Who is this choice relevant to?

Families with fussy bread eaters

Looking for a less coarse bread texture for the barbecue, to suit guests who usually choose white bread. Finely milled wholemeal bread is one option, without having to present a bread blend as wholemeal.

Barbecue hosts who want to serve wholemeal bread

Want to check the product description and ingredients to see whether a bread really is wholemeal, rather than relying on its dark colour or seeds.

Small or changing groups

Want to cater for different bread preferences without buying a whole loaf of every type. Half loaves, individual portions and freezing can all help.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to serve wholemeal bread or deliberately choose bread made with a blend of white and wholemeal flour. Then match the texture and quantity to your guests.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Taste and texture Check whether the bread contains finely milled wholemeal flour or is made with a blend of white and wholemeal flour; taste is a personal preference. If my guests leave coarse bread uneaten, I look for a less coarse option without misrepresenting its ingredients. Around 42% of consumers say this is their top priority.
Wholemeal content and nutritional value Check the product description and ingredients. For specific breads, compare the fibre and salt per 100 g. I want to be able to tell whether the bread is genuinely wholemeal and compare the nutritional information of different options; this is the top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Quantity and storage Choose a whole or half loaf, or individual portions, and read the storage instructions on the packaging. When I don’t know how many guests will eat bread, I want practical portions without lots of leftovers. This planning is the main consideration for an estimated 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal

    Colour, seeds and the word ‘multigrain’ don’t, on their own, tell you whether the grain ingredient consists entirely of wholemeal flour.

    Read the product description and ingredients. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that bread can only be labelled ‘wholemeal’ when the grain ingredient consists entirely of wholemeal flour.

  • Relying only on an old product listing

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. This is particularly important if a guest has a food allergy.

    Before buying and serving the bread, check the current packaging.

  • Buying a whole loaf of every type of bread

    Barbecues often include plenty of other dishes, so you may end up with leftover bread.

    If needed, choose a half loaf or individual portions alongside your main choice, and follow the storage advice on the packaging for any leftovers.

    Bread that dries out or goes mouldy can no longer be used as planned.

  • Leaving filled rolls out for too long

    For chilled fillings and side dishes, the main thing to watch is how long they are left out of the fridge. Plain bread and chilled ingredients don’t need to be handled in the same way.

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, put out small amounts of meat, fish and salads at a time, ready to eat. Throw away any food that has been out of the fridge for more than two hours.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has an online selection of wholemeal bread to help you explore options for your barbecue.

  • A dedicated wholemeal selection makes it easier to find different types of bread.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens for each bread you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers, among other options, whole and half loaves of fine wholemeal bread.

  • For Fijn Volkoren, Jumbo provides product information so you can check the ingredients and nutritional value.
  • Use the latest information on the specific product packaging to guide your choice.

Lidl

Lidl lists fine wholemeal bread and a kids’ bread made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.

  • Extra-finely milled flour is a specific feature to look for if your guests prefer to avoid a coarse texture.
  • Lidl says its kids’ bread tastes like brown bread, but that doesn’t mean every guest will feel the same way.

ALDI

ALDI lists several wholemeal breads, including fine wholemeal bread.

  • You can check the bread type and product description across the range.
  • Claims about the ingredients of one variety don’t automatically apply to other ALDI breads.

PLUS

For Boeren volkoren heel, PLUS provides nutritional information, allergen details and storage advice, among other things.

  • This product information can help you compare options and plan portions.
  • PLUS notes that product details can change, so check the packaging.

Dirk

As well as wholemeal bread, Dirk offers other types and shapes of bread for a table with something to suit different preferences.

  • The range gives you options for combining different types and portions of bread.
  • Check each product to see whether it is wholemeal; appearing in a bread selection doesn’t prove that it is.

Bread options on Joybuy

These options include a round loaf to bake off before serving and a pack of flatbreads to serve in individual portions. Check the ingredients for each product before serving it as wholemeal bread or as a bread blend.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round, 550 g

A round loaf for anyone who can prepare the bread before the barbecue. It needs to be defrosted and baked before use; follow the preparation instructions and check the packaging for the ingredients and the proportions of wholemeal flour and white flour.

View at Joybuy
Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces

Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces

A pack of flatbreads for anyone who wants to offer individual portions alongside other types of bread. Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and storage advice after opening; the product name alone doesn’t confirm the basis for the wholemeal claim on the label.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is brown or multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a product can only be labelled wholemeal if the grain ingredient consists entirely of wholemeal flour. So check the product description and ingredients, not just the colour, seeds or the word ‘multigrain’.

Is a blend of white and wholemeal flour suitable for fussy barbecue guests?

It may be a good choice if your guests prefer a bread blend, but don’t describe it as equivalent to wholemeal bread. If you’re looking for a less coarse texture with the wholemeal label, consider finely milled wholemeal bread and check the packaging of the specific product.

Which allergens should I check in barbecue bread?

Check the allergens in the bread you’re actually serving. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on the label; for example, PLUS lists wheat, barley and soya for Boeren volkoren. Don’t assume that another bread from the same brand has the same ingredients.

Does every loaf contain iodised baker’s salt?

Don’t assume it does. Check the ingredients on the packaging of the bread you’ve chosen, or ask the baker which salt was used if that information matters to your choice.

How should I plan the bread if I don’t know how many barbecue guests will eat it?

Consider choosing a half loaf or individual portions alongside your main choice, and follow the storage advice on the packaging. For opened wholemeal bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide recommends keeping it in a kitchen cupboard for two to four days or in the freezer for one to three months.