For a Sunday roast with guests who have different bread preferences, brown bread can be a good middle ground: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, it contains both wholemeal flour and white flour. If you want to serve bread that is entirely wholemeal, look for bread explicitly labelled ‘wholemeal’. White or multigrain bread may suit other preferences at the table, but according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ does not mean that all the flour is wholemeal.
Wants to serve bread alongside the Sunday roast for guests who may not all choose the same type. Brown bread can be a middle ground between white and entirely wholemeal bread; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, it contains both wholemeal flour and white flour.
Wants to serve bread that is entirely wholemeal with the meal, so checks that the bread is labelled ‘wholemeal’ rather than relying on its colour or the presence of seeds.
Wants to compare white, brown, multigrain and wholemeal bread during their usual shop. The bread ranges at Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl, ALDI, PLUS and Dirk offer a starting point; the label on the bread you choose is what determines its ingredients.
First, decide which preference matters most at the table: bread to suit different tastes, an entirely wholemeal option or the convenience of comparing products while you shop. Then check the product description and, where needed, the ingredients and nutritional information.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Different tastes at the table | See whether brown or multigrain bread suits your guests’ preferences. You could also choose two smaller loaves instead of one large one. | If guests want both lighter bread and bread made with wholemeal flour, I’m looking for a combination they’re more likely to eat. This taste compromise is the top priority for around 45% of consumers. |
| Entirely wholemeal | Look for the label ‘wholemeal’; don’t rely on a dark colour, seeds or the word ‘multigrain’ alone. | I want to be sure the bread is entirely wholemeal with my Sunday roast, even if another loaf looks similar. This is the most important requirement for around 33% of consumers. |
| Quick comparisons in the supermarket | Compare the bread types on the shelf or in the online category, then read the label on the product you choose. | During my regular shop, I want to find bread that suits the meal quickly, without relying on a category name alone. Around 22% of consumers prioritise this practical approach to choosing. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain. The name doesn’t tell you whether all the flour used is wholemeal.
Look specifically for ‘wholemeal’ if you want bread that is entirely wholemeal; choose multigrain based on the types of grain and the rest of the product information.
Dark-coloured bread or bread with seeds isn’t necessarily entirely wholemeal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes brown bread as a combination of wholemeal flour and white flour.
Check the product description and ingredients if the type of flour is what matters to you.
If preferences vary, one type of bread may not suit what everyone wants to eat.
Consider buying smaller quantities of two types of bread, and adjust the amount to the number of guests.
A large loaf that’s left uneaten can lead to food waste.
These supermarket ranges include different types of bread. Compare the specific product description, ingredients and packaging information; being included in this overview doesn’t tell you whether a product is in stock at a particular store.
Albert Heijn offers, among other things, white, wholemeal and multigrain tin-baked loaves. This makes it easy to compare different types of bread for different preferences.
Jumbo offers, among other things, fine wholemeal bread, wholemeal multigrain bread and white wheat and maize bread.
Lidl separates its bread range into white, brown, multigrain and wholemeal options.
ALDI’s bread range includes, among other things, white, fine wholemeal and wholemeal multigrain bread.
PLUS’s wholemeal bread category includes, among other things, round fine wholemeal bread and wholemeal tiger bread.
When you search for wholemeal bread, Dirk shows a range of whole and half loaves, including wholemeal and wholemeal multigrain options.
These products include multigrain bread, round loaves and white rolls to serve with your meal. If you’re looking for bread that is entirely wholemeal, check the description and ingredients of the product you choose; a name containing ‘whole wheat’ or ‘multigrain’ isn’t enough to confirm this.
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A multigrain option to serve with your Sunday roast.
The pack contains 2 baguettes, weighing 300 g in total. Check the ingredients and look for the ‘wholemeal’ label if you want bread that is entirely wholemeal.
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Two round loaves for anyone planning to serve bread to several people with their meal.
The pack contains 2 loaves, each weighing 550 g. Check the types of flour listed on the packaging if the bread needs to be entirely wholemeal, and follow the preparation instructions too.
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One round loaf for anyone who doesn’t need a pack of two.
The loaf weighs 550 g. Check the types of flour if you’re prioritising an entirely wholemeal option, and follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.
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A round multigrain loaf for anyone who wants to serve this type of bread with their Sunday roast.
The loaf weighs 550 g. The description ‘multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that all the flour is wholemeal; also check the instructions for defrosting and baking.
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White rolls for guests who prefer a white bread option with their meal.
The pack contains 4 rolls, weighing 300 g in total. If you also want to offer an entirely wholemeal option, you’ll need a different type of bread as well.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means bread made with at least three types of grain, not bread that is entirely wholemeal. Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label if that type of flour is what matters to you.
Brown bread can be a good middle ground if you don’t want to serve only white bread but aren’t looking for bread that is entirely wholemeal either. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, it contains a combination of wholemeal flour and white flour. Whether its taste and texture suit your guests depends on the bread you choose.
No. You can’t tell how much iodine bread contains from its category alone. For a specific product, check the ingredients list to see whether iodised salt is included; if you have a medical restriction, ask a healthcare professional for advice.
Compare the amount of salt per 100 g shown in the nutritional information for both products. Also check the serving size if you want to know how much salt you’ll get from the amount of bread you actually serve.
You could buy smaller quantities of two types of bread, such as a white or brown loaf alongside one explicitly labelled wholemeal. Adjust the amount to the number of guests, and follow the storage or preparation instructions for the products you choose.
