If you’re preparing several lunches, a wholemeal loaf is a practical choice; for a single lunch, a smaller roll may be more convenient. First, check that the product is labelled wholemeal, then compare the fibre, salt and allergens in each product. Seeded bread or a reduced-carbohydrate option is a good fit if that particular feature matters to you and the rest of the nutritional information suits you too.
You want to know whether the bread is genuinely wholemeal and compare its fibre content. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; you can find the fibre content of a particular loaf on its packaging.
You might be preparing several lunches in advance or looking for a single portion to take on the go. The choice between a whole loaf and a smaller roll also depends on portioning, storage and how easy it is to carry.
You pay particular attention to ingredients, allergens, salt or carbohydrates when choosing. If you’re buying an unwrapped lunch in the canteen, ask for allergen information about the bread on offer.
For lunch at university, start by checking that the bread is labelled wholemeal, then choose a type that suits your lunch plans. Always check the label on the bread you’re planning to buy for specific nutritional values and allergen information.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g on product labels. | If I’m buying bread as the base for my lunches, I want to know it’s genuinely wholemeal rather than judging by its brown colour. Around 44% of consumers prioritise wholemeal bread and fibre. |
| Portions and storage | Choose between a whole loaf and a smaller type of bread; check how it can be stored or frozen. | If you’re taking just one lunch with you, you may not want the hassle of portioning a whole loaf; for several lunches, a storage plan can be useful. This practical convenience matters most to around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Check the allergens and compare salt and, where relevant, carbohydrates per 100 g. | If I need to watch a particular ingredient or nutritional value, I can’t choose based on the bread’s name alone. Around 23% of consumers prioritise checking the label for specific details. |
The colour of bread doesn’t tell you what flour it’s made from. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between wholemeal bread made from 100% wholemeal flour and brown bread, which also contains white flour.
Look for the wholemeal label and, if in doubt, check the ingredients rather than relying on the front of the packaging.
A reduced-carbohydrate bread may differ from standard wholemeal bread in other nutritional values and ingredients. For example, the reduced-carbohydrate option described by Jumbo also contains egg and soya.
Compare the full nutritional information per 100 g and check the allergens before choosing this option.
You can divide a whole loaf between several lunches, but you’ll need to plan ahead if you won’t use it all quickly. Albert Heijn and PLUS advise freezing their wholemeal loaves on the day of purchase.
If needed, divide the loaf into lunch-sized portions and follow the storage instructions for your chosen product.
With unwrapped bread, you can’t always check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for unwrapped products must be made available to consumers in another way.
Before buying, check the information available or ask the canteen about the allergens in the specific bread.
AH Volkoren heel is an example of a whole loaf for several lunches.
Jumbo’s product information includes examples of fine wholemeal bread, sunflower-seed bread and a reduced-carbohydrate option.
PLUS Boeren volkoren heel is an example of a whole loaf you can portion for several lunches.
Dirk lists options including a wholemeal hearth loaf and a whole farmhouse wholemeal loaf.
Lidl lists both a half loaf of extra wholemeal bread and an individual wholemeal roll.
These options include wholemeal flatbread, a round loaf, crispbread and rye bread. The right type for you depends on what you’re having with it, how many portions you need and whether you want to prepare it in advance.
Image unavailable
A flatbread option if you want to take individual pieces for lunch.
Check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on the packaging, especially if you plan to use the pieces over several days.
Image unavailable
A whole loaf to divide between several lunches.
This loaf needs to be defrosted and baked before use, so plan ahead. Only compare its fibre content with other breads once you can check the value per 100 g on the label.
Image unavailable
A crunchy base for lunch if you’re not looking for soft slices of bread.
Crispbread is a different type of bread from a whole loaf or roll. Check the allergens and reseal the packaging after opening, following the instructions on the product.
Image unavailable
A rye bread option if you’re considering something other than wholemeal wheat bread for lunch.
Check the product type before buying: the title mentions a roll, while the description also refers to sliced rye bread. Remember to check the allergen information too.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, while brown bread also contains white flour. So look for the wholemeal label; colour alone isn’t a reliable guide.
Don’t assume so without checking the label. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH Volkoren heel, but you’ll need to check the ingredients list for other breads.
Check the allergen information for the specific bread before buying. The wholemeal options mentioned may contain cereals containing gluten and other allergens; labels such as wholemeal or reduced-carbohydrate don’t tell you which allergens a product contains.
Follow the storage instructions for your chosen loaf and portion it if needed. Albert Heijn and PLUS say their wholemeal loaves can be frozen on the day of purchase.
Before buying, ask for the bread’s allergen information or check the information provided by the canteen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says consumers must be given this information for unwrapped products in a way other than on packaging.
