Households comparing fibre content
You want to serve wholemeal bread with Christmas dinner, so you compare the wholemeal labelling and fibre per 100 g, rather than relying on the colour or name of the bread.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Hosts looking for bread to share
You’re serving bread with soup, dips, a starter or nibbles, and want a shape you can slice or share at the table.
Households shopping ahead
You’re buying bread before dinner and want to know how to store or freeze that particular variety until it’s time to serve.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide how you’ll serve the bread, then compare the labels of options in that format. A dark colour, multigrain recipe or sourdough style doesn’t, by itself, mean a loaf is wholemeal.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal content and fibre | Check the product description and ingredients list. Always compare fibre per 100 g. | I want to check that the bread really is wholemeal, rather than judge it by its dark colour. For around 40% of consumers, wholemeal content and fibre come first. |
| How it’s served | Choose between sliced bread for topped appetisers and a loaf you can share with soup or dips. | For sandwiches, I want slices that are easy to portion; for a starter, I’d rather be able to slice bread at the table. Around 30% of consumers prioritise how the bread is served. |
| Label and storage | Read the allergen information, compare salt per 100 g and, if relevant, check whether iodised salt is listed. If you’re buying ahead, follow the storage instructions. | If I’m buying ahead for guests, I want to check allergens, salt and storage instructions. Around 30% of consumers put these checks first. |
Common mistakes
-
Mistaking sourdough or multigrain bread for wholemeal
A bread style or dark colour doesn’t tell you whether the flour is wholemeal. You could end up choosing a different bread from the one you intended to compare for fibre.
Check the product description and ingredients list, then compare fibre per 100 g. Albert Heijn points out that spelt and sourdough breads, among others, aren’t always wholemeal.
-
Looking only at fibre
Breads also differ in salt and allergens. PLUS lists several gluten-containing cereals in its Korenlanders wholemeal baguette.
Compare salt content on the same basis, and check the allergen information on the packaging of the exact variety if you’re serving guests.
-
Buying bread early without a storage plan
Bread bought before Christmas dinner needs to be stored according to the product instructions until you’re ready to serve it.
Check the freezing or storage instructions before you buy. PLUS advises freezing Boeren volkoren heel on the day of purchase and using it within one month.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
AH Extra lang lekker Zaans volkoren heel is a sliced whole loaf for anyone looking to serve slices at a buffet or use them for sandwiches.
- Albert Heijn lists 62% wholemeal wheat flour, 6,9 g of fibre and 0,9 g of salt per 100 g, with iodised salt in the ingredients list.
- Check the current packaging for ingredients, nutritional information and allergens, as product details may change.
ALDI
ALDI stocks a wholemeal loaf for shoppers who want to take fibre and salt into account.
- The product description identifies the bread as wholemeal.
- Compare the fibre, salt and ingredients on the label of the loaf you buy.
PLUS
At PLUS, you can compare a whole loaf for slicing with a wholemeal sourdough baguette to share.
- PLUS lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g for Boeren volkoren heel; its Korenlanders wholemeal baguette has 6,5 g of fibre and 1,02 g of salt per 100 g.
- The Korenlanders baguette contains several gluten-containing cereals. Check the allergen information for the variety you choose when buying.
Lidl
Lidl describes a rustic wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf for anyone looking to serve bread with soup or nibbles.
- The product description identifies both the wholemeal wheat base and the sourdough style.
- For exact ingredients and allergens, check the label or ingredient information for this bread.
Dirk
Dirk describes Vloerbrood volkoren heel as an alternative if you want to serve a whole loaf with a more rustic shape.
- The product name makes clear that it’s a wholemeal artisan-style loaf sold whole.
- Check the packaging for fibre and salt per 100 g, as well as allergen information, before comparing it with other varieties.
Jumbo
At Jumbo, you can browse options such as fine wholemeal bread and wholemeal multigrain rolls, depending on the portions you want to serve.
- The different bread formats give you a choice between slices and individual rolls.
- Compare the ingredients, fibre, salt and allergens for each specific variety rather than assuming these are the same across the whole range.
Wholemeal bread for the table
These Joybuy products are suitable for bread you can share with dips or slice at the table. The two round loaves come in different pack sizes, so check the nutritional information and preparation instructions for each variety before choosing.
No image available
Souq Lebanese wholemeal bread, 6 pieces
A bread format to share with dips or as a starter.
If you’re serving guests, check the current allergen information on the packaging. If you’re buying ahead, check the storage instructions too.
No image available
Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread, 2 × 550 g
A round loaf to bake and slice at the table; the pack contains two 550 g loaves.
Check the defrosting and baking instructions, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g on the packaging you choose.
No image available
Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread, 550 g
A 550 g round loaf for anyone who wants to bake one loaf and slice it at the table.
Before buying, read the defrosting and baking instructions and check the allergens and nutritional values per 100 g for this variety.
Frequently asked questions
Is dark bread or sourdough automatically wholemeal?
No. A dark colour and descriptions such as sourdough, spelt or multigrain don’t guarantee that bread is wholemeal. Check the product description and ingredients list. If you’re looking for fully wholemeal bread, Albert Heijn recommends looking for wholemeal flour near the start of the list and checking that wheat flour isn’t included.
How do I compare the fibre in different breads?
Compare fibre per 100 g so that different bread formats are measured on the same basis. Albert Heijn lists 6,9 g per 100 g for AH Zaans volkoren; PLUS lists 6,5 g per 100 g for its Korenlanders wholemeal baguette. When buying, check the figures for the exact variety.
Does all wholemeal bread contain iodised salt?
You can’t tell from the wholemeal description alone. Check the ingredients list of the bread you choose for iodised salt or baker’s salt; Albert Heijn specifically lists iodised salt for AH Zaans volkoren.
Which allergens should I check if I’m serving guests?
Read the allergen information on the exact packaging before serving the bread. PLUS Korenlanders wholemeal baguette lists wheat, rye, barley and spelt, among other allergens; ingredients and warnings may differ for other breads.
Can I freeze wholemeal bread before Christmas dinner?
Yes, if the instructions for the product you choose allow it. For Boeren volkoren heel, PLUS advises freezing it on the day of purchase and using it within one month. Follow the instructions on the packaging for any other variety.