Who is this bread choice relevant to?

Older people who want to keep eating wholemeal bread

You want to choose bread with your afternoon coffee that really is wholemeal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also highlights the importance of drinking enough when choosing high-fibre foods.

Fussy eaters looking for a change

You want to try a finer type of bread or deliberately choose bread made with both wholemeal flour and white flour. In that case, the difference between a wholemeal product and a flour blend matters more than the bread’s colour.

People living alone and carers looking to reduce waste

If you only eat bread on a few afternoons, a half loaf may be a better fit. If you buy a whole loaf, it’s worth checking the freezing instructions and dividing it into handy portions.

What should you look for when choosing?

Fine wholemeal bread

Choose this if: you want fully wholemeal bread and would like to try a finer variety.

Bear in mind: ‘fine’ on its own doesn’t tell you how soft the crust is or how easy the bread will be for someone to chew.

Bread made with wholemeal flour and white flour

Choose this if: you deliberately want to try a blend of wholemeal flour and white flour.

Bear in mind: a flour blend isn’t the same as wholemeal bread. The ingredients and nutritional information tell you what you’re actually buying.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal content and nutritional value Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare fibre and salt per 100 g on the packaging. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, the grain ingredient in a wholemeal product must consist entirely of wholemeal flour. With my afternoon coffee, I want to know whether the bread really is wholemeal, rather than judging by its dark colour. For around 42% of consumers, that would be the main consideration.
Taste and texture Check whether the bread is fine or coarse and whether it contains seeds or kernels. If you want a flour blend, check which types of flour are listed in the ingredients. If I don’t like a coarse slice, I want to be able to try a different texture without confusing wholemeal bread with a flour blend. That preference would come first for around 33% of consumers.
Portions and storage Compare a whole loaf with a half loaf, and read the storage and freezing instructions for the product you choose. If I only eat bread with coffee now and then, I don’t want to buy more than I can use or store. For around 25% of consumers, finding the right size would be the main concern.

Common mistakes when choosing bread

  • Assuming brown or multigrain bread is wholemeal

    The colour and types of grain don’t tell you whether the grain ingredient consists entirely of wholemeal flour. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that bread labelled ‘wholemeal’ must contain grain that is entirely wholemeal.

    Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label if that’s what you’re after. If you specifically want a flour blend, check which types of flour are listed in the ingredients.

  • Assuming ‘fine’ means suitable for chewing or swallowing difficulties

    The name ‘fine wholemeal’ doesn’t guarantee a soft crust or that the bread will be suitable for someone with chewing or swallowing difficulties. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights these difficulties as something to consider when caring for older people.

    If you simply prefer a different texture, try a small amount first. If you have difficulty chewing or swallowing, ask a healthcare professional or dietitian for individual advice.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan

    If you only have bread for coffee on a few occasions, some of it may go unused.

    Consider buying a half loaf, or check whether the whole loaf you choose can be frozen in portions according to the product instructions.

  • Assuming every loaf contains iodised salt

    Ingredients can vary from one loaf to another. For example, Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH Volkoren heel; that doesn’t tell you anything about another loaf.

    If the type of salt used matters to you, check the ingredients list of the product you’re buying.

Brands with relevant bread options

Albert Heijn

Offers whole and half wholemeal loaves in a range of styles.

  • Albert Heijn lists 6,9 g of fibre and 0,9 g of salt per 100 g for AH Volkoren heel.
  • These nutritional values apply to AH Volkoren heel; check the packaging for other varieties.

Jumbo

Offers fine wholemeal options, including Fijn Volkoren, Rond Fijn Volkoren and a half loaf of fine wholemeal bread.

  • A half loaf gives you a smaller amount to try.
  • The name ‘fine’ doesn’t guarantee softness or that the bread will be easy to chew.

Lidl

Provides general information about wholemeal products as a starting point for choosing bread.

  • The information explains which parts of the grain are used in wholemeal products.
  • For a specific loaf, compare the ingredients and nutritional information on the current packaging.

ALDI

Offers sliced Fijn volkoren and other wholemeal breads.

  • Sliced Fijn volkoren is a specific option to look at if you’d like to try a fine-textured bread.
  • The features of ALDI Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood don’t automatically apply to ALDI Fijn volkoren.

PLUS

Offers Rond fijn volkoren in whole and half-loaf options, alongside other wholemeal breads.

  • PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g for Boeren volkoren heel.
  • Those values apply to Boeren volkoren heel, not Rond fijn volkoren; check the label for each variety.

Dirk

Offers a range of breads, including wholemeal, white, multigrain and sourdough.

  • The range makes it easy to compare different types of bread.
  • White and multigrain bread aren’t wholemeal just because of their names; check each loaf individually.

Bread options on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is bread made with white flour and wholemeal flour also wholemeal bread?

Not if the grain ingredient doesn’t consist entirely of wholemeal flour. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that the grain ingredient in a product labelled ‘wholemeal’ must be entirely wholemeal. If you’re choosing a flour blend, check the ingredients and nutritional information to assess its composition.

Is fine wholemeal bread always softer?

No, ‘fine wholemeal’ doesn’t guarantee a soft crust or that the bread will be easy to chew. If it’s simply a matter of texture preference, try a small amount first; if you have difficulty chewing or swallowing, seek individual professional advice.

How should I store bread for the occasional coffee break?

Choose a half loaf, or follow the freezing instructions for the whole loaf you buy. Albert Heijn and PLUS state that AH Volkoren heel and PLUS Boeren volkoren heel respectively can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; divide the bread into handy portions beforehand if needed.

How can I tell whether bread contains iodised salt?

Check the ingredients list for the specific type of salt used in the bread. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH Volkoren heel, but that doesn’t automatically apply to other breads.