Who is a half loaf useful for?

Small households looking to use up their bread

Do you shop for one or two people and not eat bread every day? A half loaf may suit your afternoon coffee and the days that follow better, provided you use it in good time or freeze it.

Shoppers comparing wholemeal bread and fibre

If you want to know more than the word ‘multigrain’ tells you, check whether the bread is labelled wholemeal and look at the nutritional information per 100 g. This lets you compare specific loaves on a like-for-like basis.

Shoppers who care about texture and ingredients

Seeds and kernels can affect the texture of a loaf. If you prefer a soft texture or need to check for allergens, read the ingredients and allergen information for the product you choose.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with how much bread your household gets through. Then compare the wholemeal labelling, nutritional information and ingredients of the half loaves you’re considering.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters most to
Portion size and storage Check that it’s a half loaf, how much it weighs and what the label says about storing or freezing it. If I only eat bread occasionally with one or two people at home, I don’t want to be left with a whole loaf. Around 42% of shoppers prioritise reducing food waste.
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the wholemeal labelling and compare fibre and salt per 100 g on each loaf’s label. The word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell me whether the loaf is wholemeal, and that’s what I want to choose based on. Wholemeal and fibre are the most important factors for around 33% of shoppers.
Texture and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information for the specific loaf, checking which grains, seeds and kernels are listed. With my afternoon coffee, I want to know whether the bread has a firm bite and what ingredients it contains. Around 25% of shoppers say these checks are their top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’

    The word multigrain doesn’t tell you by itself whether a loaf is wholemeal. If wholemeal is important to you, you could end up choosing a different loaf from the one you intended.

    Check the product description and compare the fibre and salt per 100 g.

  • Buying a half loaf without a storage plan

    You may still have some bread left over from a half loaf if you have fewer chances to eat it than expected.

    Think about when you plan to eat the bread, and follow the product’s instructions for storing or freezing it.

  • Choosing by colour or loaf name alone

    The grains, seeds and kernels used vary from loaf to loaf. This affects the texture and matters if you need to check for allergens.

    Read the full ingredients and allergen information for the specific loaf before buying it.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers AH Vloerbrood meergranen half as one of its own-brand options.

  • The product name identifies it as a half multigrain loaf.
  • Check the latest product information for this loaf to compare fibre, salt and allergens.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers products including Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen Half.

  • For this loaf, Jumbo lists 8.0 g of fibre and 0.98 g of salt per 100 g.
  • These values apply to this specific loaf, not to every half loaf from Jumbo.

Lidl

Lidl lists Halfje donker meergranenbrood, weighing 400 g.

  • Lidl describes it as a firm loaf with grains and seeds, including wheat, barley and buckwheat.
  • Check the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific loaf if texture, allergens or fibre are important to your choice.

ALDI

ALDI lists Boeren volkoren meergranen as a half-loaf option.

  • The product name includes both ‘volkoren meergranen’ and ‘half’.
  • Use the nutritional information on the packaging to compare this loaf with other options.

PLUS

PLUS offers Korenlanders Extra donker volkoren vloer half, weighing 400 g.

  • For this loaf, PLUS lists 7.2 g of fibre and 1.02 g of salt per 100 g, as well as ingredient and freezing information.
  • The product lists cereals containing gluten and sesame as allergens; check the latest packaging.

Dirk

Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half as a fresh half multigrain loaf.

  • The product name makes clear that it’s a half multigrain loaf.
  • Check the packaging if you want to compare nutritional values or allergens with another loaf.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread always wholemeal?

No, the word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you by itself that a loaf is wholemeal. Check the product description and ingredients for the specific loaf; compare the fibre per 100 g if it matters to your choice.

How should I store a half loaf if I’m not going to eat it straight away?

Follow the storage instructions for the loaf and freeze portions if needed. For Korenlanders Extra donker volkoren vloer half, PLUS recommends freezing the bread on the day you buy it and using it within one month.

Does every loaf made with baker’s salt contain the same amount of iodine?

No, don’t assume that every loaf contains a set amount of iodine. Voedingscentrum explains that bread made with iodised baker’s salt is one way iodine is found in Dutch bread. Check the ingredients list for the loaf you buy; the words ‘baker’s salt’ alone don’t tell you how much iodine is in a portion.

Which allergens should I check in a half multigrain loaf?

Always check the allergen information for the specific loaf. For Korenlanders Extra donker volkoren vloer half, PLUS lists cereals containing gluten and sesame; according to the product information, it may also contain egg, soya, milk and lupin. Don’t assume this information applies to other loaves without checking their labels.