Households keeping an eye on fibre
If you’re looking for wholemeal bread for breakfast or lunch, you’ll want to know whether a loaf is actually labelled wholemeal and how much fibre it contains per 100 g.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Households that care about texture
A fine or coarser texture can influence which bread gets eaten at home. Choosing the texture you prefer is separate from checking that the bread is labelled ‘wholemeal’.
Shoppers who read labels carefully
If salt, allergens or baker’s salt are specific requirements for your purchase, check the information for the loaf you’ve chosen rather than relying on the type of bread alone.
What should you look for in wholemeal bread?
First check that the bread is labelled wholemeal. Then compare the nutritional information and choose a loaf that suits how you’ll use it at home.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare the fibre per 100 g in the loaves you’re considering. | For my everyday sandwiches, I want to know whether the bread is wholemeal and how much fibre it contains. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Texture and size | Choose between fine or coarser bread, and a whole or half loaf to suit how much your household uses. | If texture determines which bread gets eaten at home, I also want to be able to choose a suitable size; around 33% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Salt, allergens and baker’s salt | Compare the salt per 100 g, read the allergen information and, if necessary, check whether baker’s salt is listed among the ingredients. | If I have a specific concern about salt, allergens or baker’s salt, I want to be able to assess the loaf I’ve chosen before buying it. This check comes first for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking dark or multigrain bread for wholemeal bread
Colour, grains and seeds don’t tell you on their own what type of flour the bread is made from. The Voedingscentrum distinguishes wholemeal bread from brown bread, which is made with a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour.
Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label if you specifically want to buy wholemeal bread.
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Assuming a special variety is representative of all wholemeal bread
A claim about extra fibre or less salt applies to that particular product, not automatically to other loaves from the same supermarket.
For the loaves you’re considering, compare fibre and salt on the same basis: per 100 g.
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Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt is not compulsory. So the type of bread alone won’t tell you whether it has been used in your loaf.
Check the ingredients, or ask about it when buying unpackaged bread if baker’s salt is a requirement for you.
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Skipping the allergen information
The ‘wholemeal’ label doesn’t tell you about every ingredient or possible allergen. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must be shown on the label of prepacked products.
Read the allergen information for the packaged loaf you’ve chosen. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask for the information relevant to your needs.
Supermarket brands to consider
These bread ranges give you an idea of the types of wholemeal bread you might come across. Always assess the ingredients and nutritional information for each product individually.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s bread range includes round wholemeal bread and wholemeal hearth-baked loaves.
- The different types of loaf give you options when choosing a texture and size.
- Check the current packaging for the loaf you’ve chosen, and whether it’s available at your local store.
Lidl
Lidl lists a fine-textured wholemeal loaf weighing 800 g and uses a fibre rating on its packaged loaves.
- Fine-textured wholemeal bread is worth considering if you prefer a finer texture.
- To compare fibre and salt, use the nutritional information per 100 g for the specific loaf.
Aldi
As well as standard wholemeal bread, ALDI Netherlands offers a variety it describes as extra-high-fibre wholemeal bread.
- If you’re considering this variety, you can compare its nutritional information with that of standard wholemeal bread.
- A product-specific description doesn’t automatically apply to other ALDI loaves.
Plus
PLUS lists nutritional values and allergen information for its round fine-textured wholemeal loaf.
- For this specific variety, PLUS’s product information lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g.
- Check the packaging when you buy it, as ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change.
Dirk
Dirk’s range includes a wholemeal hearth-baked loaf.
- If you’re looking for a hearth-baked loaf, you can include this type of bread when comparing texture and size.
- Check the label on the specific loaf for fibre, salt and allergens.
A related bread choice at Joybuy
This flatbread, labelled Whole Wheat, is intended for a different way of eating than a whole supermarket loaf. If you’re specifically looking for bread labelled ‘wholemeal’ in Dutch, check the ingredients and packaging before you choose.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat 6 P
For anyone looking for flatbread rather than a whole loaf for sandwiches. Check the flour description, nutritional information and allergens on the packaging. Also check for baker’s salt if it matters to your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is brown bread the same as wholemeal bread?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, while brown bread is made with a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour. Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label if that’s the type of bread you’re after.
How do I compare the fibre and salt in two loaves?
Compare the values per 100 g on the nutritional information for both loaves. A value per slice or per portion is less useful for a direct comparison if the portions don’t weigh the same.
Does wholemeal bread always contain baker’s salt?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, baker’s salt is not compulsory. Check the ingredients or ask about it when buying unpackaged bread if its presence matters to you.
Where can I find allergen information for bread?
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information appears on the label of prepacked bread. Read the information for the loaf you want to buy. For unpackaged bread, ask about the relevant ingredients and allergens.