If wholegrains and fibre matter to you, look for the explicit ‘wholegrain’ label when choosing sliced rye bread. Rye and wheat bread is another option for savoury toppings. You can’t tell from the type of bread alone whether a slice is thick enough or comfortable to chew: check the slice, crust and crumb of the bread itself, and choose a pack size that suits how much you’ll use.
For hearty bread-based meals, you may want to distinguish carefully between wholemeal rye bread and rye and wheat bread, and compare their fibre content. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends making the transition to a higher-fibre diet gradually.
If you enjoy topping your bread with cheese, egg or spreads, look for a slice whose size and crumb suit what you’re putting on it. Check the actual slice and texture of the bread to see if it works for you – pack weight won’t tell you.
When choosing, consider the crust, grains and crumb. The DGE notes that chewing ability can vary from person to person as we get older, so the type of bread alone won’t tell you how comfortable it will be to chew.
First decide whether the wholegrain label matters most to you, or whether you’re mainly looking for a slice that’s easy to top. Then check the bread’s texture and choose an amount you can use up.
| What to look for | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrains and fibre | Look for the ‘wholegrain’ label and check the fibre per 100 g; a dark colour alone isn’t enough to tell you. | I specifically want wholemeal bread for my snack and to compare the fibre content of different breads. Around 40% of shoppers put wholegrains and fibre first when making this choice. |
| Slices for savoury toppings | Check the thickness and surface area of the slices; if you’re buying from a bakery counter, ask for the cut you prefer. | I want to add plenty of toppings without choosing a slice that feels too firm for me. Around 30% of shoppers prioritise a slice that’s easy to top. |
| Comfortable to chew | Check the crust, larger pieces and crumb of the bread itself. | A thick slice isn’t much use if I find the crust or grains uncomfortable to chew. For around 20% of shoppers, how the bread feels to chew is the most important factor. |
| Pack size and freshness | Consider the amount in the pack, the use-by information and how quickly you expect to use it up. | I’d rather buy an amount I can finish in time than throw bread away. Around 10% of shoppers make this their top priority. |
The colour doesn’t reliably tell you whether bread is made as wholemeal. Dark-looking rye and wheat bread is still a different type of bread.
Look for the ‘wholegrain’ label and compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the product itself.
A heavy pack doesn’t tell you how the individual slices have been cut or how firm the crumb is.
For pre-packed bread, check the slices or ask at the bakery counter for the thickness you prefer.
Even with clearly labelled wholemeal rye bread, the crust and larger pieces can affect how comfortable it is for you to chew.
Choose a texture that suits your needs. If you don’t usually eat much high-fibre bread, the DGE recommends making the change gradually and drinking enough fluids.
The consumer advice centre Verbraucherzentrale says rye bread can stay fresh for around four to six days when stored in ideal conditions. How long it actually lasts also depends on the bread itself and how you store it.
Choose a pack size that suits how much you’ll use, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
If you don’t use all the bread, it could go off and end up in the bin.
These examples cover different types of bread and ways to shop. The thickness of the slice will always depend on the bread itself.
REWE sells pre-sliced Ur-Eifeler rye and wheat bread in a 400-g pack. According to REWE, it contains 37% rye.
EDEKA describes, among other products, an organic wholemeal rye bread made with wholemeal rye meal and natural sourdough, as well as a bread basket range that includes wholemeal rye bread.
ALDI Nord describes GOLDÄHREN Bauern-Schnitten as rye and wheat bread, and ‘Volles Korn’ as wholemeal rye bread. ALDI SÜD also sells Bauern-Schnitten made with rye.
Lidl describes ‘Unser Brot’ as a bakery range featuring several speciality breads made with rye sourdough.
Wendl describes its ‘Roggstar’ rye bread as having a hearty crust.
Look for an explicit wholegrain label rather than relying on the colour. The German Nutrition Society points out that dark-looking bread isn’t necessarily wholemeal; the ingredients list and nutritional information can also help you compare specific products.
No. Thickness alone doesn’t determine how comfortable bread is to chew. The German Nutrition Society says that changes in chewing ability as we get older vary from person to person, so check the crust, amount of grain and crumb of the bread you choose too.
Check the information for the specific bread, especially if you need to avoid certain ingredients. Rye and wheat bread, for example, may also contain wheat; some breads may contain other ingredients or declare allergen traces. The words ‘rye bread’ don’t mean the bread is gluten-free.
Choose an amount that suits how much you usually eat and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The consumer advice centre Verbraucherzentrale says rye bread can stay fresh for around four to six days when stored in ideal conditions. This is only a guide – check the bread itself while it’s being stored.