bread, check the description and ingredients on the packaging before buying.
Image unavailable
Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g
If you want to choose the slice thickness yourself, you can slice this bread once it has been baked and cooled.
The ingredients list includes both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour. If you’re looking specifically for wholemeal bread, check the product description on the packaging.
Follow the baking instructions on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if bread is wholemeal?
Check whether the bread is described as ‘wholemeal’. According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; the description doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are.
Does ‘wholemeal’ mean bread contains iodised salt?
No. ‘Wholemeal’ describes the flour used, not the salt in a particular loaf. Check the current ingredients list for terms such as ‘iodised salt’ or ‘baker’s salt’.
Can I freeze bread for several days of the holidays?
You can if the instructions for your chosen bread say it can be frozen. Product information from Albert Heijn and PLUS recommends freezing certain wholemeal loaves on the day of purchase. Follow the instructions and use-by guidance on your packaging.
Where can I check allergens in wholemeal bread?
Check the allergen information on the packaging for the specific loaf. The product information for AH OerDesem wholemeal Allinson and PLUS Coarse Wholemeal, Whole Loaf lists other ingredients or possible traces alongside wheat, so don’t rely on the bread’s name alone.