If you look for wholemeal and fibre
You’re looking for bread for a late-night snack and comparing the ‘wholemeal’ label and fibre content on the packaging, rather than judging by colour alone.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you don’t use much bread at a time
You only have a slice late at night now and then, and want to buy an amount you can finish, or a product that you can portion and store according to the storage instructions.
If you need to read the label carefully
You want to check the ingredients, allergens or salt content of a specific loaf before buying it. The ‘wholemeal’ label doesn’t answer those questions.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, check whether the type of bread suits your preferences. Then work out how much you’ll actually use, and only then compare the nutritional information for the specific products.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare the fibre per 100 g on the packaging. | If I have bread as a late-night snack, I want to know that I’m choosing a genuinely wholemeal product and how its fibre content compares with another loaf. This would be the top priority for around 37% of consumers. |
| A quick portion | Check whether the bread is sliced and whether the packaging suits the portion you want. | Late in the evening, I want to be able to grab a suitable amount without much preparation. This would be the main consideration for around 27% of consumers. |
| Label information | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, and compare salt per 100 g if needed. | If an ingredient or allergen matters to me, I need to be able to assess the specific product; the name alone isn’t enough. This check would come first for around 18% of consumers. |
| Storage and waste | Compare pack sizes and follow the storage instructions if you want to use portions later. | If I only eat bread late at night now and then, I want to avoid leaving the rest unused. This would be the most important factor for an estimated 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking brown or multigrain bread for wholemeal
A dark colour doesn’t prove that bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, brown bread can also contain white flour.
Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label if that’s what you’re looking for.
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Buying a whole loaf for a few late-night snacks
If you only use a few slices, you may have some left over. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies bread as a food that is often wasted.
Consider buying half a loaf, or check whether you can freeze the bread in portions according to the product instructions.
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Relying on a fibre claim alone
A fibre claim doesn’t tell you which ingredients or allergens a loaf contains, and it doesn’t indicate its salt content.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and read the ingredients and allergen list for the exact product.
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Trying to work out iodine content from the product name
A loaf’s name doesn’t tell you how much iodine that particular product contains.
Ask the manufacturer about the product’s composition if you need this information; don’t assume that the presence of baker’s salt indicates a specific amount.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has an online wholemeal bread category, featuring a range of different types of bread.
- The category is a useful starting point for comparing wholemeal options.
- Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change. Check the packaging of the bread you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists wholemeal breads with product-specific nutritional and allergen information.
- Jumbo states that Jumbo Fijn Volkoren contains 7.6 g of fibre per 100 g.
- This fibre value applies to Jumbo Fijn Volkoren and not automatically to other Jumbo breads.
Lidl
Lidl lists products including fine wholemeal bread and a half loaf of extra wholemeal bread.
- Half a loaf may be a good fit if you don’t expect to finish a whole one.
- Check the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific loaf in store.
ALDI
ALDI lists products including fine wholemeal bread and one called Extra High-Fibre Wholemeal Bread.
- ALDI describes Fijn Volkoren as sliced bread, which may be useful if you want to grab a slice quickly.
- Check fibre claims against the nutritional information for the specific product.
PLUS
PLUS lists wholemeal bread with product information on ingredients, nutritional values and storage.
- According to PLUS, you can freeze PLUS Boeren Volkoren at home on the day you buy it.
- Check the current packaging when you buy: product information and origin may change.
Dirk
Dirk lists products including wholemeal floor bread and wholemeal batard loaves for in-store purchase.
- You can consider different types of bread if the amount and shape you want for your late-night snack vary.
- Dirk says it doesn’t offer a delivery service, so you’ll need to visit a store.
Bread and bread alternatives on Joybuy
These products offer different options for a late-night snack: Lebanese bread, crispbread and a rye bread product. Crispbread is a crunchy bread alternative, not fresh sliced bread. Choose based on the type and amount you actually want to use.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
This Lebanese bread may suit you if you want to use individual pieces for a late-night snack. The pack contains 6 pieces; check the label for any ingredients and allergens that matter to you.
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Bolletje wholemeal crispbread, 265 g
Consider this crispbread if you’d prefer a crunchy bread alternative for a late-night snack. The pack contains 265 g; check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.
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g'woon wholemeal crispbread, 375 g
This crispbread is an option if you’re looking for something crunchy and a 375 g pack suits your needs. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g if fibre or salt content matters to you.
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Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g
Consider this rye bread product only if the preparation needed suits when you want to eat it. The pack contains 500 g. Check the product format before buying: the title says it is a bun, while the description refers to sliced rye bread.
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g'woon wholemeal crispbread, 125 g
The 125 g pack may suit you if you only have a crunchy bread alternative now and then. If you want to compare fibre, check whether the label gives the value per 100 g or per portion.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if bread is genuinely wholemeal?
Check whether the bread is labelled ‘wholemeal’: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. Colour and the ‘multigrain’ label alone don’t prove that bread is wholemeal.
What should I choose if I only eat bread late at night occasionally?
A smaller pack or half a loaf may suit occasional use better than a whole loaf. If you want to store portions, follow the instructions for the product you choose. For example, PLUS says that PLUS Boeren Volkoren can be frozen on the day of purchase.
Are the allergens the same in every wholemeal bread?
No, ingredients and allergens vary from one product to another. Check the current packaging of the bread you choose, even if you’ve already looked at another wholemeal variety from the same brand.
Can I work out the iodine content from ‘wholemeal’ or ‘baker’s salt’?
No, neither label tells you the iodine content of a specific loaf. If you need this information, ask the manufacturer about the composition of the particular product.