For individual meals, sliced bread or toast is a good choice when the pack size, ingredients and slice format suit how much you eat and how you plan to use it. A smaller pack can help you avoid leftovers, while freezing larger packs in portions can make them easier to use. If a slice is described as “medium-fine”, check the specific product to see whether it will fit in your toaster or hold the topping you have in mind.
If you only need slices for the occasional breakfast or evening meal, the main thing is whether you’ll use the pack in time or freeze some of it. The German Federal Centre for Nutrition recommends freezing bread while it is still fresh and already sliced if you want to keep it for longer.
For a warm slice or one with a topping, the format and intended use matter. Check that the slice will fit in your toaster and looks suitable for your topping. Manufacturers’ descriptions of sweet and savoury toppings can’t replace checking the product itself.
If you need to avoid gluten, wheat, milk ingredients or soya, for example, check the information on the specific pack. Gluten-free bread may contain other allergens, and spelt bread is not gluten-free.
First, work out how many slices you’ll need before your next shop. Then compare the type of grain and the ingredients, and check that the slice format suits the meal you have planned.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and freshness | Net weight, number of slices and storage instructions after opening; for larger packs, also consider whether you have room to freeze portions. | If I only eat bread occasionally, I want to use the remaining slices before they go off. Avoiding waste is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Type of grain and nutritional values | Compare the types of grain, as well as fibre, salt, fat and sugar per 100 g; use serving information as an additional guide. | For an individual meal, I want to choose between wheat, spelt and wholemeal by checking the ingredients and nutritional information. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any precautionary allergen statements for the specific product. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the description on the front of the pack isn’t enough. Checking the ingredients is a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Slice format and intended use | Check the visible slice size and the manufacturer’s information, especially if you have a toaster with narrow slots or plan to add a generous topping. | For a quick slice of toast or a sandwich, I need slices that suit my appliance and topping. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this use. |
The description alone won’t tell you reliably how much room the slice will take up in your toaster or how well it will hold a topping.
Look at the slices on the pack or product rather than choosing based only on the description of the cut.
If you only need a few slices, some of the pack may go off before you use it. If you can see mould, the consumer advice centre Verbraucherzentrale recommends throwing away all the affected bread.
Choose a pack size that suits you, or freeze fresh slices in portions, as recommended by the German Federal Centre for Nutrition for longer-term storage.
You’ll need space in your freezer and suitable packaging to freeze the bread.
Spelt contains gluten. Even bread labelled gluten-free may contain other ingredients that matter to you: Schär lists soya protein in its Meisterbäckers Classic, and says it may contain traces of lupin and mustard.
Check the current ingredients list and allergen information on every product variant.
A wholemeal content claim doesn’t tell you how much salt, fat or sugar the bread contains. Golden Toast lists 6.6 g of fibre and 1.10 g of salt per 100 g for its Vollkorn Toast.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the type of bread you’re considering, then take into account how many slices you’ll have with your meal.
Sliced bread for people specifically looking for a gluten- and wheat-free option.
Toast and sandwich products in a range of pack sizes and made with different grains, available from REWE.
Organic spelt and organic wholemeal wheat toast bread, both listed by EDEKA24 in 400 g packs.
A range of toast and sandwich breads, including wheat, spelt, seeded and wholemeal options.
Bread and baked goods for in-store shopping; Lidl says its “Unser Brot” range is freshly baked several times a day.
The description doesn’t specify a particular slice thickness across different bread products. If the space in your toaster or the size of a topped slice matters, check the specific product or clear images of the packaging.
Store the bread according to the instructions on the pack, and freeze any slices you won’t need soon in portions while they’re still fresh. The German Federal Centre for Nutrition recommends freezing bread that’s already sliced, so you can take out individual slices as needed.
No. The consumer advice centre Verbraucherzentrale recommends throwing away all mouldy bread, as the mould may have spread beyond the visible patch.
Read the current ingredients list and allergen information on the specific pack or online listing. Other ingredients may also matter in bread labelled gluten-free: Schär lists soya protein in its Meisterbäckers Classic, which may also contain traces of lupin and mustard.
No. The best-before date applies to unopened products stored appropriately. After opening, the bread’s storage and condition also matter. If you can see mould, throw away all the affected bread.