Who might this choice matter to?

Fussy eaters looking to try fine wholemeal bread

If you’re not keen on a coarse texture, fine wholemeal bread could be a good place to start. Check the packaging to make sure the bread is actually described as wholemeal.

People living alone who eat small portions

If you only have a few slices with each meal, choosing a suitable loaf size or freezing portions can help you waste less bread. The Voedingscentrum recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it.

Shoppers who want to compare labels

If you have questions about ingredients, nutritional values or allergens, the current packaging matters more than the bread’s name alone. Compare nutritional values on the same basis, such as per 100 g.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide what sort of texture you’d like and whether the product description matches what you’re looking for in wholemeal bread. Then consider how much you’ll use, along with the latest nutritional information and ingredients.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Texture and wholemeal description Check whether the product description says wholemeal and whether the texture sounds right for you. Don’t judge whether bread is wholemeal by its colour. I’m more likely to leave coarse bread on the shelf, but I still want to know whether my finer-textured choice is wholemeal. Texture is the top priority for around 33% of consumers making this choice.
Portion size Check whether the variety you want is available as a half loaf, or choose sliced bread that you can freeze in portions straight away. If I only eat a few slices, I want to avoid leaving the rest of the loaf uneaten. Managing portions is the main buying concern for around 27% of consumers.
Nutritional information Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and check the ingredients list for light or mixed bread too. I want to compare types of bread like for like, rather than choosing by appearance. Nutritional information matters most to around 20% of consumers.
Allergens and ingredients Read the current allergen information, including any statements about possible traces. Check the ingredients if baker’s salt is relevant to your choice. If I have a food allergy, I don’t want to rely on a familiar bread name alone. Current ingredient and allergen information is the main buying concern for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing colour or multigrain with wholemeal

    A light or dark colour doesn’t tell you whether bread is wholemeal. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain means that several types of grain are used; it doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal flour.

    Check the product description and ingredients, then compare the fibre per 100 g if you wish.

  • Buying more bread than you’ll use

    A whole loaf may be too much for one person if you only eat a few slices now and then.

    Choose a half loaf if your preferred variety is available that way, or freeze sliced bread in small portions as soon as you buy it.

  • Assuming allergens from the bread’s name

    The name doesn’t tell you which ingredients or allergens a particular variety contains. The recipe may also have changed since you last bought it.

    Check the current packaging every time you buy it, including the list of ingredients and any information about possible traces.

Brands to compare

These supermarket brands offer options for comparing types and sizes of bread. A loaf in their range isn’t automatically a mix of white and wholemeal bread.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists a range of breads online, including wholemeal bread.

  • You can compare the product descriptions of individual breads.
  • Check the ingredients, size and current packaging for each loaf you’re considering.

Jumbo

Jumbo publishes product information for its Fine Wholemeal bread.

  • For this specific variety, Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g, as well as the ingredients and storage information.
  • This information applies to that variety; a fine texture doesn’t confirm that it’s a mix of white and wholemeal bread.

Lidl

Lidl lists an 800 g fine wholemeal loaf as a store product.

  • The stated weight can help you decide whether a whole loaf suits how much you use.
  • Check the packaging in store for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.

ALDI

ALDI describes a sliced fine wholemeal loaf.

  • You can freeze sliced bread in the portions you need as soon as you buy it.
  • Check the packaging for the current ingredients and nutritional information for this variety.

PLUS

For its Round Fine Wholemeal bread, PLUS provides nutritional and allergen information.

  • The information lets you compare values per 100 g and check the allergens listed.
  • PLUS says product information can change, so check the packaging when you buy it too.

Dirk

Dirk’s bread range includes whole and half wholemeal loaves.

  • A half loaf is worth considering if you only have a few slices with each meal.
  • Check the ingredients and availability of the variety you want to buy.

Products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is fine wholemeal bread the same as light mixed bread?

No. A finer texture and a light appearance don’t, by themselves, tell you the same thing about a bread’s ingredients. Check the product description and ingredients for both types of bread, and compare nutritional values per 100 g if they’re important to your choice.

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain describes the use of several types of grain. Check separately whether the product description says wholemeal.

How should I store bread if I live alone?

Freeze bread in portions as soon as you buy it, and take out what you need for each meal. The Voedingscentrum also recommends this storage method for fibre-enriched white bread; check the packaging for storage instructions for other products.

Where can I check the allergens in bread?

Read the current allergen information on the packaging for the specific loaf, even if you’ve bought it before. For example, PLUS lists wheat and barley for its Round Fine Wholemeal bread; that product information doesn’t tell you which allergens are in another variety.

Does baker’s salt tell me how much iodine is in a slice of bread?

No. The mention of baker’s salt in the ingredients list doesn’t tell you how much iodine is in each slice. Ask the baker or manufacturer about the ingredients of the specific loaf if you need this information to make your choice.