If you want to choose the thickness of your lunch slices, pick a whole loaf and ask for thick slices or cut it yourself. Pre-sliced wholemeal bread saves you time, but check that the slices suit your filling: the words ‘coarse’ and ‘thick cut’ don’t, on their own, indicate a set slice thickness. Also check that the bread is actually labelled wholemeal.
If you want to match the thickness of your slices to your filling, a whole loaf gives you the option to cut it yourself or ask for thick slices at the bakery counter. Albert Heijn and PLUS list whole, coarse wholemeal options; check the thickness of the slices for yourself.
Pre-sliced wholemeal bread saves you the effort of cutting when you need to make lunch in a hurry. ALDI explicitly states that its Fijn Volkoren bread is sliced. Check the slices before you choose, especially if you use plenty of filling.
Start by checking that it is labelled ‘wholemeal’, then compare the fibre and salt content on the current packaging. Use the same unit for each loaf, such as per 100 g, so differences in serving size don’t skew the comparison.
First decide whether you want to choose the slice thickness yourself or have bread that’s ready to spread. Then check the wholemeal label, the nutritional information and how much bread you’ll need for your lunches.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness and filling | Check whether you can slice a whole loaf yourself or ask for thick slices; see how the slice works with your filling. | If I’m using a generous or moist filling, I want to choose the thickness myself. Around 33% of consumers put control over slice thickness first. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare the fibre content on the label using the same unit. | When I’m choosing bread for several lunches, I want to know what the packaging says about wholemeal and fibre. For around 33% of consumers, this is their top priority. |
| Ready to use | Check whether the bread is sliced and whether the slices are the thickness you want. | On a busy day, I want to make lunch without having to slice the bread. Around 22% of consumers put this convenience first. |
| Storage | Work out how many slices you need and whether you can freeze some of the loaf. | If I only use a few slices from a whole loaf, I want to avoid leaving the rest unused. Around 12% of consumers make this their top priority. |
Coarse describes a type of bread, not a set slice thickness. Even with coarse bread, a pre-cut slice may be thinner or thicker than you’d like for your filling.
Choose a whole loaf if you want to control the thickness. Ask about slicing options or cut it yourself at home.
The colour and visible grains don’t, on their own, tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, packaged wholemeal bread is labelled ‘wholemeal’.
Check the label on the packaging. If the bread is unwrapped, ask what type it is.
Albert Heijn and PLUS point out that product information, including ingredients and allergens, can change. That’s why it’s important to check the current packaging of the bread you’re actually buying for lunch.
Check the label before use, especially if an ingredient or allergen affects your choice.
Slicing a loaf yourself is handy for controlling the thickness, but you may not use every slice within a few days. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage guide recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months.
Freeze any bread you won’t use within a few days in good time.
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Boeren coarse wholemeal bread, whole loaf.
Jumbo lists both coarse and fine wholemeal options.
PLUS lists Grof volkoren heel as a whole-loaf option.
ALDI lists sliced Fijn Volkoren bread and a separate wholemeal loaf labelled as high in fibre.
Lidl lists Fijn volkoren as an 800 g loaf, as well as a separate wholemeal boule.
Dirk lists Vloerbrood volkoren heel.
These two round loaves are designed to be sliced at home after baking. They’re a good choice if you want to choose the slice thickness and have time to defrost, bake and cool the bread. Check that the slices are sturdy enough for your filling and look for the wholemeal label on the packaging.
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For anyone who wants to cut slices to size after baking. Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling. Check the wholemeal label and nutritional information on the packaging, and see whether the slice suits your filling.
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For anyone who wants to choose the slice thickness after baking. The bread needs to be defrosted, baked and cooled first. Follow the baking instructions on the current packaging, and check the wholemeal label and nutritional information there too. Make sure the slice is sturdy enough for your filling.
No. ‘Coarse’ doesn’t indicate a set slice thickness. If you want thick slices for a generous filling, check how the bread has actually been sliced or choose a whole loaf that you can cut yourself.
For packaged bread, look for the ‘wholemeal’ label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says this label must appear on packaged wholemeal bread; don’t rely solely on a dark colour or coarse texture.
Compare the nutritional information for each loaf using the same unit, and check the weight of a slice. As a general guide, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 3,4 g of fibre and 0,48 g of salt for a 50 g slice of wholemeal bread cut at home. The values for the bread you buy are shown on the current packaging.
Freeze any slices you won’t use within a few days in good time. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage guide recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months.
No. Don’t assume that a particular loaf contains iodine just because baker’s salt exists. If the type of salt used matters to you, check the product information or ask the baker.
