People who prepare lunch at home
If you make sandwiches at home and are mindful of fibre, you can compare the wholemeal labelling, nutritional information and ingredients on packaged bread before buying.
Which lunch option is right for you?
People who buy lunch at BackWerk
A dark multigrain Pane is another option for a ready-to-eat lunch. However, its colour or multigrain label isn’t enough to confirm that it’s wholemeal.
People with specific ingredient requirements
For packaged bread, check the information on the specific pack. If you’re buying a filled Pane, you’ll also need to check the filling and other ingredients for allergens.
What should you look for when choosing?
Packaged bread for home
A good choice if: you make your own sandwiches and want to compare the information on several packs.
Things to consider: Slice size and ingredients vary between breads, so make sure the pack suits your filling and requirements.
Filled Pane from BackWerk
A good choice if: you want a ready-to-eat lunch and the dark multigrain option suits your needs.
Things to consider: BackWerk describes the dark version of its Pane Ei as multigrain, not wholemeal.
| What to consider | What to check | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the word “wholemeal” and compare fibre per 100 g. | If wholemeal is my main reason for buying, I don’t want to judge by the bread’s dark colour alone. Around 36% of consumers would put wholemeal and fibre first. |
| Slice size and convenience | Check the slice size and serving information; if you need something ready to eat, choose the specific Pane option. | My sandwich needs to fit in the lunchbox I’m taking with me — or I need something filled and ready to eat at lunchtime. For around 29% of consumers, this practical consideration would come first. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Check the information on the pack, or the allergen information for the specific filled Pane. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I also need to know what’s in the filling. This check would come first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Salt and recipe | Compare salt and sugar per 100 g and read the ingredients list. | I want to know what the bread is made from, rather than choosing based on the wholemeal label alone. Around 14% of consumers would look at salt and the recipe first. |
Common mistakes when buying bread
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Assuming dark or multigrain means wholemeal
The colour and the word “multigrain” don’t tell you how much wholemeal flour the bread contains.
If wholemeal is important to you, look for an explicit wholemeal label. For loose bread, ask to see the product information.
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Comparing fibre alone
Breads labelled as wholemeal can also differ in their salt and other ingredients.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and read the ingredients list for the variety you’ve chosen.
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Checking only the bread in a filled sandwich
The filling may contain additional allergens. For BackWerk’s Pane Ei, check the information for the complete product.
Before buying, check or ask for the allergen information for the exact option on offer.
Brands and product ranges to consider
ja! (REWE-Eigenmarke)
REWE’s ja! range includes both wholemeal toast and a wholemeal wheat sandwich loaf.
- According to REWE’s product information, the 500-g loaf of toast contains 6.2 g of fibre per 100 g, while the 750-g sandwich loaf contains 7.7 g per 100 g.
- The ingredients lists include wheat flour as well as wholemeal wheat flour. Check the specific pack before making your choice.
Harry
Harry Sammys Vollkorn Super Sandwich is a packaged sandwich loaf in a 750-g size.
- REWE’s product information states that wholemeal flour makes up at least 90% of the milled cereal products, and that the loaf contains 6.6 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The listed recipe also includes wheat flour, rapeseed oil and invert sugar syrup.
Golden Toast
Golden Toast offers wholemeal bread in a classic toast format.
- REWE’s product information states that it contains 6.5 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Golden Toast states that the bread contains 90% wholemeal flour, while REWE’s ingredients list specifies 58% wholemeal wheat flour. These percentages use different reference bases, so check the latest pack.
BackWerk
BackWerk is an option here for a ready-made lunch, not for choosing a packaged sliced loaf.
- For its Pane Ei, BackWerk offers a choice of white wheat or dark multigrain bread.
- The dark option isn’t labelled as wholemeal. Also check the allergen information for the complete Pane.
Packaged breads for lunches prepared at home
These packaged breads are options for filled lunches you prepare yourself: a pumpernickel and a wholemeal protein bread. If you’re comparing them with toast or sandwich bread, pay particular attention to slice size, ingredients and nutritional information.
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Mestemacher Westphalian Pumpernickel, 500 g
An option for a homemade filled lunch if pumpernickel goes well with your chosen filling.
The pack contains 500 g. If milk or sesame is relevant to your choice, check the information on the specific pack.
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Mestemacher Classic Wholemeal Protein Bread, 250 g
An option for a packed lunch if you want to pair bread labelled as wholemeal with your preferred filling.
The pack contains 250 g. If fibre or specific ingredients will influence your choice, compare the information per 100 g and read the ingredients list on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is dark multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. “Multigrain” doesn’t automatically mean that the bread contains wholemeal flour. If wholemeal is your reason for buying, look for an explicit wholemeal label and check the ingredients rather than judging by colour.
What should I check on packaged wholemeal toast?
Check the labelling, fibre and salt per 100 g, along with the ingredients and allergens on the specific pack. Slice size and the storage instructions on the pack can also help you plan your lunch.
Is BackWerk’s dark Pane Ei a wholemeal lunch?
You can’t tell from the description “dark multigrain”. If you specifically want wholemeal, ask in store for the product information for the option on offer, and check the allergens in the filling too.
How should I store packaged wholemeal toast?
Follow the storage instructions on the specific pack. For example, REWE’s product information for Golden Toast Wholemeal Toast recommends storing it in a dry place and keeping it out of direct sunlight. Don’t assume the instructions for one product apply to another without checking.