Who is this relevant for?

Families keeping an eye on fibre

Want to replace white bread with wholemeal bread at family dinners. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain products contain more fibre than white grain products.

Families getting used to wholemeal bread

Are looking for bread labelled wholemeal but prefer a finer texture. Lidl describes a finely milled wholemeal option, although the taste and texture vary from loaf to loaf.

Families who need to check allergens

Want to know which ingredients and allergens are in the bread before buying it. This is particularly important if someone in the family has coeliac disease or a wheat or sesame allergy.

What should you look for when choosing?

Wholemeal bread

Choose this if: fibre is the main reason you want to replace white bread at mealtimes.

Bear in mind: the taste and texture may be different from the white bread your family is used to.

White bread

Choose this if: familiar taste and texture matter more for this meal than your fibre goal.

Bear in mind: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, white grain products contain less fibre than wholegrain products.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fibre Look for the wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. If I’m replacing white bread to get more fibre on the table, the type of bread is my first consideration. Around 50% of consumers prioritise their fibre needs.
Taste and texture Check whether the bread is described as fine wholemeal and whether it contains seeds or has a firm crust. If my family isn’t keen on coarse-textured bread, I want a wholemeal option we’ll enjoy with our meal. Around 30% of consumers say this acceptance is their top priority.
Ingredients and allergens For packaged bread, read the label; for unpackaged bread, ask about allergens, including those in seeds or decorations. If someone at the table needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the bread I choose. Around 20% of consumers put this check first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal

    The colour of the bread and visible grains don’t tell you whether all the grain ingredient is wholemeal flour. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority uses this as a criterion when checking products sold as wholemeal.

    Look for the explicit wholemeal label, then check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.

  • Comparing fibre per slice without accounting for portion size

    A thick slice and a thin slice aren’t a like-for-like comparison. For example, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 3.4 g of fibre for a 50 g slice of wholemeal bread cut at home.

    Compare loaves per 100 g, then use the value per slice to assess your own portion.

  • Assuming wholemeal bread is suitable for every allergy

    The wholemeal label doesn’t tell you whether a bread is suitable for someone with coeliac disease or an allergy. Depending on the bread, seeds or decorations such as sesame may also be relevant.

    For packaged bread, check the allergen information on the label; for unpackaged bread, ask for this information before buying.

  • Relying only on product information you’ve seen before

    Albert Heijn and PLUS point out that the ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information for bread can change.

    Read the packaging of the bread you’re actually buying, especially when an ingredient or allergen is an important part of your decision.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has an online wholemeal bread category, including its own-brand options.

  • The category includes a range of wholemeal breads.
  • Albert Heijn says that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change, so check the packaging of the bread you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo has an online wholemeal bread category, including a Boeren Tijger wholemeal option.

  • The category offers wholemeal options to compare using product information.
  • General information about wholemeal, brown and white bread doesn’t replace the nutritional information for the option you choose.

Lidl

Lidl lists a wholemeal roll in its fresh-from-the-oven range and publishes information about ingredients and allergens.

  • The fresh-from-the-oven range overview helps you check ingredients and allergens.
  • Check the range and the latest product information at the shop where you’re buying.

Aldi

Aldi’s daily fresh range includes fine wholemeal bread and Extra High Fibre Wholemeal Bread.

  • These options give you a starting point for comparing texture and nutritional information.
  • Check the current packaging when assessing claims about a particular option.

PLUS

PLUS lists wholemeal bread online, including Boeren wholemeal and fine wholemeal options.

  • The range lets you choose between different types and textures of bread.
  • PLUS says product information can change, so check the packaging for ingredients and allergens.

Dirk

As well as white bread, Dirk lists wholemeal bread, including a wholemeal bâtard and hearth loaf.

  • These bread types offer different ways to serve wholemeal bread with a meal.
  • Check the latest ingredients and nutritional information for the option you choose.

Wholemeal bread to serve with your meal

This wholemeal flatbread is an option if you want to replace white bread when serving dips with a meal. Check the packaging of your chosen option against your requirements for ingredients and allergens.

Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 P

Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 P

A wholemeal option if you want to serve bread with dips or as part of a meal to share.

Check the latest packaging for ingredients and allergens, especially if anyone at the table needs to avoid wheat, gluten or possible traces of soya or milk.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is brown bread the same as wholemeal bread?

No. Brown bread isn’t automatically wholemeal. When checking products sold as wholemeal, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority checks whether all the grain ingredient is wholemeal flour. So look for the wholemeal label.

Is standard wholemeal bread suitable for people with coeliac disease?

Not necessarily. Wholemeal bread can contain grains that contain gluten. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies gluten as relevant for people with coeliac disease, so check the ingredients and labels on the specific bread rather than relying on the term wholemeal.

How do I check allergens in unpackaged bread?

Ask for the allergen information for the specific bread before buying it. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, consumers must be given this information for unpackaged products in a way other than on a label.

Does all bread contain iodine?

Don’t assume it does. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread as a source of iodine, and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says iodine compounds may be present in bread through bakers’ salt. If iodine matters to your purchasing decision, ask for information about the bread you’ve chosen.

What if the online product page doesn’t match the packaging?

Check the packaging of the bread you’re actually buying. Albert Heijn and PLUS say that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change.