If you’re mainly looking for a wholemeal base, choose bread labelled as wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g; seeds or a dark colour alone don’t tell you whether it’s wholemeal. For your weekly shop, work out how much bread you’ll use within a few days and freeze the rest in portions if needed. If you have an allergy, always check the information for the exact bread you’re buying.
If you don’t get through a whole loaf quickly, the storage and freezing instructions can help you decide which size is practical. The Voedingscentrum gives separate storage times for opened wholemeal bread kept in a kitchen cupboard or freezer.
Want seeds for texture, but also want to know what type of bread you’re buying? Compare the product name, ingredients and fibre per 100 g for the product you’ve chosen. According to the Voedingscentrum, seeds can be added to bread as an extra ingredient; their presence doesn’t determine whether the bread is wholemeal.
If you have an allergy, pay extra attention to the mix of seeds and grains. Read the allergen information on the packaging. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask about any ingredients that concern you before making your purchase.
First decide what type of bread you want, then work out how much you can store for the week. Only then compare the nutritional information and ingredients of the options you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check the bread name and ingredients; compare the fibre and salt per 100 g on the label. | I want seeds for texture, but the wholemeal base and fibre content need to be clear. This combination is a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Storage and freezing | Check the storage and freezing instructions, and choose an amount you can use or store in portions. | I need my bread to last for several days without a large amount going uneaten. Shelf life is the most important factor for around 27% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on the exact product. | I need to know before buying whether the grains and seeds are suitable for me; this check is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Texture and range | Compare the mix of seeds and grains, the size you want, and whether the bread is available through your shop or ordering channel. | I’m mainly looking for bread with the texture I like that fits into my weekly shop. This preference is the deciding factor for around 20% of consumers. |
Seeds and colour don’t tell you which type of flour the bread is made from. You could end up with the texture you want, but not the wholemeal bread you were looking for.
Check the bread name and ingredients, then compare the fibre per 100 g.
A whole loaf won’t necessarily stay in the same condition all week. The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days, or in the freezer for 1–3 months.
Follow the instructions on the packaging and freeze the portions you plan to use later in good time.
Freezing portions takes up freezer space and requires a little planning when it comes to defrosting.
The ingredients in bread can change, so an earlier product description is no substitute for checking the allergen information on the loaf you receive.
Read the packaging before eating the bread. If it’s unpackaged, ask about any relevant allergens before buying it.
Gluten-free seeded bread can have a different base from wholemeal bread. For example, Jumbo describes a gluten-free option made with tapioca starch, seeds and kernels.
If you’re looking for a gluten-free product, check that the exact bread is labelled as such; then compare the ingredients and nutritional information separately.
These examples show the types of bread offered by the retailers mentioned. For your weekly shop, always compare the specific product and its current packaging.
Albert Heijn describes AH Meerzaden as a whole brown seeded loaf.
Jumbo lists both wholemeal multigrain bread and a separate gluten-free seeded bread.
Lidl describes, among other options, multigrain bread and organic rustic multigrain sourdough with seeds and kernels.
ALDI describes Boeren volkoren meergranen as bread with grains and seeds.
PLUS lists Korenlanders Licht Meerzaden as a whole loaf, with an option to order online.
Dirk describes Bakker van der Akker Boeren meerzaden heel as brown wheat bread with seeds.
This bread with grains and seeds needs to be defrosted before use and baked at home. Bear this extra step in mind if you’re buying bread to last several days. If a wholemeal base is essential to you, check the packaging.
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A good option if you want to plan ahead and have time to defrost the seeded bread and bake it at home before serving.
Weight according to the product name: 550 g. Check the baking time on the packaging, as the product information gives different times.
If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread or want to compare nutritional values, check the official bread name and the values per 100 g on the label.
If the product instructions allow it, freeze the portions you won’t use within a few days. The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days, or in the freezer for 1–3 months. Also follow the instructions on the packaging.
No. ‘Seeded’ refers to seeds in or on the bread; it doesn’t automatically mean the bread has a wholemeal base. Check the name and ingredients list of the option you want to buy.
Check the exact product for any allergens that are relevant to you. Bread with seeds may contain gluten-containing grains or sesame, for example. Albert Heijn lists wheat, barley and sesame, among other ingredients, for AH Meerzaden. Also check for any warnings on the packaging.
No. Don’t assume that one bread has the same ingredients as another. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for AH Meerzaden; if this matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the bread you’re buying.
