A half loaf of multigrain bread is a good choice for a small group if you think a whole loaf will be left over. Freeze any unused slices for another time. And don’t choose on the basis of the word ‘multigrain’ alone: compare the ingredients, fibre and salt per 100 g, and check the allergens and type of salt listed on the label.
If you’re serving bread to a small group, a half loaf means you won’t need to put out as many slices at once. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread you won’t eat soon and taking out only what you need each time.
When you’re serving dips, vegetables, cheese or savoury spreads, you’ll want bread that suits the way you plan to serve it. Check whether it’s sliced and which grains, kernels or seeds it contains, rather than relying on the word ‘multigrain’ alone.
If you want to compare wholemeal flour, fibre or salt, or need to check allergens for your guests, read the ingredients, nutrition information per 100 g and allergen statement for the specific loaf.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and leftovers | Check that it’s a half loaf and think about how many slices you’ll serve. Freeze any slices left over. | If I’m serving bread to a small group, I don’t want to be left with lots of unused slices. Getting the quantity right is a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Serving with toppings | Check whether the bread is sliced and which grains, kernels or seeds are listed in the ingredients. | When serving dips and savoury toppings, I want slices that suit the way I’m serving them. Suitability for this purpose is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal base and fibre | Compare the flour used and the amount of fibre and salt per 100 g; the word ‘multigrain’ won’t tell you this. | I want to know what kind of bread I’m serving and compare what’s in it. Around 20% of consumers give nutritional composition the highest priority. |
| Allergens and type of salt | Read the current allergen statement, any ‘may contain’ information and the ingredients list. Check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed. | If guests need to avoid allergens, I don’t want to choose their bread based on the product name. The type of salt may also be relevant to my choice. Around 20% of consumers put checking the label first. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain refers to the use of different types of grain. The term doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour the bread contains.
Check the types of flour in the ingredients list and compare the fibre per 100 g if the composition matters to you.
You could have a lot left over after a dinner party. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread as a food that is often wasted.
Choose a half loaf if that better suits the number of people you’re feeding. If you need more slices after all, freeze the unused portion.
Ingredients and ‘may contain’ statements vary from one recipe to another. The words ‘dark’, ‘wholemeal’ and ‘organic’ are no substitute for an allergen statement.
When you buy it, read the label on the loaf you’ll actually be serving, especially if a guest needs to avoid an allergen.
The words ‘multigrain’ or ‘organic’ won’t tell you which type of salt is used in a particular loaf. For example, Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in the ingredients for Biologisch Zaans meergranen half.
Check the packaging to see whether the ingredients list includes baker’s salt or iodised salt.
These product examples can help you compare sizes and labels. Before buying, check the range and packaging of the loaf you’re considering.
Albert Heijn has product pages for Zaans meergranen half and an organic half-loaf option.
Jumbo Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen - Half is a half-loaf option with detailed product information.
Lidl lists a 400 g half loaf of dark multigrain bread as an in-store product.
ALDI lists Boeren volkoren meergranen Half as a half-loaf option in store.
PLUS Korenlanders Rond licht meerzaden half is a half-loaf option with seeds and kernels, but it’s not the same product as a half loaf of multigrain bread.
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half as a separate half-loaf option.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread is made with different types of grain, but the name alone doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour has been used. Check the ingredients list and compare the fibre per 100 g if that’s important to you.
Choose an amount of bread to suit the number of people you’re feeding, and freeze any unused slices. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread and taking out only what you need each time.
Don’t assume so based on the name of the bread. Check the ingredients list for the specific product to see whether it contains baker’s salt or iodised salt; Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for Biologisch Zaans meergranen half.
Check the allergen statement and any ‘may contain’ information on the current packaging. For Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen - Half, Jumbo lists cereals containing gluten and possible traces of, among other things, milk, sesame and soya. The information may differ for another loaf.
