Older household with a low bread intake
If you eat bread with just one or a few cups of coffee a day, half a loaf may be a better fit for what you’ll get through. Freezing a whole loaf in portions is another option.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shopper who prioritises wholemeal and fibre
You want to know whether the bread really is wholemeal and compare the fibre listed per 100 g. The name ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t tell you that.
Shopper who reads labels carefully
You check the ingredients, salt content and allergen information for the specific variety. This is especially important if you need to avoid certain ingredients.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with how much bread you’ll actually use. Then check whether the wholemeal label, nutritional information and ingredients match what you’re looking for.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and waste | Choose half a loaf if you don’t eat much bread, or see whether you can freeze a whole loaf in portions. | In a small household, I don’t want bread left uneaten until it goes stale. Around 42% of consumers prioritise reducing waste. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. | If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, don’t rely on the name or colour alone. For around 33% of consumers, wholemeal and fibre are the top priorities. |
| Ingredients and storage | Check the latest allergen information and salt content, as well as the storage instructions. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the variety I choose must be suitable for me to eat. Around 25% of consumers prioritise checking the label. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ tells you how many types of grain have been used. It doesn’t mean the bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
Look for ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging, then compare the listed fibre and salt per 100 g.
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Buying a whole loaf when you don’t eat much bread
If you only use a few slices, some of a whole loaf may go stale before you finish it.
Consider buying half a loaf. If you do choose a whole one, check the storage instructions and freeze suitable portions in good time.
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Choosing seeded bread without checking for allergens
Ingredients vary between varieties. Product information from retailers including Jumbo lists cereals containing gluten, sesame or soya in some multigrain breads.
If you need to avoid certain ingredients, check the latest allergen information on the packaging, even if you’ve bought the product before.
Brands to consider
These examples show the formats and product information you may come across. Always check the variety you’re planning to buy.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers products including AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel and smaller multigrain varieties.
- For AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel, Albert Heijn lists 5,2 g of fibre and 0,65 g of salt per 100 g.
- Ingredients and nutritional values can change. If you have allergies, check the packaging of the loaf you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers products including half loaves of wholemeal multigrain bread and a hearty multigrain variety.
- Jumbo lists 7,8 g of fibre and 0,99 g of salt per 100 g for Volkoren Meergranen Brood half.
- Allergens vary by variety. Sesame and soya are among those relevant to Jumbo Stevig Meergranen.
Lidl
Lidl describes a multigrain loaf containing ingredients including wheat, barley and buckwheat.
- The grains listed help you identify what this variety contains.
- Check the packaging to see whether the variety you choose is wholemeal and which allergens are listed.
ALDI
ALDI offers freshly baked multigrain varieties, including Boeren volkoren meergranen in half and whole-loaf formats.
- The half-loaf format is an option if you’re unlikely to finish a whole loaf quickly.
- Check the label for the specific variety if fibre, ingredients or allergens are important to your choice.
PLUS
PLUS offers products including Soma Haverkorn-meergranenbrood and Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel.
- PLUS lists 6,8 g of fibre and 1,02 g of salt per 100 g for Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel.
- For this variety, PLUS recommends freezing it on the day of purchase and using it within one month. Follow the instructions on the packaging you choose.
Dirk
Dirk offers products including Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half, a whole multigrain loaf and multigrain rolls.
- A half loaf is worth considering if you only use a little bread each day.
- Check the packaging for the weight, nutritional information and allergens of the variety you choose.
Multigrain options at Joybuy
These options are multigrain rolls and part-baked baguettes in individual portions, rather than half or whole fresh loaves. As well as the quantity, check the preparation method and ingredients.
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g'woon multigrain rolls, 4 pack
Four individual rolls are a good option if you don’t want to use a whole loaf with each cup of coffee.
The product information lists wheat, rye, oats, millet and barley, as well as sesame. If you have allergies, check the current packaging, and look at the label if you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij rustic multigrain baguettes, 4 × 135 g
The four individual baguettes are convenient for portioned use, as long as you allow time for defrosting and baking.
This is a frozen product. The product information lists ingredients including wheat, sesame and linseed. Check the packaging for allergens and the correct cooking instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain, while wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. So check for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the bread you choose.
What can I do if I only use a little bread?
Half a loaf may be a better fit if you don’t eat much bread. You can also check the storage instructions for a whole loaf and freeze suitable portions. For its Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel, PLUS recommends freezing it on the day of purchase and using it within one month.
Which allergens should I check in multigrain bread?
It depends on the variety. The product information for the examples mentioned includes cereals containing gluten, sesame and soya. If you have an allergy, check the latest allergen information on the packaging rather than relying on the name of the bread alone.
Can I tell from ‘multigrain’ whether a loaf contains iodised salt?
No. The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you what type of salt is used in the variety you choose. For example, Albert Heijn lists iodised sea salt in AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel. For another loaf, check its own ingredients list.