Which bread is right for you?

Budget-conscious sandwich makers

You want to prepare sandwiches quickly for a day at the Christmas market or for a group. Choose a pack size that suits the amount you’ll actually use or can store.

Wholemeal toast shoppers

You’re looking for bread for snacks and everyday meals, and want to identify wholemeal options by checking the product name, ingredients and nutritional information, rather than relying on the colour of the bread.

Shoppers with gluten or allergen requirements

You’ll need to check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific bread. Even if a product is labelled gluten-free, other ingredients or precautionary allergen information may matter to you.

What should you look for when buying?

First, decide what matters most to you: the number of slices, wholemeal ingredients, checking the ingredients, or getting the bread ready to take with you. Then check the information on the specific pack.

What matters to you What to check Who it matters to
Pack size that suits your needs Compare the pack weight and number of slices you need with how much you plan to use. If I’m making sandwiches for several people, I want enough slices without leaving an opened pack unused. For around 36% of consumers, getting the right amount is the main priority.
Wholemeal Look for the word “wholemeal” and compare the ingredients list and fibre per 100 g. I want to choose wholemeal toast for my regular snacks, rather than identifying it by colour alone. This is the main consideration for around 29% of consumers.
Gluten and allergens Check the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any possible traces for the specific product. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the “gluten-free” label alone isn’t enough. Checking for gluten and other allergens is the priority for around 21% of consumers.
Storage and transport Read the storage instructions for after opening and pack the slices you need for your trip separately. For a longer day out, I want to take filled slices with me and store the rest of the pack properly afterwards. Around 14% of consumers prioritise how they’ll handle and store the bread.

Common buying mistakes

  • Buying more slices than you’ll use

    A large pack is handy if you’re making several sandwiches in advance. But if you’re on your own, you could have some left over; according to the consumer advice centre, wheat bread goes stale relatively quickly.

    Work out how many slices you’ll need and, before you buy, consider whether you can freeze any leftovers in portions.

  • Assuming dark bread is wholemeal

    The colour doesn’t prove that bread is wholemeal. If you specifically want wholemeal, look for clearer information on the pack.

    Look for the word “wholemeal” and read the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific product. The German Nutrition Society recommends doing the same.

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from all allergens

    Bread labelled gluten-free may contain other ingredients that matter to you. Schär lists soya protein in Meisterbäckers Classic, along with possible traces of lupin and mustard.

    Check the full ingredients list and any precautionary allergen information on each pack to make sure it meets your needs.

Brands and product ranges to help you choose

ja!

The REWE own-label range includes wholemeal toast bread, making it easy to compare the ingredients and nutritional information of specific products.

  • According to REWE, ja! Wholemeal Toast Bread contains 63% wholemeal wheat flour and 6.2 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The specific product contains wheat and lupin flour; according to REWE, it may contain traces of soya and milk products.

Golden Toast

The brand offers both sandwich bread and wholemeal toast. The information for each variety is what matters when choosing.

  • According to REWE, Golden Toast Wholemeal Toast contains 58% wholemeal wheat flour and 6.5 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Sandwich bread and wholemeal toast are different varieties, so check the ingredients and any possible allergen traces on the pack you choose.

Grafschafter

Lidl’s own-label range includes American Style Sandwich Wheat Toast, Butter Toast and Wholemeal Toast.

  • The varieties let you choose between sandwich bread and wholemeal toast.
  • The varieties have different names; always check the specific pack for ingredients and nutritional information.

Mestemacher

The brand offers products including organic wholemeal wheat toast bread and organic spelt toast bread.

  • The organic wholemeal wheat toast bread listed by EDEKA24 comes in a 400 g pack.
  • Wholemeal wheat toast and spelt toast are different varieties, so check the product name and ingredients of the bread you want.

Schär

Meisterbäckers Classic is a sliced bread option for shoppers specifically looking for a product labelled gluten-free.

  • Schär describes Meisterbäckers Classic as gluten- and wheat-free, and lists a 330 g pack size for Germany.
  • According to Schär, the recipe contains soya protein; possible traces of lupin and mustard are also listed.

Joybuy products on this topic

Relevant products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if toast is wholemeal?

Look for the word “wholemeal”; a dark colour alone isn’t enough. The German Nutrition Society recommends checking the product name. You can then compare the ingredients list and fibre per 100 g across specific packs.

Do I need to check for other allergens in gluten-free sliced bread?

Yes. If other ingredients or traces matter to you, read all the product information even when the bread is labelled gluten-free. For example, Schär lists soya protein in Meisterbäckers Classic, along with possible traces of lupin and mustard.

How should I store an opened pack of sliced bread?

Store bread at room temperature in a dry place away from light, and also follow the instructions on the pack. The consumer advice centre suggests using a bread bin or bread pot, and recommends freezing larger quantities in portions if needed. If you can see mould on the bread, throw the whole loaf away.