Who is this choice for?

Families with fussy eaters

Looking for bread with a finer crumb to serve with Sunday roast, without immediately opting for white bread. Whether a loaf feels soft enough depends on the individual product.

Meal planners who want to choose wholemeal

Want to know whether the bread is fully wholemeal. According to the Voedingscentrum, the wholemeal label gives you a clearer answer than the brown colour.

Shoppers who read labels carefully

Check the ingredients and allergens of the bread they’ve chosen before buying. If you’re also looking out for baker’s salt, check the packaging or ask about it when buying loose bread.

What should you look for when choosing?

Fine wholemeal bread

A good fit if: you’re looking for a finer crumb and want to choose fully wholemeal bread.

Consider: having “fine” in the name doesn’t guarantee that every diner will find the texture soft.

Brown bread

A good fit if: you’re specifically choosing bread made with both wholemeal flour and white flour.

Consider: according to the Voedingscentrum, this blend isn’t the same as bread made entirely with wholemeal flour.

White bread

A good fit if: you want a separate option on the table for someone who doesn’t want the other types of bread.

Consider: white bread is made with white flour and isn’t a substitute for fully wholemeal bread.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Bread texture Check whether the crumb of a fine wholemeal loaf suits you; the name alone doesn’t tell you how soft it feels. If I don’t enjoy a coarse crumb with Sunday roast, I want to be able to choose a finer option. Texture is the top priority for around 43% of consumers.
Wholemeal labelling Check the product name: choose wholemeal if you want fully wholemeal bread, and brown bread for a blend of wholemeal flour and white flour. Even if a lighter loaf looks appealing, I want to be sure I’m choosing fully wholemeal bread. For around 43% of consumers, that certainty is the main thing.
Ingredients and labelling Read the allergen information and, if needed, check whether baker’s salt is listed among the ingredients. When specific ingredients determine my choice, I need to be able to check the label on that particular loaf. Around 14% of consumers put this first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming brown bread is fully wholemeal

    According to the Voedingscentrum, brown bread is made with wholemeal flour and white flour. So its colour doesn’t mean it’s made exclusively with wholemeal flour.

    Check the product name if fully wholemeal bread is essential to your choice.

  • Assuming all bread contains baker’s salt

    The Voedingscentrum says that using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. The type of bread alone won’t tell you whether it contains it.

    Check the ingredients list or ask which salt was used when buying loose bread.

  • Confusing wholemeal with gluten-free

    Wholemeal bread may contain gluten-containing grains. For example, PLUS lists wheat and barley as allergens in its Rond fijn volkoren.

    Check the current allergen information for each individual loaf; don’t rely on the wholemeal label.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a plan for the leftovers

    A whole loaf may be more than you need for one meal.

    Choose a suitable loaf size or check whether the product information says you can freeze the bread.

    Without a plan for the leftovers, bread may go uneaten.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Its online bread range includes AH Tijger volkoren and AH OerDesem volkoren Allinson, among other options.

  • Several named wholemeal options to compare individually.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the current label for each loaf.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes a Fijn Volkorenbrood made with wholemeal wheat flour, with baker’s salt listed among the ingredients.

  • The product information lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
  • Check the packaging of the loaf you buy for the latest ingredients.

ALDI

ALDI offers a Fijn Volkoren variety alongside other types of bread.

  • ALDI says its wholemeal breads are made with 100% wholemeal flour.
  • Check the ingredients and product name of the specific variety.

PLUS

PLUS describes Rond fijn volkoren as a wholemeal wheat loaf.

  • PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
  • PLUS lists wheat and barley as allergens for this variety; check the current packaging.

Dirk

Dirk offers, among other options, a Bakker van der Akker batard labelled wholemeal.

  • The product name gives you a specific wholemeal option to compare.
  • Check the ingredients and texture of the variety you choose individually.

Bread to serve with your meal on Joybuy

This round loaf is one option to serve with Sunday roast. Check the product name and ingredients if you’re specifically looking for a blend of wholemeal flour and white flour.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

A 550 g round loaf to serve with your meal.

Check the packaging to make sure the product name, ingredients and crumb match the type of bread you’re looking for. Also check the preparation instructions, allergens and whether it contains baker’s salt.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is brown bread the same as wholemeal bread?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made with 100% wholemeal flour, while brown bread is a blend of wholemeal flour and white flour. Check for the wholemeal label if this distinction affects your choice.

Does bread in the Netherlands have to be baked with baker’s salt?

No. The Voedingscentrum says that baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. Read the ingredients list for the bread you choose or ask about it when buying loose bread.

Is wholemeal bread automatically gluten-free?

No. Wholemeal bread may contain gluten-containing grains; for example, PLUS lists wheat and barley in its Rond fijn volkoren. So check the allergen information for the individual loaf.

What should I do with bread left over after Sunday roast?

Choose a suitable loaf size in advance or check whether you can freeze the leftovers. PLUS says its Boeren volkoren can be frozen on the day of purchase and recommends using it within one month; for other breads, follow the product information provided.