To serve wholemeal bread on St Nicholas’ Eve, choose bread labelled ‘wholemeal’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘brown’ or ‘multigrain’ on its own does not mean the same thing. Then decide which texture and quantity will work for your savoury snacks, and compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on each product’s packaging.
If you’d like to serve sandwiches alongside the St Nicholas’ Eve treats, look for bread labelled ‘wholemeal’. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as bread made from 100% wholemeal flour.
Fine wholemeal bread may be a good option for children or anyone else who prefers a less coarse loaf. Lidl also lists a kids’ bread made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour. Check the ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging of the loaf you choose.
If certain ingredients need to be avoided, the information on the specific loaf matters. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on the label.
First, check that the bread is labelled ‘wholemeal’. Then choose a loaf style and quantity to suit the snacks you’re making, and read the label on the variety you’ve picked.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal bread and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging and compare fibre per 100 g. If the product makes a comparative fibre claim, check what it is being compared with. | If wholemeal flour is my starting point, I don’t want to judge by the dark colour of the bread alone. For around 43% of consumers, wholemeal status and fibre content come first. |
| Texture and size | Consider whether a fine or coarser loaf will suit those eating it, and whether a whole or half loaf is the right size for the quantity of snacks you’re making. | For small sandwiches, I want to choose bread that everyone at the table will enjoy, without ending up with more than we need. Texture or size is the main consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Labelling and storage | Read the ingredients and allergen information, compare salt per 100 g if needed, and check the storage instructions. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or will only use the bread for one evening, I want to know in advance what’s in it and how to store any leftovers. Labelling and storage information is the top priority for around 28% of consumers. |
A dark colour or several types of grain doesn’t mean that bread is made entirely from wholemeal flour. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes brown bread, made with a mix of wholemeal flour and white flour, from wholemeal bread.
Look for ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging, then compare fibre per 100 g if you wish.
A fibre comparison applies to the product named and the basis used for the comparison. It doesn’t automatically tell you about the ingredients, allergens or salt content of other loaves.
Check what the claim is based on, then compare the nutritional information and ingredients of the products you’re actually considering.
If the bread is only being served on St Nicholas’ Eve, you may have some left over. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says opened wholemeal bread will keep for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard.
Choose an amount you’ll use, or freeze the bread in portions straight after buying it, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
Albert Heijn lists a range of wholemeal breads, including a hearth-baked loaf and an organic batard.
Jumbo provides product information for a Grof Volkoren variety.
Lidl lists an 800 g fine wholemeal loaf as an in-store product.
ALDI lists fine wholemeal bread, among other products, as well as one called Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood.
For Boeren volkoren heel, PLUS lists the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values on the product page.
Dirk lists a wholemeal hearth-baked loaf and a Bakker van der Akker variety with ‘Extra vezels’ in its product name.
This is a Whole Wheat flatbread for savoury snacks, not a whole sliced wholemeal loaf. Check the packaging to make sure the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information suit what you’re looking for.
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A flatbread to consider if you’d like to serve savoury snacks instead of sliced sandwiches.
The product name specifies Whole Wheat and a pack of 6. Check the packaging for the exact ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Check whether the bread packaging says ‘wholemeal’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; the terms ‘brown’ and ‘multigrain’ don’t confirm this on their own.
Yes, sandwiches can make a savoury addition to the snacks served on St Nicholas’ Eve. Choose the style and quantity of bread to suit what you’re serving; it won’t change the ingredients in the other snacks.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the specific packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on the label. For example, a PLUS wholemeal loaf lists wheat, barley and soya, but that composition doesn’t automatically apply to other breads.
If you won’t use the bread soon, it’s best to freeze it in portions straight after buying it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says opened wholemeal bread keeps for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1 to 3 months in the freezer. Also follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
