Fibre-conscious breakfast eaters
You want to choose genuinely wholemeal bread and compare the fibre and salt per 100 g on the packaging.
Who is this for?
Households that care about texture
You’re looking for a wholemeal loaf that will suit everyone at the table, including those who prefer fine bread to a coarser version with kernels or seeds.
Weekend planners
You only eat bread occasionally and want to choose a size or storage plan that helps you avoid wasting what’s left.
What should you look for when choosing?
Before your weekend breakfast, check that the bread is labelled wholemeal. Then compare the labels on the loaves you’re considering and think about how many slices you’ll use.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name and compare fibre per 100 g in the nutrition table. | I want to make sure I’m choosing wholemeal bread, then compare its fibre content. For around 36% of consumers, wholemeal and fibre come first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information for the exact variety you’ve chosen. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the bread before buying it. For around 29% of consumers, checking this comes first. |
| Size and freshness | Choose an amount that suits your planned breakfasts and check the storage advice. | A whole loaf might be too much for my weekend; I want to be able to keep what’s left. Around 21% of consumers give planning and freshness top priority. |
| Texture | Check whether the bread is described as fine, hearty or seeded; for these varieties, check that it’s labelled wholemeal too. | A fine or hearty slice can make all the difference at our table. For around 14% of consumers, texture is the most important factor when choosing. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal
The colour of the bread and a multigrain name don’t prove that it’s made from 100% wholemeal flour. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, brown bread contains both wholemeal flour and white flour.
Check that ‘wholemeal’ appears in the bread’s name, then compare the nutritional information.
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Using a fibre claim to check for allergens
A fibre claim doesn’t tell you which allergens the bread contains. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority advises that allergens are listed in the ingredients list.
Read the current ingredients list and allergen information again if you switch product or variety.
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Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan
For opened wholemeal bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing it in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days. That may not be long enough if you only eat bread at the weekend.
Choose a suitable size or freeze the slices you plan to eat later as soon as you buy the loaf.
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Applying a claim about one loaf to all wholemeal breads
ALDI compares its extra-high-fibre wholemeal bread with standard wholemeal bread using NEVO-Online 2021 7.0 as the basis. This comparison applies to that specific product and says nothing about the values for other varieties.
Compare the current nutritional information per 100 g for the specific loaves you’re thinking of buying.
Brands and supermarket ranges to explore
Albert Heijn
Supermarket chain with products including packaged Zaans wholemeal bread; its product information gives you useful details to compare labels.
- Albert Heijn lists 6.9 g of fibre and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g for AH Extra lang lekker Zaans volkoren heel. The ingredients include iodised salt.
- Ingredients and nutritional information can change. Check the packaging when you receive it, especially if allergens or iodised salt matter to your choice.
Jumbo
Supermarket chain with products including fine, tiger and seeded wholemeal bread.
- The varieties described give you a starting point for comparing a fine texture with a bread that has more bite.
- Check the packaging of your chosen loaf for the latest nutritional information and allergen details.
Lidl
Supermarket chain whose bread range includes fine wholemeal and rustic wholemeal sourdough.
- Lidl describes its fine wholemeal bread as an 800 g loaf.
- Compare fibre, salt, ingredients and allergens using the label on the loaf you choose.
ALDI
Supermarket chain with products including fine wholemeal bread and an extra-high-fibre wholemeal variety.
- According to ALDI, its extra-high-fibre wholemeal bread has 30% less salt and 30% more fibre than standard wholemeal bread, based on a comparison with NEVO-Online 2021 7.0.
- This comparison applies to the variety mentioned, not the entire range. Check the nutritional information for the loaf you’re buying.
PLUS
Supermarket chain that provides online information about its round, fine wholemeal bread.
- PLUS lists 6.7 g of fibre and 1.03 g of salt per 100 g for Rond fijn volkoren heel. The ingredients information includes wheat and barley.
- Product information can change. Check the packaging of your chosen variety for the latest ingredients and allergen details.
Dirk
Supermarket chain whose range includes a wholemeal bâtard loaf from Bakker van der Akker.
- The bâtard offers a different bread shape to consider for your weekend breakfast.
- Use the label on your chosen loaf to compare salt, fibre, ingredients and allergens.
Wholemeal options for weekend breakfasts on Joybuy
Below you’ll find Lebanese flatbread in a pack of six, as well as round wholemeal bread available as a single loaf or a pack of two. The shape of the bread and any preparation needed can help you decide which option suits your breakfast plans.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
An option if you’d prefer flatbread rather than sliced bread for your weekend breakfast.
The pack contains six pieces. If you have allergies, check the latest packaging for information about wheat, gluten and any other potential allergens.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
A round loaf for anyone who likes to plan breakfast in advance and has time to bake the bread before serving.
The loaf weighs 550 g. Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling before slicing. Compare fibre and salt using the nutritional information per 100 g on the current packaging, and check the allergen details there too.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g
The pack of two round loaves could suit you if you’re planning to buy a larger amount, provided you can use or store the second loaf too.
Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling. To compare nutritional values, check the information per 100 g on the current packaging and read the allergen details.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if bread is genuinely wholemeal?
Check whether ‘wholemeal’ appears in the product name or legal description. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; the colour of the bread alone doesn’t prove this.
Can I assume that wholemeal bread is gluten-free?
No. The term ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t mean that a product is gluten-free. For example, the wholemeal bread described by PLUS lists wheat and barley. Always check the latest ingredients list and allergen information for the variety you choose.
How should I store bread left over after the weekend?
It’s best to freeze any slices you don’t expect to eat within a few days straight away. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days, or in the freezer for 1–3 months.
Does all wholemeal bread contain iodised salt?
You can’t tell from the term ‘wholemeal’. The ingredients information for AH Extra lang lekker Zaans volkoren heel lists iodised salt; for any other bread, check the ingredients list for that specific variety.