Budget-conscious sandwich planners
If you're making several sandwiches, check the current price per kilogram, pack weight and number of slices. The slice size should also suit your planned fillings.
Which criteria matter to different shoppers
Picnickers who prefer wholegrain
If you're looking for wholemeal toast rather than classic wheat or butter toast, compare the wholegrain content and fibre per 100 g of the specific varieties.
Picnickers with fillings that need to be kept chilled
If you're taking cheese, meat, egg or mayonnaise-based spreads, plan how you'll transport them as well as the bread. The Verbraucherzentrale recommends using a cool bag with ice packs for perishable foods in summer.
What to look for when buying
First decide whether price per kilogram, slice size, wholegrain content or stocking up matters most for your picnic. Then compare only the types of bread that fit the purpose.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it's important for |
|---|---|---|
| Price per kilogram and quantity | Compare the current price per kilogram, pack weight and number of slices. | If I'm making several sandwiches, I want the pack to be enough for the number I've planned, rather than seeming like good value just because of its pack price. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Slice size | Check the stated slice size and whether it suits the toast or sandwich format you want. | For generously filled sandwiches, I want plenty of surface area and a format that also works untoasted for a picnic. This is the main criterion for around 29% of consumers. |
| Wholegrain and fibre | Compare the wholegrain information and fibre per 100 g on the specific pack. | If wholegrain matters more to me than an especially soft or buttery toast, I want to compare the varieties using their nutritional information. Around 21% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Stocking up and transport | Check the best-before date, work out how much bread you need and plan a cool bag for fillings that need to be kept chilled. | If my picnic is planned for a later date, I want to buy the bread in good time and transport perishable ingredients chilled. This is the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common shopping mistakes
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Comparing only the pack price
A smaller pack may not go as far when you're making several sandwiches. You can't tell whether it's the right buy just from a low pack price.
Compare the current price per kilogram in store, then check the weight and number of slices.
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Treating sandwich, wholemeal and butter toast as the same
These names refer to different product characteristics. Slice size, wholegrain content or butterfat may be important when choosing between them.
Decide which criterion matters most to you, then read the ingredients and nutritional information for each variety.
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Transporting perishable fillings without keeping them chilled
In summer heat, the shelf life of the bread doesn't mean a filled sandwich is safe to eat. The Verbraucherzentrale Rheinland-Pfalz advises against leaving food in the sun for long periods without refrigeration.
Carry fillings that need to be kept chilled in a cool bag with ice packs, and keep the time they spend out of the fridge to a minimum.
Brands to consider
Gut & Günstig (EDEKA)
EDEKA's own-label brand is one option to compare for wholemeal toast.
- A t-online and dpa report on Stiftung Warentest's 2025 test gives Gut & Günstig Vollkorn Toast a rating of “good (2.1)”.
- Check the current recipe and pack details for the variety available at your local store.
Grafschafter (Lidl)
Lidl's brand offers a point of comparison for sandwich bread and toast.
- Lidl reported a “good (2.3)” rating in a 2025 test for Grafschafter American Style Sandwich Weizen.
- That test result applies to the variety named, not every bread from the brand.
Harry
Harry sells toast and sandwich bread, along with other sliced breads.
- Harry describes SAMMY'S Super Sandwich as a bread with extra-large slices for filled sandwiches.
- Check that the slice size and pack quantity suit your fillings and the number of portions you're planning.
Golden Toast
Vollkorn Toast and Butter Toast have different qualities to offer.
- Golden Toast says its Vollkorn Toast contains 90% wholemeal flour, based on the total flour content; the brand states that its Butter Toast contains 2.7% butterfat.
- These details apply to the specific varieties and shouldn't be assumed to apply to other products from the brand.
Mestemacher
Mestemacher offers speciality breads for shoppers looking for something other than soft sandwich bread.
- The manufacturer describes its range as long-life, pasteurised speciality breads, including wholegrain products.
- Check the shelf life, slice size, ingredients and allergens for the variety you choose.
Sliced bread alternatives at Joybuy
This selection includes pumpernickel and a wholegrain speciality bread for anyone looking to take something other than soft sandwich bread on a picnic. For a budget-conscious choice, compare the current price per kilogram and pack size.
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Mestemacher Westphalian Pumpernickel, 500 g
This 500 g variety is an option for a picnic if you'd prefer pumpernickel to soft sandwich bread. Check that it works with your planned fillings, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
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Mestemacher Traditional Westphalian Pumpernickel, 500 g
This traditional Westphalian pumpernickel comes in a 500 g pack and is an alternative if you don't want soft toast for your sandwiches. Check that the format and pack size fit your picnic plans.
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Mestemacher Classic Wholemeal Protein Bread, 250 g
If you're looking for a wholegrain speciality bread rather than sandwich bread for your picnic, this 250 g variety is worth considering. Compare the pack size with the quantity you need, and check the ingredients and allergen information before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Sandwich bread or wholemeal toast: which is best for a picnic?
Sandwich bread is a good choice if you want large, soft slices for your fillings; wholemeal toast suits you if wholegrain content and fibre are your priorities. Compare the information per 100 g for the specific products, and check how much you need in either case.
How should I store bread before a picnic?
The Verbraucherzentrale says bread can be stored at room temperature. Follow the instructions on the pack and, if it's already been opened, plan how much you'll need for the picnic.
How should I transport sandwiches in hot summer weather?
If your fillings need to be kept chilled, use a cool bag with ice packs and don't leave the food in the sun for long. The Verbraucherzentrale and Verbraucherzentrale Rheinland-Pfalz recommend this in their advice on storing food in summer.
Where can I check allergens in packaged sliced bread?
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack of the variety you've chosen. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Home Affairs explains the requirement to label the 14 main allergens and intolerances. Choosing a different type of bread or brand doesn't replace checking the specific product.