Camping groups working to a tight food budget
If you’re catering for several people, you’ll need enough slices for the meals you have planned. A large pack is only worthwhile for the group if you can use it up soon after opening.
Who should take care when choosing?
Campers who prefer wholemeal toast
If sandwiches are a regular part of your menu, the stated wholegrain content and nutritional information per 100 g can help you choose a particular variety.
Campers avoiding gluten or wheat
You’ll need a suitably labelled bread alternative. Check that the ingredients, highlighted allergens and precautionary statements match the specific pack.
What should you look for when buying?
First, work out how many slices your group will actually use and where you can store the bread. Then you can choose a suitable variety by checking its ingredients and labelling.
| Criteria | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Compare the weight and planned portions with the group size and length of your trip. | If I’m catering for several people, I want to pack enough slices without bringing an opened pack back with me. Around 43% of consumers would put choosing the right quantity first. |
| Freshness and storage | Check the best-before date, packaging and storage instructions. | If I don’t have a suitable place to store it, I want to avoid heat and moisture spoiling the bread before the next meal. Around 29% of consumers would put freshness first. |
| Bread type and allergens | Check the wholegrain content and nutritional information, or the gluten and wheat labelling, ingredients and precautionary statements. | If I want wholemeal bread or need to avoid certain ingredients, the labelling on the individual pack determines my choice. The suitability of the variety and its allergen information would be the main concern for around 28% of consumers. |
Avoid common mistakes
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Choosing a pack that’s too large for your trip
If you have lots of slices left after opening, a large pack can go to waste, especially in warm, humid weather. The Verbraucherzentrale (German consumer advice centre) points out that bread can go mouldy more quickly in these conditions.
Plan the quantity according to the number of meals and people, and consider where you can store opened bread in a dry place.
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Confusing wholemeal with gluten-free
Wholemeal toast can contain wheat and other allergens. Conversely, a gluten-free label doesn’t mean that all other ingredients or precautionary statements can be ignored.
For every variety, read the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and warnings about possible traces.
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Removing only the visibly mouldy part
The Verbraucherzentrale says mould may have spread further through the bread than you can see from the outside.
If you can see mould, throw away the whole loaf and clean the storage container.
Brands and retailers to consider
ja! (REWE)
REWE’s own brand offers wholemeal toast as an option for making sandwiches.
- For ja! wholemeal toast bread, REWE states that it contains 63% wholemeal wheat flour and 6.2 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The product contains wheat and lupin flour, among other ingredients. If you have other allergies, check the pack for precautionary statements too.
Schär / Meisterbäckers
Meisterbäckers is a Schär range of sliced bread for people looking for suitably labelled alternatives.
- Schär labels Meisterbäckers Vital as gluten-free and wheat-free.
- This product may contain traces of soya, lupin and mustard; check the current packaging.
Golden Toast
The brand offers various types of toast and sandwich bread, including wholemeal and spelt varieties.
- You can choose between the different varieties by bread type and ingredients.
- The brand name alone doesn’t tell you anything about the ingredients or allergens in the variety you choose.
Lidl / Grafschafter
Grafschafter is a Lidl own brand with toast and sandwich bread varieties.
- In April 2025, Lidl Deutschland listed products including Grafschafter American Style Sandwich Weizen, as well as butter and wholemeal toast.
- Choose from the varieties currently available and check the information on the pack, rather than relying on older product listings.
EDEKA
Here, EDEKA is a retailer where you can compare specific types of bread, rather than a single toast bread brand.
- EDEKA24 lists sliced bread from the Schär Meisterbäckers range, among other products.
- Choose according to the variety, pack size and labelling of the specific product on offer.
Danish toast for camping meals
These Thinmax products are individually portioned Danish toast varieties for making sandwiches on the go. Compare the quantity you need and follow the guidance on using the product after opening. They are not wholemeal or gluten-free alternatives.
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Thinmax Golden Danish Toast, 2 × 85 g
Designed for making sandwiches without a toaster. The pack contains 2 × 85 g; compare this with the meals you have planned.
Use within 24 hours of opening. If you need to avoid certain ingredients, check the information on the pack.
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Thinmax Golden Danish Toast, 85 g
Designed for making a smaller quantity of sandwiches on the go. The pack contains 85 g; check whether that’s enough for the portions you have planned.
Use within 24 hours of opening. If you need to avoid certain ingredients, the information on the pack is what matters.
Frequently asked questions
How much toast should I pack for camping?
Choose a pack size based on the number of people and meals you have planned. If you open a pack, also consider whether you’ll be able to store the remaining slices somewhere dry and use them during your trip.
Do I need a toaster when camping?
No, you can make sandwiches with toast or sandwich bread and eat them without toasting. If you prefer to prepare it in a particular way, check the instructions for the product you choose.
How should I store an opened pack of bread while travelling?
The Verbraucherzentrale generally recommends storing bread at room temperature, somewhere dry and away from light. Heat and moisture can encourage mould. If you can see mould, throw away the whole loaf.
Are the labels ‘wholemeal’ or ‘gluten-free’ enough if I have allergies?
No, check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack. REWE lists wheat and lupin flour, among other ingredients, in ja! wholemeal toast bread. Schär labels Meisterbäckers Vital as gluten-free and wheat-free, but also warns that it may contain traces of other allergens.
Does toast automatically go off once its best-before date has passed?
No, if it’s unopened and stored correctly, a product doesn’t automatically go off once its best-before date has passed. Check the bread before eating it; if you can see mould, throw the whole loaf away.