If you want to choose the thickness of the slices for a generously filled sandwich, pick a wholemeal loaf that you can slice yourself. If being able to add your filling straight away matters more, pre-sliced wholemeal bread is a better fit for a busy morning. Bread names such as ‘rustic’ and ‘hearth-baked’ don’t tell you how thick the slices are, so check the bread or its packaging before you choose.
If you want the slice to suit your filling, a wholemeal loaf lets you choose the thickness yourself. For pre-sliced hearth, farmhouse or rustic bread, check the actual slice: the name of the bread doesn’t tell you how thick it is.
If you want to add your filling straight away, look for pre-sliced wholemeal bread. Slicing it yourself takes extra time, even if you prefer thicker slices.
If you want to compare fibre, salt, ingredients and allergens as well as the type of bread, use the nutritional information for the specific loaf. General information about wholemeal bread is no substitute for checking the current label.
A good choice if: you want to cut thicker slices yourself for a generously filled sandwich.
Keep in mind: you’ll need time and a bread knife; ‘rustic’, ‘farmhouse’ and ‘hearth-baked’ don’t, by themselves, guarantee a particular slice thickness.
A good choice if: you want to add your filling straight away in the morning.
Keep in mind: the slices are already cut to a set thickness, so check they’re suitable for your filling.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness | Check whether the loaf is whole or pre-sliced. If it’s pre-sliced, look at the actual slices. | For a generously filled sandwich, I want a slice that suits the filling. This sandwich base is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information | Compare the ingredients, fibre and salt per 100 g; only use values per serving if the serving size is clear. | I want to be able to choose my wholemeal bread partly on its fibre and salt content, not just its colour or name. For around 33% of consumers, this comparison comes first. |
| Convenience in the morning | Check whether the bread is ready to top and whether the pack size suits how much you use. | If I need to get out of the door quickly, I don’t want to have to slice or prepare bread first. Having it ready to use is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
The type of loaf or product range doesn’t determine the slice thickness. So a pre-sliced loaf may have different-sized slices from the ones you’re looking for.
Check whether the loaf is whole or sliced, and look at the slices in store. Choose a whole loaf if you want to decide the thickness yourself.
A dark colour, seeds or a name such as ‘multigrain’ won’t tell you the fibre content of a specific loaf.
Compare the ingredients and nutritional information on the current packaging, checking fibre and salt on the same per-100 g basis.
A whole loaf may not suit your routine if you can’t eat it or store it in time.
Consider buying half a loaf or freezing portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping wholemeal bread for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer.
Bread may contain wheat and other ingredients that are relevant when checking for allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be clearly listed on the label.
For packaged bread, read the allergen information for the product you’ve chosen. For unpackaged bread, ask what allergen information is available.
Albert Heijn lists a range of products online, including wholemeal hearth bread and sliced wholemeal sourdough bread.
Jumbo’s bread range includes fine wholemeal bread and Stevig Volkoren Zonnepit.
Lidl offers packaged and freshly baked bread, including sliced wholemeal tin loaf.
ALDI describes its wholemeal loaves as freshly baked daily and part of its bakery range.
PLUS lists products including Korenlanders rustic wholemeal hearth bread and farmhouse wholemeal bread.
Dirk lists products including whole and half farmhouse wholemeal loaves from Bakker van der Akker.
These two round wholemeal loaves are designed to be sliced after baking. They’re therefore a good fit if you want control over the slices, but not if you want to take a slice straight from the pack for breakfast.
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For anyone who wants to choose the slice thickness and can prepare the bread before breakfast.
The product name lists two round wholemeal loaves, each weighing 550 g. The bread needs to be defrosted, baked and cooled before slicing; the preparation instructions call for 11–13 minutes of baking, followed by 30 minutes to cool. Check the current nutritional information per 100 g and allergen information on the packaging.
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For anyone who wants to slice a single loaf themselves and can plan ahead.
The product name lists one round wholemeal loaf weighing 550 g. The bread must be defrosted, then baked for 11–13 minutes and left to cool for 30 minutes before slicing. Check the current nutritional information per 100 g and allergen information on the packaging.
No. Don’t assume that ‘thick cut’ or a bread name such as ‘rustic’ means a particular slice size. Check whether the loaf is whole or pre-sliced, and look at the slices themselves if their thickness matters for your filling.
You can add your filling to pre-sliced wholemeal bread without having to slice it yourself first. If you prefer thicker slices, a whole loaf gives you more control, but you’ll need to allow time to slice it.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping wholemeal bread for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer. Store it in portions if you don’t use a whole loaf regularly, and check for signs of spoilage before eating.
Yes. Read the allergen information for the specific loaf, as ingredients can vary between products. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed on labels; for unpackaged bread, ask what product information is available.
