Who is this choice important for?

Fibre-conscious eaters

You want to be able to compare the fibre content of different breads when planning a meal. Check the nutrition information per 100 g: the amount per slice can give a different impression because slice weights vary.

World food night organisers

You’re looking for a type of bread that goes with the dishes: sliced bread for small open sandwiches, a whole loaf for a sharing board, or flatbread to serve with dips.

Shoppers who need to check ingredients

If allergens, salt or baker’s salt matter to you or your guests, the information for the specific loaf is what counts. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergen information must be made available for both packaged and unpackaged food. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bread is made with baker’s salt.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide how the bread will be served, then compare the nutrition information for the loaves that fit the bill. If a guest has a relevant allergy, checking the latest allergen information takes priority over that comparison.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Wholemeal and fibre Check that it is labelled wholemeal and compare fibre per 100 g, not just per slice. If I want to choose mainly by fibre content, I need a like-for-like figure on the label. Around 29% of consumers prioritise fibre content.
Type of bread Check whether the bread is sliced for appetisers, served whole or suitable for tearing as flatbread. For dips, I want bread I can share, while for open sandwiches I’d prefer slices. Around 29% of consumers say the type of bread is their first consideration.
Salt and baker’s salt Compare salt per 100 g and check separately whether baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients. If I need to watch my salt intake or want to know whether baker’s salt has been used, I want to be able to check this for the specific loaf. This label detail is a top priority for around 21% of consumers.
Allergens Read the label on packaged bread; ask for allergen information before buying unpackaged bread. When serving bread to guests with a relevant allergy, I need to know which allergens are listed for the product I’ve chosen. For around 21% of consumers, this is their first decision-making rule.

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between wholemeal bread, which is made with wholemeal flour, and brown bread. A name such as ‘multigrain’ does not, by itself, tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal. When comparing fibre, make sure you’re using the same basis: Jumbo lists 7.6 g of fibre per 100 g for its Fijn Volkorenbrood, while the nutrition information for other products needs to be checked individually.

The type of bread determines how you can serve it, but it doesn’t tell you how much fibre or salt it contains. You could choose a whole farmhouse wholemeal loaf for a sharing board. For hummus or other dips, Joybuy describes the Souq wholemeal flatbread as bread to tear and share. For either option, check the packaging if the ingredients matter to your guests.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming brown or multigrain means wholemeal

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, brown bread is not the same as wholemeal bread. The label ‘multigrain’ also does not, by itself, confirm that bread is wholemeal.

    Look specifically for the word ‘wholemeal’ when choosing wholemeal bread for your meal.

  • Assuming all wholemeal bread contains baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the use of baker’s salt is not compulsory. So you can’t tell whether it has been used from the colour of the bread or the word ‘wholemeal’ on the label.

    Check the ingredients on the packaging, or ask the seller if baker’s salt is relevant to your choice.

  • Comparing fibre per slice with fibre per 100 g

    Not all slices of bread weigh the same, so these figures don’t compare the same amount of bread.

    Use the figures per 100 g to compare products, then decide how much you want to serve.

  • Relying on the name when buying unpackaged bread

    The name or appearance doesn’t give you a complete picture of the allergens. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must also be available for unpackaged food.

    Ask for the allergen information for the bread you want to buy before you take it home.

Brands and ranges to help you choose

These ranges give you an idea of the types of bread available. Always compare the ingredients and nutrition information for the specific loaf you choose.

Albert Heijn

The range includes round wholemeal bread, wholemeal hearth loaves and tiger wholemeal varieties.

  • A choice of shapes and whole or half loaves gives you options for how to serve the bread.
  • Check the latest product information or packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutrition details.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers fine and coarse wholemeal loaves, round wholemeal loaves and varieties with seeds.

  • Jumbo lists 7.6 g of fibre per 100 g for its Fijn Volkorenbrood, making it possible to compare on a like-for-like basis.
  • The information for this loaf does not automatically apply to other Jumbo varieties.

Lidl

Lidl offers fine wholemeal bread and tiger wholemeal hearth loaves, among other options.

  • Lidl’s product information describes an 800 g Fijn volkorenbrood as a shop product.
  • For a comparison of fibre, salt and allergens, check the label on the loaf in store.

ALDI

ALDI offers fine and farmhouse wholemeal loaves, as well as a variety called Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood (extra high-fibre wholemeal bread).

  • The different varieties give you a starting point for comparing the type of bread and product-specific nutrition information.
  • Assess any fibre or salt claim for the specific variety and check the figures on the latest packaging.

PLUS

The range includes PLUS Boeren volkoren heel and rond fijn volkoren, among other products.

  • PLUS lists the ingredients, allergens, fibre and salt for Boeren volkoren heel, so you can assess the information for this loaf.
  • PLUS says that product information may change, so check the packaging when you buy it.

Dirk

Dirk offers Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren heel, among other products.

  • A whole farmhouse wholemeal loaf is worth considering if you want to serve bread on a sharing board.
  • Check the packaging for the ingredients, allergens and nutrition information for the loaf you choose.

Wholemeal flatbread at Joybuy

If you’re serving dips or dishes where guests can tear off pieces of bread, you could try this wholemeal flatbread. Compare it separately with sliced or whole wholemeal bread if you’re also serving open sandwiches or a sharing board.

Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces

Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces

For a meal with dips, Joybuy describes this wholemeal flatbread as bread to tear and eat.

Pack of 6. The product contains wheat and gluten and may contain soya and milk. Check the latest packaging if this is relevant to your guests. Also check the label if you want to know whether baker’s salt has been used.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I recognise wholemeal bread?

Check whether the bread is labelled wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread labelled this way is made with wholemeal flour; ‘brown’ and ‘multigrain’ are not, by themselves, alternative labels for wholemeal.

Does all wholemeal bread contain baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the use of baker’s salt is not compulsory. Read the ingredients on packaged bread, or ask whether it has been used when buying unpackaged bread.

How can I check allergens in bread for my guests?

For packaged bread, check the allergen information on the label. For unpackaged bread, ask before you buy it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how this information must be provided for both types of sale. Also check for any statement that the bread may contain other allergens if this is relevant to your guests.

When is wholemeal flatbread a good choice for a meal?

Wholemeal flatbread is a good choice when you want to serve bread that guests can tear and enjoy with dips. Joybuy describes Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat as suitable for this. Before buying, check the latest ingredients and allergen information for the product.