Who is this relevant for?

Everyday bread buyers

You’re looking for sliced wholemeal bread for breakfast and lunch, and want to know whether the slices suit your fillings and the way you take your bread with you.

Shoppers comparing labels

You look beyond words such as ‘fine’ or ‘rustic’ and compare the ingredients, allergens, fibre and salt content per 100 g of specific loaves.

Households making bread last several days

You want to buy the right amount and be able to freeze any slices you won’t use straight away.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the wholemeal label and the ingredients. Then consider whether the slices suit your everyday needs, and choose a quantity that matches how much bread you eat.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal and nutritional value Read the product description and ingredients. Compare fibre per 100 g on the nutrition table. If I eat wholemeal bread every day, I want to know what’s in it rather than judge it by its appearance. Around 36% of consumers make this label comparison their top priority.
Slice and texture Look at the actual slices and decide whether their shape, crust and texture will work with your fillings. For lunch, I want a sandwich that’s easy to fill and take with me. Around 29% of consumers put practical slices first.
Salt and allergens Compare salt per 100 g and check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific loaf. If I need to watch out for certain ingredients, I don’t want to rely on the bread’s name alone. Around 21% of consumers make this their top priority.
Freshness and quantity Choose a whole or half loaf to suit how much you eat, and read the storage instructions on the packaging. I don’t always get through a whole loaf quickly, and I want the last few slices to stay edible. For around 14% of consumers, planning how much to buy matters most.

Common mistakes

  • Relying on words such as fine, rustic or artisan

    These words alone don’t tell you how much fibre or salt a specific loaf contains.

    Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and read the ingredients and allergen information before choosing based on taste and texture.

  • Assuming medium-sliced always means the same thickness

    A label on the packaging won’t always tell you how the sandwich will work with your fillings.

    Look at the slices in store, ask how the loaf is cut or try one loaf first.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a plan for the last few slices

    If you use fewer slices than expected, the bread may dry out or go mouldy.

    Choose a half loaf if that better suits how much you eat, or freeze some in portions soon after buying it.

Brands to compare

These examples show the product information you can compare across different bread ranges. Before buying, check the current packaging and how the loaf is sliced.

Albert Heijn

An example of rustic wholemeal bread alongside more finely sliced varieties.

  • Albert Heijn describes AH Liefde & Passie Volkoren as bread made with wheat sourdough, cracked wheat and oat flakes.
  • Check the ingredients and actual slices of the current variety; this description doesn’t apply to the entire range.

Jumbo

A fine-textured wholemeal loaf whose nutritional values per 100 g you can check.

  • Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre and 1,00 g of salt per 100 g for Fijn Volkoren.
  • Check the slices of the loaf you’re buying; ‘fine’ doesn’t mean a specific thickness.

Lidl

A retailer with, among other options, a bread described by Lidl as made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.

  • Lidl highlights the fine milling as a feature of its kids’ bread.
  • Check the ingredients, nutritional information and slicing for each loaf; features of this range don’t automatically apply to other Lidl breads.

Aldi

A brand where you can look at finely sliced wholemeal bread and separate extra-high-fibre wholemeal varieties.

  • Aldi describes Fijn Volkoren as sliced bread and also lists a separate Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood.
  • Compare the current nutritional information for each variety separately; the name doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are.

Plus

An example with nutritional and allergen information for a fine-textured wholemeal loaf.

  • For Rond fijn volkoren, PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g, and names wheat and barley as allergens.
  • Read the packaging when you buy it: ingredients and nutritional information can change.

Dirk

A retailer where you can compare different types of wholemeal bread.

  • Dirk’s range overview includes half loaves of farmhouse wholemeal bread and square wholemeal bread.
  • Check the label and slices of the specific loaf to decide whether it suits everyday use.

Related products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are medium-sliced wholemeal loaves always the same thickness?

No. Don’t assume the slices will be a set thickness based on that description. Look at the loaf yourself or try one pack if slice thickness matters for your fillings or lunchbox.

How do I compare fibre and salt in two wholemeal loaves?

Compare both values per 100 g on the nutrition tables. The Voedingscentrum recommends using this basis for comparison; values per slice may be less useful if the slices don’t weigh the same.

What does ‘bakers’ salt’ mean on a bread label?

Overheid.nl defines bakers’ salt as iodised table salt used in bread and other bakery products. Check the ingredients list for the specific loaf to see which type of salt it contains.

How should I store sliced wholemeal bread so it lasts for several days?

It’s best to freeze slices you won’t use soon in portions. The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard or 1–3 months in the freezer; follow the instructions on the packaging too.