Smaller households looking to reduce leftovers
If you’re buying bread for one meal or a few occasions, a half loaf may be a better fit than a whole loaf. Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl, ALDI and Dirk list half multigrain loaves in their ranges.
Who is a half loaf useful for?
Home cooks serving bread with a meal
If you’re serving generous toppings or a dip, you can choose a loaf whose description matches the texture you’re after. Albert Heijn describes its AH Vloerbrood meergranen half as firmer, while Lidl also calls its Halfje donker meergranenbrood firm.
Shoppers comparing wholemeal options and fibre
To find out whether a half multigrain loaf is also wholemeal, read the exact product name and ingredients. Compare the stated fibre content on a like-for-like basis, such as per 100 g.
What should you look for when choosing one?
When choosing a half multigrain loaf for a small fakeaway meal, first decide which feature matters most to you. Then check the other details on the label and with the retailer you’re shopping with.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size | Check whether the loaf is sold as a half loaf and whether the packaging tells you how to store any slices you don’t use. | If I only need bread for this meal, I don’t want to be left with a whole loaf. Around 40% of consumers are thought to consider portion size their main reason for buying. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Read the description on the packaging, the ingredients and the fibre content per 100 g. | If wholemeal is my priority, I don’t want to rely on the word ‘multigrain’ alone. For around 30% of consumers, wholemeal or fibre content is thought to be their first consideration. |
| Texture | Check whether the product description mentions, for example, a traditional crusty loaf or a firm texture, and read which grains and seeds it contains. | If I’m serving generous toppings or a dip, I want to choose a bread texture that suits my meal. This is thought to be the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Availability | Check whether the loaf is available at your shop or listed for collection or delivery. | If I want to pick up the bread with the rest of the meal, it needs to be available through my chosen shopping option. Around 10% of consumers are thought to prioritise availability. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’
According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain. The name alone doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal.
Check the product name and ingredients if you’re looking for wholemeal bread. To compare fibre content, use the nutritional information per 100 g.
-
Assuming every half loaf is available to order online
Albert Heijn listed AH Vloerbrood meergranen half as available in store only; Lidl did the same for its Halfje donker meergranenbrood. This matters if you’re planning to get your meal delivered or collect it.
Before you shop, check current availability through your preferred shopping option.
-
Assuming another loaf has the same allergens
Ingredients vary between products. PLUS lists wheat, barley, spelt, soya and sesame, among other ingredients, in its half meerzadenbrood. That doesn’t tell you which allergens are in a different loaf.
Check the latest allergen information for the exact product, especially if you’re shopping for someone else too.
Brands with relevant half loaves
These examples can help you compare product names and packaging information; they don’t indicate whether the products are available from Joybuy.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Vloerbrood meergranen half.
- The product information includes ingredients, nutritional values and allergen details for this product.
- Check the latest label and in-store availability; Albert Heijn notes that product information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s multigrain range includes Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen half.
- The word ‘volkoren’ (wholemeal) in this product name makes it easier to search specifically for this option.
- Check the latest product information and availability before choosing a particular product.
Lidl
Lidl describes its 400 g Halfje donker meergranenbrood as firm and lists wheat, barley and buckwheat.
- The product description gives you a starting point if you’re looking for a dark half loaf containing the grains listed.
- Check the full label in store and confirm current availability.
ALDI
ALDI lists Boeren volkoren meergranen half. Its separate Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood half has a different product name and shouldn’t automatically be treated as a multigrain loaf.
- The name of the boeren variety specifies both wholemeal and multigrain.
- Read the latest label for the product you’ve chosen and check what’s available locally.
PLUS
PLUS Korenlanders Rond licht meerzaden half, 400 g, is a seeded loaf. Bear this distinction in mind if you specifically want to buy a multigrain loaf.
- PLUS lists ingredients, nutritional values and allergens for this seeded variety.
- Check the latest packaging and information from your shop before choosing this product as an alternative.
Dirk
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half as a half multigrain loaf.
- The product name makes it clear that it’s a half multigrain loaf.
- Dirk doesn’t list a delivery service, so check availability if you’re planning a visit to the shop.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but that name doesn’t mean the bread is wholemeal. If you’re looking for a wholemeal option, check the exact product name and ingredients.
Why does allergen information vary between half loaves?
It depends on the product you choose. A loaf containing several grains or seeds may list different allergens from another half multigrain loaf, so always check the latest information on the packaging of the exact product.
Does every half multigrain loaf contain baker’s salt?
You can’t tell from the type of bread alone. Overheid.nl describes baker’s salt as iodised salt used when making bread. For a particular packaged loaf, check the ingredients list for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’.
What should I do with any slices left over after my fakeaway meal?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. If you won’t use all the slices soon, freezing may be an option: Albert Heijn specifically recommends it for its half multigrain loaf.