If you want to choose the thickness of your slice for a generously topped snack, pick a loaf that is genuinely unsliced, or ask whether the shop can cut it to your preferred thickness. Pre-sliced bread with ‘coarse’ or ‘hearty’ in the name is more convenient, but those words tell you nothing about slice thickness. Also check that the bread is labelled wholemeal, and read the up-to-date ingredients and allergen information.
If you want a thick slice for lots of toppings or heavier fillings, having control over how the loaf is cut is what matters most. If you buy a whole loaf, check whether it is unsliced too: ‘whole’ does not necessarily mean the slices have not already been cut.
Sourdough, a rustic loaf shape or a description such as a firm bite can help you choose a style of bread. None of these descriptions confirms how thick the slices are.
If you take the ingredients into account, check the wholemeal description, ingredients, nutritional values per 100 g, allergens and whether baker’s salt is listed as separate points. A thick slice tells you nothing about these features.
First decide whether you need a particular slice thickness or are mainly looking for a certain style of bread. Then check the current packaging for the features that matter to you.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness | Check whether the loaf is unsliced, or ask what thickness the shop can cut it to. ‘Whole’ can also mean pre-sliced. | If I want to pile plenty of toppings onto one slice, I want to choose the thickness myself. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Flavour and texture | Read the bread description for details such as sourdough or a firm bite, but don’t treat these terms as a measure of thickness. | I’m mainly looking for bread with a flavour and texture that go well with my toppings. This preference comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Label and ingredients | Check the description, ingredients, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g; look separately to see whether baker’s salt is listed. | Before choosing a loaf, I want to know what’s in it and which allergens are listed. This label check matters most to around 25% of consumers. |
These words don’t describe a set slice thickness. For example, ALDI lists a wholemeal tiger loaf as whole but already pre-sliced.
Check the packaging or ask in store whether you can get an unsliced loaf or choose the slice thickness.
Colour, a tiger pattern and a rustic shape don’t in themselves tell you whether a loaf is made with wholemeal flour. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as bread made from 100% wholemeal flour.
Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging and read the ingredients list for the loaf you choose.
Not every loaf has to list the same type of salt in its ingredients. Choosing a thick slice tells you nothing about the salt used.
For packaged bread, check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed. For unpackaged bread, ask about the ingredients.
If you only use a few thick slices, the rest of the loaf may be left to go stale or mouldy.
Once prepared, divide the loaf into portions you’ll use and freeze the rest. Also check the storage instructions on the packaging.
These brands offer useful points of comparison for bread styles or labels. Check each loaf individually to see whether it is unsliced: a brand name or range description doesn’t guarantee thick slices.
Albert Heijn describes AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren as a bread with a firm bite.
Jumbo’s wholemeal range includes products such as Rond Grof Volkoren and Stevig Volkoren Zonnepit.
Under its Korenlanders range, PLUS lists both Boeren tijger volkoren and Extra donker volkoren vloerbrood.
ALDI lists a Boeren tijger wholemeal loaf as whole and pre-sliced.
Lidl lists a Rustiek volkoren desembrood and says bread slicers are available in selected stores.
These two Lekhaven Bakkerij options are ideal if you want to prepare a round loaf at home and slice it yourself afterwards. Before buying, check whether the loaf is already sliced and read the current ingredients if having an unsliced loaf or one made exclusively with wholemeal flour is essential to you.
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For anyone who wants to prepare bread at home and slice it themselves afterwards. The pack contains two 550 g loaves.
Allow time to defrost, bake and cool the bread before slicing. Check whether it is supplied unsliced, and read the current label if the flour composition matters to you.
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For anyone who wants to prepare one round loaf at home and slice it themselves once it has cooled. This option is listed as 550 g.
Check the packaging to see whether the loaf is unsliced, how long it needs to bake and how the ingredients are listed. Remember to allow time for defrosting and cooling before slicing the bread.
Choose a loaf that is genuinely unsliced and cut it yourself, or ask whether the shop can cut it to your preferred thickness. Check explicitly whether it has already been sliced: ‘whole’ can also describe a pre-sliced loaf.
Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. Also read the ingredients list to compare different loaves.
Don’t assume that it does. For packaged bread, check the ingredients for baker’s salt or iodised salt. For unpackaged bread, ask which type of salt has been used.
Freeze the slices you won’t use straight away in portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 4 days, or in the freezer for 1 to 3 months. Also follow the storage instructions for the product you choose.
No. Check the allergen information for the specific loaf. Ingredients and statements about possible contact with allergens can vary between products, even among loaves with similar names or crusts.
