Who is a half loaf handy for?

Small households hosting an Easter brunch

If you’re buying bread for one or a few people, a half loaf helps you get the quantity right for brunch. Before buying, decide whether you’ll freeze any leftover slices.

Shoppers looking for wholemeal bread and fibre

A bread made with several types of grain isn’t automatically wholemeal. Check the product name and ingredients list, and compare the fibre per 100 g if that matters to you.

Shoppers who read labels carefully

If you have an allergy or prefer certain ingredients, the information for the exact variant matters. Check the allergen information, and separately look for baker’s salt or iodised salt in the ingredients.

What should you look for when buying?

First, choose a quantity that suits the number of people eating. Then compare the labels on the half loaves you’re considering.

What to consider What to check when buying Who should consider this?
Quantity and leftovers Check that it really is a half loaf, and look at the weight or number of portions. For a small Easter brunch, I don’t want to buy more bread than we’ll use, and I want to be able to freeze any leftovers. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers.
Wholemeal and fibre Look for a wholemeal claim and compare the fibre per 100 g of the specific loaves. I’m looking for a loaf with a clearly identifiable wholemeal base, not just a name that mentions several grains. This is the most important consideration for around 29% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the latest allergen information and, if you wish, check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt has been used. If I need to watch out for certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in this particular loaf. Around 21% of consumers prioritise checking the label.
Shop and availability Check whether your shop stocks the half loaf you want, and read the product information there. I want to be able to pick up a suitable half loaf at the shop where I’m doing my Easter shopping. This practical availability matters most to around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing ‘multigrain’ with ‘wholemeal’

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the term multigrain doesn’t mean that all the grains used are wholegrain. The bread may also contain white flour.

    Look for an explicit wholemeal claim, read the ingredients list and then compare the nutritional information per 100 g.

  • Not having a plan for leftover slices

    You can still have some bread left over after a small brunch, even with a half loaf. A smaller pack doesn’t automatically prevent waste.

    Estimate how much bread you’ll need in advance, and freeze any slices you won’t use soon in portions.

  • Judging by appearance if you have an allergy

    You can’t tell from seeds or visible grains which allergens a loaf contains, or which traces are listed on the packaging.

    Read the allergen information on the exact packaging. If the bread is unwrapped, ask about this information before buying.

  • Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt, so its presence varies from product to product.

    Check the ingredients list for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’ if you want to take this into account when choosing.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s AH Vloerbrood meergranen half is an example of a half brown multigrain loaf.

  • Albert Heijn lists 11 portions of 35 g and 5,2 g of fibre per 100 g for this variant.
  • According to the ingredients list, this variant contains both wholemeal wheat flour and white wheat flour. Check the current packaging if you specifically want wholemeal bread.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers several half multigrain loaves, including Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen Half.

  • For this wholemeal variant, Jumbo lists 55,7% wholemeal wheat flour and 8,0 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Check the allergen information for each variant, as it isn’t the same for all half multigrain loaves.

Lidl

Lidl lists a 400 g dark multigrain half loaf.

  • The weight gives you a clear starting point for planning how much bread you’ll need for brunch.
  • Check the packaging if wholemeal ingredients, fibre, salt or allergens will influence your choice.

ALDI

ALDI lists Boeren volkoren meergranen as a half loaf in its daily fresh range.

  • The product description makes the size and wholemeal multigrain category clear.
  • Check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens for this specific variant on the packaging.

PLUS

PLUS Korenlanders Rond licht meerzaden half is a 400 g half loaf with multiple seeds; ‘multiple seeds’ and ‘multigrain’ aren’t interchangeable product descriptions.

  • PLUS lists 5,5 g of fibre per 100 g and baker’s salt among the ingredients for this variant.
  • The product description calls it a brown loaf with seeds. Check the wording if you specifically want wholemeal bread.

Dirk

Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half as a half-loaf option.

  • A half-size pack is useful if you’re buying bread for a small group.
  • Base your choice on the wholemeal ingredients, nutritional information or allergens listed on the packaging you choose.

Multigrain bread at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain means that several types of grain are used, but the bread may also contain white flour. Look for a wholemeal claim and check the ingredients for the exact variant.

Does every loaf in the Netherlands contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. Check the label or, if the bread is unwrapped, ask about the ingredients to find out which salt has been used.

What should I do with bread left over after Easter brunch?

Freeze any slices you won’t use soon in portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping wholemeal bread for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1 to 3 months in the freezer.

Where can I check the allergens in a half multigrain loaf?

For pre-packed bread, read the allergen information on the exact packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed on the labels of pre-packed products. If the bread is unwrapped, ask about the allergen information before buying.