Who is this useful for?

Everyday budget shopper

You regularly buy bread for breakfast or lunch and want to choose a whole or half loaf that you can use up.

Shopper checking wholemeal content and fibre

You want to know whether a multigrain loaf is also wholemeal, so you compare the product description, ingredients and nutritional information.

Shopper looking for convenience and less waste

You want sliced bread for everyday sandwiches, but don’t want a whole loaf to dry out or go mouldy before you’ve finished it.

What should you look for when choosing?

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Quantity and waste Check the weight and choose a whole or half loaf based on how much you’ll use. Freeze portions if needed. If I eat bread every day, I don’t want to throw away part of a whole loaf. For around 36% of consumers, getting a useful amount is the top priority.
Wholemeal content and fibre Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. I want to know exactly what ‘multigrain’ means for my bread and whether it’s also wholemeal. Around 29% of consumers give this check top priority.
Slice thickness and storage Check the slices on the packaging or in the shop; ‘sliced’ doesn’t tell you how thick they are. Also think about when you’ll eat the bread. I want medium-cut slices for my everyday sandwiches and bread I can use in time. This is the main concern for around 21% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information for the variant you choose. If it matters to your choice, also check whether it contains iodised salt. If I need to avoid certain ingredients or check my salt intake, I need to be able to read the label for the specific loaf I’m buying. This information is a top priority for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing ‘multigrain’ with ‘wholemeal’

    According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain. The name alone doesn’t confirm that the bread is wholemeal.

    Check the product description and ingredients list. If you’re comparing different loaves, compare the fibre per 100 g too.

  • Assuming ‘sliced’ means ‘medium-cut’

    With sliced bread, the thickness of the slices isn’t necessarily specified. This can matter if you want a particular thickness for your sandwiches.

    Look at the slices or ask at the bakery counter how thick they are before settling on a particular loaf.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan

    A whole loaf may not be the best choice if you only eat a few slices and can’t use it up in time.

    If needed, choose a half loaf or freeze a whole loaf in portions after buying it, as the Voedingscentrum advises.

Brands to consider

ALDI

ALDI lists a half Boeren volkoren meergranenbrood as a sliced option.

  • A half, sliced loaf may suit you if you don’t get through a whole loaf.
  • Check the slice thickness and the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for this variant.

Albert Heijn

AH OerDesem donker meergranen heel gesneden is described as an 800 g wholemeal multigrain sourdough loaf.

  • The ingredients, allergens and nutritional information can help you compare this variant with others.
  • ‘Heel gesneden’ doesn’t confirm that the slices are medium-cut; also check whether you’ll use up the whole loaf.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen as both a whole and a half loaf.

  • Having two loaf sizes lets you choose the amount that suits your needs.
  • For the variant you choose, check the weight, whether it’s sliced and how thick the slices are.

PLUS

PLUS Korenlanders donker meergranen rond heel is a sliced wholemeal multigrain loaf.

  • The product information includes details such as ingredients, allergens and fibre per 100 g.
  • Check the slice thickness of this whole loaf before choosing it for medium-cut sandwiches.

Dirk

Dirk lists products including Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half and a half loaf of wholemeal Multikorn.

  • A half loaf may suit a household that gets through fewer slices of bread.
  • For each variant, check the weight, ingredients, allergens and slice thickness on the packaging.

Lidl

Lidl describes a multigrain loaf containing ingredients including wheat, barley and buckwheat.

  • It’s an option to look at in store if you’re after a multigrain loaf.
  • Check in store whether this variant is wholemeal and sliced, how thick the slices are and what the ingredients are.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain; that alone doesn’t mean it’s wholemeal. Check the product description and ingredients of the loaf you choose.

What can I do if I won’t get through a whole loaf quickly?

Choose a half loaf if that better suits how much bread you eat, or freeze a whole loaf in portions after buying it. The Voedingscentrum advises taking only what you need out of the freezer each time.

Where can I check for allergens in multigrain bread?

Read the ingredients and allergen information for the specific variant, especially if you need to avoid certain ingredients. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the labels of pre-packed foods.