Households comparing fibre content
If you enjoy a sweet breakfast but also want to know which bread is wholemeal and how much fibre it contains, compare the wholemeal labelling and nutritional information per 100 g.
Who is this choice for?
Families who prefer a finer-textured loaf
If you’re not keen on a coarse texture, fine wholemeal bread is one style to consider. Check that it’s labelled wholemeal, too: ‘fine’ on its own says nothing about its fibre content.
Households that buy bread to keep in stock
If you spread a whole loaf over several breakfasts, consider whether a half loaf would be more convenient, or freeze some in individual portions straight away.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the ‘wholemeal’ label. Then compare the nutritional information for specific loaves and decide which texture and quantity suit your breakfast.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. | If I choose bread mainly for its wholemeal flour and fibre, I don’t want to rely on its colour. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Texture | Check whether the loaf is fine, coarse or firm, and consider its nutritional value separately from this style description. | With a sweet topping, I want a bread texture we enjoy at home. This preference matters most to around 25% of consumers. |
| Bread and toppings | Check the nutritional information for the topping separately from that of the bread. | I don’t just want to choose the bread; I also want to think carefully about what I put on it. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this combination. |
| Quantity and storage | Choose a whole or half loaf to suit how much you eat, and read the storage and freezing instructions. | If we won’t get through a whole loaf quickly, I want to avoid throwing slices away. This is the main concern for around 17% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal
The colour and a name such as ‘multigrain’ don’t prove that bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that brown bread can also contain refined flour.
First look for the ‘wholemeal’ label, then compare the nutritional information for the breads you’re considering.
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Overlooking the sweet topping
Wholemeal bread doesn’t change the nutritional make-up of a topping. Different sweet toppings can vary in their sugar, salt and saturated fat content.
Think of the bread and topping as separate choices. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests options such as fruit and 100% peanut butter with no added salt or sugar.
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Buying more bread than you can use in time
A whole loaf won’t suit every breakfast routine. Bread left for too long can lose quality or go off.
If needed, choose a half loaf or freeze some in individual portions on the day you buy it. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
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Assuming every loaf contains iodised salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether bread contains iodised salt just from its type.
If it matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask which salt has been used.
Brands and shops to explore
These examples show the wholemeal varieties and product information you can compare. They aren’t a ranking of shops or breads.
Albert Heijn
The product page for AH Volkoren heel describes a whole wholemeal wheat loaf.
- Albert Heijn lists 6,9 g of fibre and 0,9 g of salt per 100 g for this loaf, as well as its ingredients and allergens.
- Product information can change, so check the label on the loaf you buy.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers own-brand wholemeal bread in a range of styles, including fine, coarse and firm.
- The style descriptions can help you choose the texture you prefer.
- Compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the page or packaging for the exact variety.
Lidl
Lidl offers options including fine wholemeal bread and rustic wholemeal sourdough bread.
- Lidl lists the weight of its Fijn volkoren loaf as 800 g.
- Check the current ingredients and nutritional information for each variety before comparing nutritional values.
ALDI
ALDI offers various wholemeal breads, including one called Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood.
- According to ALDI’s own product information, this specific loaf contains 30% more fibre and 30% less salt than the standard wholemeal bread used as a reference.
- This comparison doesn’t automatically apply to other wholemeal breads. Check the current nutritional information for the products you’re comparing.
PLUS
PLUS offers products including Boeren volkoren heel and Volkoren tijger heel.
- PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g for PLUS Boeren volkoren heel.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety; information for one loaf won’t apply to another.
Dirk
Dirk offers wholemeal hearth and farmhouse breads, including Bakker van der Akker Boeren donker volkoren heel.
- Dirk describes this specific loaf as firm.
- Use the current ingredients and nutritional information for the loaf when making a comparison; its dark colour alone isn’t enough.
Wholemeal bread at Joybuy
This flatbread is different from a whole sliced loaf of wholemeal bread. Consider whether its shape suits the way you like to enjoy a sweet breakfast.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat 6 P
An option to try if you’d like flatbread with your sweet breakfast instead of a sliced loaf. Check the packaging for the latest ingredients, allergens, nutritional information and storage instructions. Whether this style works with a sweet topping comes down to personal preference.
Frequently asked questions
Is dark bread or multigrain bread always wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘wholemeal’ means bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; its colour and the term ‘multigrain’ don’t guarantee this. So check the wholemeal labelling on the exact product.
Does wholemeal bread automatically make a sweet topping a sensible everyday choice?
No, assess the topping separately. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests options such as fruit and 100% peanut butter with no added salt or sugar. For other sweet toppings, check the ingredients and nutritional information.
How should I store wholemeal bread that I won’t eat straight away?
Ideally, freeze the portion you won’t eat in time, and follow the instructions on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage guide recommends keeping wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months.
Does all bread in the Netherlands contain iodised salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. For packaged bread, check the ingredients for baker’s salt or iodised salt, or ask which salt was used if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
What should I look for if I need to avoid allergens?
Check the allergen information for the exact bread before choosing it. The AH and PLUS loaves mentioned list cereals containing gluten; ingredients and potential traces vary from product to product.