Fibre-conscious first-time buyer
You’re moving into your own place and want to choose bread that really is wholemeal, rather than relying on its brown colour or visible grains.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Student with limited storage
You’re buying bread for one and want to avoid some of it going stale before you can eat it.
Switching from white bread
You want to try wholemeal bread, but texture matters to you. Fine wholemeal bread could be an option to consider, as long as you check the label on the packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the ‘wholemeal’ label, then compare what matters for your household: nutritional information, a suitable quantity or the texture.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the bread name and compare the fibre per 100 g on the packaging. | If I want to make a conscious choice to buy wholemeal bread, I need to be able to tell it apart from bread that only looks brown. For around 42% of consumers, having that certainty comes first. |
| Quantity and storage | Check the pack size and whether you can freeze the bread in portions straight away. | When I live alone, I don’t want to open more bread than I can eat. Around 33% of consumers give managing that supply their highest priority. |
| Texture and ingredients | Consider which type of bread you prefer, then check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens for that variety. | When switching from white bread, I’m looking for a wholemeal option I’ll enjoy eating. Texture is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking brown or multigrain bread for wholemeal
A dark colour or visible grains don’t tell you whether a loaf is made entirely from wholemeal flour.
Check whether ‘wholemeal’ appears in the bread name. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes wholemeal bread from brown bread, which also contains white flour.
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Looking only at the pack size
A whole loaf may be too much for one person to eat in time.
Choose an amount that suits how much you use, or freeze the bread in portions as soon as you buy it, following the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage advice.
Bread that goes off before you can eat it also contributes to food waste.
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Relying on an old product description
The ingredients and nutritional information for a particular loaf can change.
Use product pages to compare varieties, but check the nutritional information and allergens on the packaging of the loaf you buy.
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Assuming every loaf contains the same iodised salt
The salt or iodine information for one loaf doesn’t tell you which ingredients are in another.
If this matters to your choice, read the ingredients list for the specific loaf or ask the shop for product information.
Shops and brands to compare
Albert Heijn
At Albert Heijn, you can compare the nutritional information for individual wholemeal loaves.
- Albert Heijn lists 6.8 g of fibre and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g for AH Extra lang lekker volkoren.
- These figures apply to that variety. Check the current packaging when you buy it, including the ingredients and allergens.
ALDI
ALDI includes wholemeal bread in its fresh daily bread range.
- ALDI says its wholemeal breads are made with 100% wholemeal flour.
- Check the label on the loaf you choose for nutritional information and allergens.
Lidl
Lidl lists Fine wholemeal as an in-store product for anyone who wants to explore this type of bread texture.
- Lidl’s product page lists a pack size of 800 g.
- Check the nutritional information and ingredients on the packaging of this specific variety.
PLUS
PLUS has a dedicated wholemeal bread category where you can compare different types of bread.
- The category makes it easy to look specifically for wholemeal options.
- Check the contents and nutritional information for each loaf you choose; they aren’t the same across all varieties.
Dirk
Dirk lists wholemeal bread alongside options including white and multigrain bread.
- Listing these bread types separately helps you look specifically for the ‘wholemeal’ label.
- Compare the contents and nutritional information for the loaf you actually want to buy.
Bread option at Joybuy
This is Lebanese flatbread in a pack of six, not standard sliced wholemeal bread. If you’re specifically looking for bread labelled ‘wholemeal’ in the Netherlands, check the label and ingredients on the packaging.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
An option if you’re looking for Lebanese flatbread rather than sliced bread. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging before you choose. According to the product information, the bread should be eaten within two days of opening, so bear that in mind if you live alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is brown bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, whereas brown bread is made from a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour. So check whether ‘wholemeal’ appears in the bread name.
How do I compare the fibre in two loaves?
Compare the amount of fibre per 100 g in the nutrition tables on both packs. Also check the serving size if you want to know how much you’ll get in a slice or piece of bread.
How can I avoid having leftover bread in my student room?
Freeze the bread in portions as soon as you buy it, following the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice, and take out what you need. If you’ve opened the pack, also check the storage instructions for that specific product.
Where can I check the allergens in wholemeal bread?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the loaf you buy. Don’t rely on information for another variety or on a product page you viewed earlier.
Does every loaf list the same iodised salt?
No, don’t assume every loaf has the same ingredients list. For example, Albert Heijn lists sodium-reduced iodised sea salt for AH Vloerbrood volkoren; check the ingredients list for any other loaf separately.