Lunch-makers who like generous toppings
If you want to cut a slice to your preferred thickness for generous toppings, look specifically for unsliced wholemeal bread. A whole loaf may already be sliced, so check before you buy.
Who might prefer thick lunch slices?
Shoppers comparing nutritional values
If fibre and salt are your main considerations, compare the nutritional information per 100 g across different loaves. For reference, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 2,4 g of fibre per 35 g slice of coarse wholemeal bread; the value for another loaf or a thicker slice may differ.
Label-conscious shoppers
If ingredients or allergens matter to your choice, read the packaging of the loaf you’re actually buying. If you want to know whether baker’s salt has been used, check whether it’s listed: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, its use isn’t compulsory.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the slice thickness you want: if you’re going to cut it yourself, the loaf must be unsliced. Then use the nutritional information and label to decide which bread best suits your lunch.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness and firmness | Check that the wholemeal bread is unsliced. If it’s pre-sliced, look at the actual slices. | With generous or moist toppings, I want to cut a slice that’s comfortable to handle; this is the main priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Fibre and nutritional value | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and also consider the weight of the slice you eat. | When comparing types of bread for my lunch, I want to know what a larger slice means for the amount of fibre and salt I eat. Around 46% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
| Labelling and storage | Read the ingredients, allergen information and storage instructions. Check whether baker’s salt is listed, if you wish. | When preparing lunches in advance, I want to check what’s in the bread and how to store it; this matters most to around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘coarse’ or ‘hearty’ means ‘thickly sliced’
These words don’t necessarily describe the thickness of a pre-sliced piece. A loaf sold as ‘whole’ doesn’t have to be unsliced either.
If you want to choose the thickness yourself, check that the loaf is unsliced. Otherwise, look at the slices in store or ask at the bakery counter.
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Assuming all bread contains baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when baking isn’t compulsory. The type of bread alone won’t tell you whether it has been used.
Read the ingredients list or ask the baker which salt was used in that loaf.
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Looking only at the fibre content
When comparing products, you should also consider the salt content, the size of your slice, and the ingredients and allergens in the specific loaf.
Compare nutritional values per 100 g and read the current packaging before making your choice.
Brands and types of bread to consider
These supermarket ranges offer a starting point when choosing a wholemeal loaf. Check whether each loaf is unsliced; a range or product name doesn’t in itself tell you how thick the slices are.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists, among other options, wholemeal hearth bread, round wholemeal bread and tiger wholemeal bread.
- The range includes different shapes and whole loaves.
- Check whether your chosen loaf is unsliced or how thick its slices are.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes its Hearty wholemeal bread as wholemeal bread with sunflower seeds.
- An option to consider if you’re looking for a loaf with seeds.
- ‘Hearty’ doesn’t confirm a particular slice thickness; also read the ingredients and nutritional information for the loaf you choose.
PLUS
PLUS lists Coarse wholemeal bread as both a whole and a half loaf.
- For its whole Coarse wholemeal loaf, PLUS lists ingredients and nutritional information, among other details.
- If you want to choose the slice thickness yourself, check separately that the loaf is unsliced.
ALDI
ALDI lists, among other options, fine wholemeal bread and a whole Extra high-fibre wholemeal loaf.
- The extra high-fibre option is worth comparing for its current fibre and salt values.
- The word ‘whole’ doesn’t confirm that you can slice the loaf yourself.
Lidl
Lidl lists fine wholemeal bread and a whole tiger wholemeal hearth loaf.
- There are various types of wholemeal bread to look at in store.
- Look at the slices or check whether the loaf is unsliced before relying on its name.
Dirk
Dirk lists, among other options, a whole wholemeal hearth loaf.
- A whole hearth loaf is worth considering if you want to slice it yourself.
- Check that this particular loaf is sold unsliced, and read the label.
Wholemeal bread to slice yourself at Joybuy
These two round loaves are intended for you to slice yourself after defrosting and baking. You can choose your preferred slice thickness, but you’ll need to prepare the bread before lunch; check the current packaging for both options.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g
Ideal if you want to choose the thickness of your lunch slices yourself, once you’ve defrosted, baked and cooled the bread.
Pack size: 2 × 550 g. Check the current packaging for the baking time. To help you choose, also compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and read the allergen information and ingredients, including whether baker’s salt is listed.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
A good choice if you want to slice your own lunch bread after defrosting, baking and cooling it.
Listed weight: 550 g. Check the packaging for preparation instructions, fibre and salt per 100 g, allergen information and whether baker’s salt has been used.
Frequently asked questions
What changes if I cut wholemeal bread into thicker slices?
You’ll have a larger slice, but thickness alone doesn’t tell you whether a loaf is a better fit for your lunch. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and consider how much bread you actually eat. For reference, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 3,4 g of fibre and 0,48 g of salt for a 50 g slice of wholemeal bread cut at home; values for individual products may vary.
How can I find wholemeal bread that I can cut into thick slices?
Look for wholemeal bread that is explicitly sold unsliced. ‘Whole’ refers to the size of the loaf and doesn’t automatically mean it’s unsliced. If you’re unsure, ask in store whether the loaf has already been sliced.
Is all bread in the Netherlands made with baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when baking isn’t compulsory. To find out whether it has been used in a particular loaf, read the ingredients list or ask the baker.
Can I freeze wholemeal bread for lunches later on?
That depends on the storage instructions for the bread you buy. For its whole Coarse wholemeal loaf, PLUS recommends freezing it at home on the day of purchase and using it within one month; for another loaf, follow the instructions on its packaging.