Households doing their first food shop
If you’re stocking up on food for the first time, it helps to work out how much bread you’ll need for your planned meals before choosing a pack.
Which considerations matter to you?
Those looking for wholemeal bread
If you specifically want wholemeal bread, check the product name and compare the fibre content per 100 g in the nutritional information.
Smaller households with limited storage space
If you eat bread slowly, pack size and storage matter, so any opened slices don’t go off.
What should you look for when buying?
First, decide whether you want wholemeal bread and how much you’re likely to eat. Then think about how you’ll store any bread once the pack is open.
| Consideration | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| How much to buy | Check the pack weight against the meals you have planned. | For my first shop, I want enough bread for my meals without buying more than I need. Getting the quantity right is a priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal | Look for the words “wholemeal bread” and compare the fibre content per 100 g. | I specifically want wholemeal bread and want to compare the nutritional information of different products. Wholemeal is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Storage | Read the pack instructions and consider whether you can freeze slices in portions. | If I eat bread slowly, I want to stop any opened slices from going off. Storage is the priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Avoid common buying mistakes
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Assuming dark bread is wholemeal
The colour of bread isn’t a reliable way to tell whether it’s labelled as wholemeal. The German Nutrition Society points to the product description “wholemeal” as the key indicator.
Check the product description, ingredients list and fibre content per 100 g in the nutritional information.
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Buying more bread than you’ll eat
A large pack isn’t right for every small household. The German Consumer Advice Centre says rye bread typically keeps for four to six days, although storage and the specific product make a difference.
Choose a pack size that suits you, or freeze slices in portions. If you see any mould, throw away the whole loaf.
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Overlooking allergen information
Rye contains gluten, as the German Coeliac Society explains. Other ingredients and allergen warnings vary from one bread to another.
For packaged bread, read the information on the specific product. If you’re buying loose bread from an in-store bakery, ask to see the allergen information for that particular product before you buy.
Brands to help you choose
GOLDÄHREN / ALDI
ALDI Nord and ALDI SÜD sell packaged breads under the GOLDÄHREN brand, including products with different descriptions such as “Volles Korn” and “Bauernschnitten, Roggen”.
- Both of these products come in 500-g packs.
- ALDI Nord and ALDI SÜD have separate ranges. The nutritional information for the ALDI SÜD product may vary depending on the supplier.
NUR NUR NATUR / ALDI SÜD
This organic rye wholemeal bread from ALDI SÜD’s own brand is described as a 375-g pack.
- The smaller pack makes it easier to choose a quantity that suits how much you eat.
- Whether it’s enough or leaves you with leftovers depends on the meals you have planned.
ja! / REWE
REWE sells a 500-g pack of rye wholemeal bread under its ja! brand.
- REWE lists wholemeal rye meal as the first ingredient and 7,7 g of fibre per 100 g.
- If you have allergies, check the allergen and “may contain” information for the specific product.
GUT&GÜNSTIG / EDEKA
The GUT&GÜNSTIG rye wholemeal bread described here comes in a 500-g pack.
- EDEKA lists wholemeal rye meal, natural sourdough and oats as ingredients.
- EDEKA notes that online information may differ from the packaging and that products may vary between stores.
LIDL – Unser Brot
According to Lidl Deutschland, “Unser Brot” is its own brand of bread and baked goods from the in-store bakery.
- Lidl Deutschland says its baked goods are baked several times a day.
- For a specific rye bread in store, check its description, ingredients and allergen information before buying.
Rye bread at Joybuy
This selection features two packaged Mestemacher breads for your first food shop: Pumpernickel in a 500-g pack and walnut wholemeal bread in a 250-g pack. The right choice depends on how much you’ll eat and whether the ingredients in each type of bread suit you.
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Mestemacher Westphalian Pumpernickel, 500 g
The 500-g pack could suit you if it matches how much bread you plan to eat. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack.
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Mestemacher Sylt Walnut Wholegrain Bread, 250 g
The 250-g pack is a good fit if you’re planning to keep a smaller amount in stock. The product name describes it as walnut wholemeal bread; check the full ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if bread is wholemeal rye?
Look for the description “rye wholemeal bread” rather than relying on the colour alone. The German Nutrition Society explains that the wholemeal description is what matters; the ingredients list and nutritional information can then help you compare specific products.
Does rye bread contain gluten?
Yes, rye contains gluten. The German Coeliac Society specifically lists rye among the cereals that contain gluten, and a wholemeal description doesn’t change that.
How do I check allergens in bread from an in-store bakery?
Ask to see the allergen information for the specific unwrapped product before choosing it. If the information on the shelf isn’t clear, ask a member of staff about the ingredients and allergen information for that particular bread.
How should I store rye bread after my first shop?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack. If you want to keep bread for longer, freeze slices in portions as needed. The German Consumer Advice Centre generally recommends storing bread at room temperature in a dry place away from light, but instructions for a specific product may differ. If you see any mould, throw away the whole loaf.