First, choose a loaf labelled wholemeal, then check the nutrition information, allergens and how much you can use. Fresh sourdough suits those who appreciate its flavour and crust; sliced bread or ready-to-bake portions can be more practical if you want to store or prepare smaller amounts. Sourdough alone doesn’t tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal.
You eat bread regularly and want to be able to identify and compare wholemeal options. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as a source of fibre, vitamins and minerals. To compare different loaves, check the nutrition information per 100 g.
You’re looking for the flavour of sourdough, but also want a crust and crumb you enjoy eating. Check separately whether the bread is wholemeal.
You don’t want to prepare or defrost more bread than you’ll use. A smaller loaf, sliced bread or individual bake-at-home portions may fit your plans better.
With wholemeal sourdough, both the label and the product format matter. Fresh bakery bread, sliced bread and ready-to-bake products each call for a different approach to buying and storing.
Best for: anyone who wants to choose a loaf with their preferred crust and crumb.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to visit a shop; Jumbo and Lidl say their sourdough products mentioned here are only available in store.
Best for: anyone who wants to take out individual slices or freeze the bread according to the product instructions.
Bear in mind: check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens, even if you buy the same loaf regularly.
Best for: anyone who wants to bake a smaller number of rolls at a time; the Dutch Bakery pack described by PLUS contains four portions.
Bear in mind: you’ll need an oven, time to bake and the storage instructions for after opening.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutrition information. | If I’m specifically looking for wholemeal bread, I don’t want to rely on the word sourdough alone. For around 40% of consumers, wholemeal and fibre information come first. |
| Flavour and ease of eating | Consider whether the crust and crumb suit your preferences; ask about the bread in store if you need to. | I like a pronounced sourdough flavour, as long as the crust is comfortable to eat. Around 30% of consumers put flavour and ease of eating first. |
| Portions and storage | Check the quantity, number of portions and instructions for freezing or storing after opening. | In a small household, I want to use bread without preparing too much at once. For around 20% of consumers, portion size and ease of storage matter most. |
| Salt and allergens | Read the current allergen information and salt content per 100 g; check the ingredients if the type of salt matters to you. | If I have a specific dietary requirement, I need to know what’s in the bread rather than rely on a general assumption about the type of loaf. Salt and allergens come first for around 10% of consumers. |
Sourdough describes how the bread is leavened, not which parts of the grain were used to make the flour. So a sourdough loaf may not be suitable if you’re looking for wholemeal bread.
Check the wholemeal label and the ingredients. If you like, compare the fibre per 100 g as well.
A firm, crisp crust may look appealing, but it may not be enjoyable to eat if you prefer softer bread.
Check the crust and crumb in store, or start with a smaller loaf if you’re unsure.
The name wholemeal sourdough doesn’t tell you which allergens or type of salt are listed for a specific product. For example, Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren.
Check the current label when you buy it. If you have a medical dietary requirement, follow personalised advice rather than making a general assumption about bread.
A large loaf won’t necessarily suit a small household or a changing appetite.
Consider whether a smaller loaf, sliced bread or bake-at-home portions would better suit the way you eat, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren is one example for anyone looking for sliced wholemeal sourdough with nutrition information provided.
Jumbo describes a range of rustic sourdough loaves for anyone who enjoys choosing their bread in store.
Lidl explicitly describes its Rustiek volkoren desembrood as a wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf.
PLUS offers both a smaller wholemeal sourdough loaf and individual bake-at-home portions.
These two Lekhaven Bakkerij options are for anyone shopping for wholemeal bread who can plan for defrosting, baking and cooling. Choose an amount that suits your household and the storage space you have available.
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A single loaf may suit you if you don’t want to buy a larger quantity straight away.
Contents: 550 g. Allow time to defrost, bake in an oven and cool. Check the packaging for allergens and nutrition information per 100 g.
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Two loaves may suit you if you want to spread the quantity across several occasions and have enough storage space.
Contents: two 550 g loaves. Allow time to defrost, bake in an oven and cool. Check the current packaging for allergens and nutrition information per 100 g.
No. Sourdough describes the method used to make the bread rise, while wholemeal refers to the grain used. Check whether the bread is labelled wholemeal and read the ingredients when comparing products.
No. The product examples mentioned here include wheat and other cereals containing gluten. If you need to avoid gluten or wheat, check the current allergen information for the specific product and follow personalised medical advice.
Don’t assume so. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren, but that doesn’t tell you anything about another loaf. Check the ingredients of the product you’re buying.
Choose an amount you can use or store according to the packaging. A smaller loaf, sliced bread or individual bake-at-home portions give you different ways to manage how much you use at a time. Always follow the storage and preparation instructions for your chosen product.
