Wholemeal Bread for St Nicholas' Eve: Fine or Hearty?

Who is this choice relevant to?

Families with fussy eaters

If a coarse crumb is unpopular, finely milled wholemeal bread could be a good option for the table on St Nicholas’ Eve. Check the packaging to make sure the bread you choose is actually labelled wholemeal.

Bread buyers comparing fibre

For these shoppers, the nutritional information matters more than a texture like white bread. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread contains more fibre than white bread; compare individual loaves using the figures per 100 g.

Shoppers choosing for several guests

If guests need to avoid allergens, the current packaging should guide your choice. You can also check the ingredients, salt content and whether baker’s salt is listed.

What should you look for in wholemeal bread?

For St Nicholas’ Eve with fussy eaters, start by choosing a texture that suits your guests. Then check that the bread is labelled wholemeal and work out how much you need.

What to consider	What to check when buying	Who is this most important for?
Fine texture	Check whether the bread is finely milled wholemeal, and look at the crumb and any seeds; colour alone tells you little about its ingredients.	If coarse textures are often rejected at home, I want to choose bread that fussy eaters will enjoy too. For around 42% of consumers, texture is the top priority when making this choice.
Wholemeal and fibre	Check that it is labelled ‘wholemeal’ and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information.	I don’t just want bread that looks dark; I want to know whether the bread I choose is labelled wholemeal and what its nutritional value is. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Quantity and storage	Check the loaf size and storage instructions in case you have any bread left over.	When only a small group is eating, I want to avoid having a large loaf left over. For around 25% of consumers, this practical consideration matters most.

Common mistakes when choosing bread

Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal

A dark colour or a multigrain name doesn’t confirm that a loaf is wholemeal. The Voedingscentrum also explains that bread can be made from a mix of wholemeal flour and white flour.

If you specifically want wholemeal bread, check the product description and ingredients list instead of relying on the colour.
Ruling out finely textured bread straight away

A finer crumb doesn’t automatically mean that a loaf is made with white flour. For example, Lidl describes a loaf made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour; that description applies to that product, not to every finely textured loaf.

Compare the wholemeal labelling and fibre per 100 g of the loaves you’re considering.
Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt

According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. So don’t assume that every wholemeal loaf is made with it.

If the use of baker’s salt matters to your choice, read the label or ask about the ingredients if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
Choosing a whole loaf without planning for leftovers

If you’re feeding a small group, you may have bread left over, even if everyone enjoys the type you chose.

Choose a size that suits the number of people eating, and follow the product’s storage instructions if you want to freeze the bread.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Vloerbrood volkoren heel is an example of a wholemeal hearth-baked loaf for anyone looking to buy a whole loaf.

Albert Heijn states that this loaf contains more than 6 g of fibre per 100 g.
Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens, including sesame and cereals containing gluten.

Jumbo

Jumbo Fijn Volkoren is a sliced option for anyone looking for a fine wholemeal texture.

Jumbo states that this loaf contains 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g.
If you have an allergy, check the current packaging: the product information lists wheat and barley and also warns that other allergens may be present.

Lidl

Lidl highlights a kids’ loaf made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour as an example of a finer-textured wholemeal option.

Lidl says the loaf tastes like brown bread and contains as much fibre as wholemeal bread.
Don’t assume this product claim applies to other loaves; check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens on each pack.

ALDI

ALDI sells both Fijn Volkoren and a separate Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood option.

ALDI sells Fijn Volkoren as a sliced loaf.
Claims for Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood don’t automatically apply to Fijn Volkoren; compare the packaging of each option.

PLUS

PLUS Boeren volkoren heel is an option if you want to buy a whole loaf.

PLUS states that this loaf contains 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g.
If you have allergies, check the current packaging; the product information lists wheat, barley and soya, among other things, and warns that other allergens may be present.

Dirk

Dirk lists options including Vloerbrood volkoren heel and Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren heel.

Both are examples to consider if you’re looking for a whole wholemeal loaf.
Before choosing, compare the nutritional information and allergens for the specific loaf on its packaging.

Joybuy products: Lebanese bread

If you’re also considering Lebanese bread for St Nicholas’ Eve, take a look at this Souq option. The name includes ‘Whole Wheat’; check the packaging to make sure the product description and texture suit your preference for finely milled wholemeal bread.

Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat 6 P

This Lebanese bread is an option if you’d like to serve something different alongside your usual sandwiches. ‘Whole Wheat’ in the product name doesn’t by itself confirm that it meets the Dutch definition of ‘volkoren’ (wholemeal); check the texture, allergens and whether baker’s salt is listed on the current packaging too.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is bread made with white flour and wholemeal flour the same as wholemeal bread?

Not necessarily. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread can be made with white flour, wholemeal flour or a mix of the two. If you specifically want wholemeal bread for St Nicholas’ Eve, check the product description and ingredients list.

Are Dutch breads required to contain iodine-enriched baker’s salt?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. If its presence matters to your choice, check the ingredients list or ask which type of salt has been used when buying unpackaged bread.

How can I avoid having bread left over after St Nicholas’ Eve?

First choose a size that suits the number of people eating, then check the storage instructions. Albert Heijn and PLUS state that their wholemeal loaves mentioned here can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; follow the instructions for the bread you buy.

Which allergens should I check when several guests are eating?

Check the full allergen information for the bread you choose, including any warnings about possible traces. The product information for the Jumbo and PLUS loaves mentioned here shows that allergens other than wheat, including other cereals, may also be relevant. Always check the current packaging for the specific product.