For a small bread top-up, first choose bread that is explicitly labelled wholemeal: according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, the grain ingredient in a product labelled this way must consist entirely of wholemeal flour. Then compare similar breads per 100 g for fibre and salt, and check the allergen information. Choose a size you can use in time, or check whether the bread can be frozen according to the product guidance.
If you’re buying bread for breakfast or lunch, you can compare the fibre per 100 g in breads labelled wholemeal. The nutritional information for Jumbo Fijn Volkoren and PLUS Rond fijn volkoren shows that the amount varies from product to product.
If you won’t get through a whole loaf quickly, its size and whether it can be frozen are important. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread among the products that are wasted relatively often; follow the freezing advice for the specific product.
If you need this information, compare the salt per 100 g in similar breads and read the ingredients and allergen information for the bread you choose. The type of bread alone won’t tell you enough.
Start with the wholemeal label, then compare the nutritional information for specific breads and decide how much you can use or store. A fine texture or a claim on the front of the pack is no substitute for these checks.
| What to look for | What should you check? | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal label | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the bread and read the ingredients list. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, the grain ingredient in a product labelled this way must consist entirely of wholemeal flour. | I don’t want to judge by colour or seeds when buying bread in a hurry; I want to know what kind of bread I’m buying. For an estimated 42% of consumers, confidence that a product is wholemeal comes first. |
| Fibre and salt | Compare similar breads for fibre and salt per 100 g. Check whether the chosen product makes a claim about extra fibre or less salt. | When choosing between wholemeal varieties, I want to weigh up the fibre content without losing sight of the salt content. This comparison is the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Size and storage | Check whether a half loaf is available, and read the storage and freezing advice for a whole loaf. | If I only need bread for a few meals, I don’t want to buy more than I can use or store. The right size is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
Check allergens separately on the current packaging, even after you’ve chosen a type and size of bread.
A dark colour, seeds or the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you whether the grain ingredient consists entirely of wholemeal flour.
Look for the wholemeal label and read the ingredients list for the bread you want to buy.
A claim about extra fibre or less salt applies to that particular product, not automatically to other breads from the same brand.
Compare the nutritional information for similar breads per 100 g, and read the claim on the current packaging.
If you’re only buying a small amount, you may have some of a whole loaf left over. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread among the products that are wasted relatively often.
Choose a half loaf if that’s enough, or check whether and how you can freeze the whole loaf you’ve chosen.
A name such as ‘wholemeal’ or ‘rye bread’ doesn’t give you the full ingredients and allergen information for a specific product.
Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including details of possible cross-contamination if that’s relevant to you.
Albert Heijn provides online product information for items including AH Vloerbrood volkoren heel.
Jumbo has an online wholemeal bread category featuring products such as Fijn Volkoren.
ALDI’s fresh daily bread range includes several wholemeal varieties, including fijn volkoren.
PLUS lists several wholemeal breads online, including Rond fijn volkoren heel.
Dirk lists wholemeal bread and varieties from Bakker van der Akker in its online bread range.
Lidl lists products including fijn volkoren and Kids wholemeal bread in its product information.
These bread options come in different sizes and varieties, making them worth considering for a small top-up. For each option, check the current wholemeal labelling, nutritional information and allergens. For rye bread or a product with an English name, don’t rely on the name alone.
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A flatbread option if you’d like a pack with individual breads. Before buying, check the current ingredients, allergen information and storage instructions.
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A rye bread option if you’d like to spread your bread over several meals. Check the current packaging to see whether the bread is labelled wholemeal, and read the allergen information.
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A whole loaf to consider if you’d like to save some bread for later. Follow the stated thawing and baking instructions. Compare fibre and salt only after checking the values and what they’re based on the packaging.
Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the product. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, the grain ingredient in a food labelled this way must consist entirely of wholemeal flour. Also read the ingredients list for the bread you’re buying.
Compare similar breads per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, this makes it easier to compare nutritional information when portion sizes differ.
Don’t assume that a specific bread does. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread as an important source of iodine; when buying, check the ingredient information, including whether baker’s salt is mentioned.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the specific bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed on the label, so don’t rely on a name such as ‘wholemeal’ or ‘rye bread’ alone.
See if a half loaf will be enough, or choose a whole loaf that you can freeze according to the product guidance. For example, Albert Heijn says AH Vloerbrood volkoren heel can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; follow the storage advice for other breads.
