Which option is right for you?

Lunch chooser keeping an eye on fibre

You want wholemeal bread as the basis for your lunch and compare the fibre content per 100 g. Seeds are an addition for you, not a substitute for wholemeal flour.

Seed and grain enthusiast

You’re looking for the flavour and texture of bread with seeds, but you also want to know whether it’s wholemeal and which allergens it contains.

Lunch chooser with a specific nutritional goal

You compare bread with more protein or fewer carbohydrates against ordinary wholemeal bread, looking at the full nutritional information per 100 g.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking whether it’s labelled wholemeal. Then decide whether you want seeds, and only after that compare any specific nutritional values and the packaging that suits how you’ll use it.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the wholemeal label and compare fibre per 100 g on the label. If you choose bread as a regular lunch staple, you’ll want to know what flour it contains and how much fibre it provides. This is the top priority for around 40% of consumers.
Seeds and grains Check whether the bread is also wholemeal; read the ingredients and allergen information. If you want the flavour and texture of seeds, don’t judge by appearance alone. Around 30% of consumers put this preference first.
Protein and carbohydrates Compare protein, carbohydrates, fat, energy and salt per 100 g with ordinary wholemeal bread. If protein or carbohydrates are a particular consideration for your lunch, you’ll want to compare the full nutritional information. This is the main priority for around 20% of consumers.
Quantity and storage Choose an amount you can finish or freeze, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. If you don’t eat bread often, you’ll want to avoid having a whole loaf left over. This is the deciding factor for around 10% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing several types of grain with wholemeal

    A dark colour, seeds or the name ‘multi-grain’ don’t prove that all the flour used is wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a product can only be described as wholemeal if all the flour used is made from whole grains.

    Check that it’s labelled wholemeal before choosing between bread with or without seeds.

  • Looking only at the protein claim

    According to Albert Heijn, the specific AH ELL Eiwitrijk volkoren meerzaden half contains 17 g of protein, as well as 8.5 g of fat and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g. One nutritional value doesn’t tell you everything about the bread.

    Compare the full nutritional information per 100 g with that of an ordinary wholemeal loaf you’re considering.

  • Skipping the allergen information

    The allergens present vary from one bread to another. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be listed on the label of prepacked foods.

    When buying, check the current allergen information for the option you’ve chosen, even if another bread from the same brand was suitable for you.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan

    If you only have bread for lunch now and then, you could buy more than you can eat before it needs to be used. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months.

    Consider buying half a loaf or freezing portions after purchase, and follow the instructions on the packaging too.

Brands to compare

Compare bread by product and pack: the options listed show different choices, not fixed characteristics of an entire brand.

Albert Heijn

A useful reference if you want to compare a specific wholemeal multi-seed option with a protein claim.

  • According to Albert Heijn, AH ELL Eiwitrijk volkoren meerzaden half contains seeds and grains, 17 g of protein and 11 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The same product lists 8.5 g of fat and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g. Check the current packaging.

Jumbo

Two specific products let you compare fine wholemeal bread with wholemeal multi-grain bread containing seeds.

  • According to Jumbo, both products mentioned contain 7.6 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The fine wholemeal bread lists 1.00 g of salt per 100 g; the wholemeal multi-grain bread reviewed lists 0.95 g of salt and 3.3 g of fat per 100 g. These values don’t apply to all Jumbo breads.

Lidl

A useful reference if you want to compare the fibre information on packaged bread.

  • Lidl describes a fibre meter on its packaged breads and lists Fijn volkoren as a separate shop product.
  • Check the current nutritional information and ingredients on the packaging of the bread you’re buying.

ALDI

A useful reference if you want to compare wholemeal multi-grain bread with grains and seeds against other wholemeal options.

  • ALDI describes Boeren volkoren meergranen as bread with grains and seeds.
  • Assess the nutritional values and ingredients of each option separately; a product description doesn’t tell you about every bread in the range.

PLUS

A useful reference if you want to look at an option with sunflower seeds alongside regular wholemeal bread.

  • PLUS includes Korenlanders Volkoren zonnepit vloer heel among its wholemeal options.
  • Compare the nutritional information and allergens for the specific loaf you choose.

Dirk

A useful reference for comparing different names for wholemeal bread and bread with several types of seeds.

  • Dirk’s bread range includes Boeren meerzaden, Boeren volkoren and Boeren Extra vezels volkoren.
  • These names don’t mean that the options use the same flour, seeds or nutritional values. Check the product you choose individually.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multi-seed bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a product can only be called wholemeal if all the flour used is made from whole grains. So look for the wholemeal label; seeds and multiple types of grain don’t replace that check.

How can I include seeded bread in a varied lunch?

If you like, choose seeded wholemeal bread as your base and think about what you eat on the bread and alongside it too. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal bread with a suitable topping, plus vegetables or fruit, for lunch.

What should I look for in seeded bread if I have an allergy?

Check the allergen information for the specific bread before buying it. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be listed on the label of prepacked foods. Don’t rely on the name or picture alone.

Does seeded bread always contain iodine?

You can’t tell from the presence of seeds. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes bread as an important source of iodine because iodised baker’s salt may be used in its preparation. Check the ingredients for the specific bread.

How should I store opened wholemeal bread?

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. Freeze portions if you won’t finish the bread in time, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.