Choose bread labelled as wholemeal, then compare the nutritional information per 100 g, the ingredients and the allergens. A finer wholemeal loaf may be a good fit if family members leave coarser bread uneaten. If fibre is your main priority, compare the fibre content of the specific loaves. Check whether iodised baker’s salt has been used if the iodine in bread is relevant to your household.
You’re looking for wholemeal bread for a family meal and want to look beyond the colour of the loaf or the grains you can see. The wholemeal label and nutritional information can help you compare the loaves you’re considering.
You’re looking for a wholemeal option with a finer texture because family members would rather not eat coarse bread. Check that the specific loaf is actually labelled as wholemeal.
You need to check the ingredients and allergens before serving bread. You can also check whether iodised baker’s salt has been used if that’s relevant to your choice.
Start with the wholemeal label. Then compare the texture and nutritional information of the loaves your family will actually want to eat, and check the label for any relevant ingredients before buying.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check for the wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g in similar loaves. | If fibre is the priority for a family meal, I don’t want to rely on a brown colour or visible grains alone. For around 37% of consumers, genuine wholemeal bread and its fibre content are the most important factors. |
| Taste and texture | Check whether the loaf is fine or coarse, and look for the wholemeal label even on a finer-textured loaf. | If family members leave coarse bread uneaten, I’m looking for a texture they’ll enjoy. Taste and texture are the first things around 27% of consumers consider. |
| Size and availability | Choose a whole or half loaf to suit your needs, and check the selected shop or ordering option. | If there’s often a whole loaf left over, I want to be able to choose a suitable size without changing my usual shopping routine. For around 18% of consumers, size and availability are the deciding factors. |
| Allergens and baker’s salt | Read the allergen information and, if relevant, check whether iodised baker’s salt is listed. | If someone at the table needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to be able to check this before buying. The salt used may also affect my choice. These labelling considerations are a priority for around 18% of consumers. |
A brown colour, seeds or the word multigrain don’t, on their own, tell you whether the grain ingredient is wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, bread labelled as wholemeal must contain 100% wholemeal flour as its grain ingredient.
Look for the wholemeal label first. Then compare the fibre per 100 g and the ingredients in the specific loaves.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. This is worth bearing in mind if the iodine in bread is relevant to your household.
Check which salt is used on the label, or ask about unwrapped bread. Don’t try to resolve the uncertainty by using more salt yourself.
The front of the pack doesn’t provide all the information you need to assess whether bread is suitable for someone with an allergy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the allergen information on the label and the information that must be available before purchase for unwrapped products.
Read the ingredients, allergen declaration and any cross-contamination warning. If the bread is unwrapped, ask for the allergen information before choosing it.
If your household won’t eat all the slices, a whole loaf may not fit your meal plan as well.
Consider a half loaf, or follow the storage instructions on the packaging if you’d like to freeze some.
Albert Heijn provides product information that can help you assess the ingredients in a specific wholemeal option.
Jumbo is an online supermarket where bread can be part of a larger grocery order.
Lidl lists a wholemeal kids’ bread made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour as an option for those looking for a finer texture.
ALDI offers a range of wholemeal breads in its fresh daily bakery selection, including whole and half loaves.
PLUS has an online wholemeal bread category and offers delivery and collection as ordering options.
At Dirk, you can search for specific wholemeal breads and then assess the option you’ve chosen.
Look for the wholemeal label, then check the ingredients and nutritional information. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, bread with this label must contain 100% wholemeal flour as its grain ingredient. The colour or the word multigrain is not a substitute.
No, not all wholemeal bread is made with iodised baker’s salt. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the label or, if the bread is unwrapped, ask which salt has been used.
Regular wholemeal bread isn’t necessarily suitable for someone with coeliac disease, as it may contain gluten-containing grains. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that people with coeliac disease need to follow a gluten-free diet. Check whether the specific loaf is labelled as gluten-free, and read the allergen information too.
Choose a half loaf if that better suits how much you’ll use. If you’d like to keep some of a whole loaf, follow the freezing and storage instructions on the packaging.
