If you’re serving bread with a meal
Whether you’re serving soup, salad, cheese or dips, the bread’s shape, crust and appearance all matter. Think ahead about how many people you’re serving and when you can buy or prepare the bread.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you’re choosing wholemeal
A rustic appearance isn’t enough if you specifically want wholemeal bread. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread labelled ‘wholemeal’ is made from 100% wholemeal flour. You can then compare the nutritional values per 100 g.
If you want to plan around ingredients and leftovers
If you have requirements around allergens, salt or seeds, the label on the specific loaf matters more than its name. Choosing the right size, or bread you can freeze in portions, also helps you plan for leftovers.
What should you look for when buying?
Start with the ‘wholemeal’ label. Then compare the shape of the loaf, the nutritional information per 100 g and what you’ll need to do before serving.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the packaging. If you’re choosing between varieties, compare the fibre content per 100 g. | I want to make sure the special bread is genuinely wholemeal. For around 33% of consumers, choosing wholemeal comes first. |
| Shape and presentation | Choose a loaf shape that suits the number of people and the way you’ll serve it; check whether it needs baking before serving. | If the bread is going on the table with the meal, I want it to be easy to share and serve. Presentation is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and salt | Read the current ingredients and allergen information. Only compare salt values on the same basis, such as per 100 g. | I need to know exactly what’s in my bread before I serve it. These questions about ingredients matter most to around 20% of consumers. |
| Availability and leftovers | Check how you can buy the bread and choose an amount you can use or store. | I don’t want to find it’s unavailable just before the meal or be left with too much bread. Planning comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark or rustic bread is wholemeal
Colour, seeds and an artisan-style name don’t tell you whether bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
First, check for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the packaging. Then compare the crust, ingredients and nutritional values.
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Assuming sourdough tells you anything about allergens
The sourdough varieties from brands including PLUS that were reviewed contain gluten-containing cereals. Sourdough is no substitute for allergen information.
Read the allergen information for the exact variety you’re buying, including any warnings about traces.
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Planning around a loaf without checking how it’s sold
Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves are baked fresh in store and can’t be ordered online. Lidl also says its rustic wholemeal sourdough loaf is available in store only.
Check your store’s range and see whether the loaf you’ve chosen needs to be baked at home.
If you’re relying on ordering online, you may need to make an extra trip to the shop or find a last-minute alternative.
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Buying more bread than you can use
A large loaf isn’t automatically right for a small gathering, and you’ll need a plan for storing any leftovers.
Choose the right size or freeze the bread in portions in good time. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The Liefde & Passie range is worth considering if you’re looking for rustic wholemeal bread made with sourdough.
- Albert Heijn describes its Liefde & Passie Wholemeal loaf as made with sourdough and baked on a stone oven floor.
- Check which variety is available at your store and read the current label.
Jumbo
The rustic sourdough loaves are worth considering if you want to serve freshly baked bread from the shop with a meal.
- Jumbo says these loaves are left to prove for more than 24 hours with fresh sourdough, then baked fresh in store.
- According to Jumbo, these loaves can’t be ordered online. Check the variety you’ve chosen and its allergen information in store.
PLUS
Korenlanders offers options including a small wholemeal sourdough loaf with poppy seeds and a wholemeal sourdough baguette.
- PLUS lists the fibre content of these products as 7,3 g and 6,5 g per 100 g respectively.
- Check the allergens for each variety. For the baguette, PLUS also warns that it may contain sesame and nuts, among other allergens.
Lidl
The rustic wholemeal sourdough loaf is an option to look out for in store.
- Lidl describes this product as a wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf.
- Lidl says it’s ‘available in store only’. Check the label there for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
ALDI
The Extra High Fibre Wholemeal Bread is worth considering if you’re starting with the wholemeal label and nutritional information.
- ALDI describes this particular variety as 100% wholemeal bread.
- Compare fibre and salt claims against the current label, and don’t assume they apply to other ALDI breads.
Dirk
The wholemeal Batard is a loaf to consider if you want to share a whole loaf.
- Dirk presents the wholemeal Batard as fresh wholemeal bread.
- Check the packaging of the loaf you buy for its ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
Bread options at Joybuy
These options include round loaves to serve with a meal and Lebanese bread to enjoy with dips. If you’re specifically looking for bread labelled ‘wholemeal’, check the packaging of the variety you choose for that wording.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g × 2
A round loaf to serve with a meal; the product name specifies two 550 g loaves. Allow time to defrost and bake before serving, and check the current allergen information on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
A single 550 g round loaf to share at a meal. Allow time to defrost and bake; when comparing fibre or salt, check the values per 100 g on the packaging.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
Lebanese bread to serve with dips, in a pack of six. It’s a different shape from the rustic round loaves; check the current packaging for the product description in Dutch, allergens and storage instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Is dark or multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. The colour and visible grains don’t prove that it’s wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, so look for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the packaging.
Is sourdough automatically wholemeal or gluten-free?
No. Sourdough describes how bread is made and doesn’t automatically tell you whether it’s wholemeal or what allergens it contains. Check both the product description and allergen information for the sourdough you choose; the PLUS sourdough breads mentioned contain gluten-containing cereals.
How can I avoid leftovers after one meal?
Choose a size that suits the number of people, or freeze the bread in portions in good time. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging too.
Can I order Jumbo’s rustic sourdough loaves online?
According to Jumbo, the rustic sourdough loaves described can’t be ordered online because they’re baked fresh in store. Check the current range at the store where you plan to shop.