Choose half a multigrain loaf for a secondary school lunch if a whole loaf is unlikely to be eaten at home. Look beyond the name: ‘multigrain’ does not automatically mean ‘wholemeal’, and fibre content and allergens vary by product. If eating gluten-free is essential, don’t choose based on the word ‘multigrain’. Check that the bread is clearly labelled gluten-free and meets the individual dietary requirements.
If one or a few people take sandwiches to school, half a loaf lets you choose an amount that better matches the number of lunches. This only helps to reduce waste if the bread is eaten or stored according to the instructions on the packaging.
If you want to know more than the word ‘multigrain’ tells you, compare the wholemeal labelling, ingredients and fibre per 100 g.
If there are individual dietary requirements, the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements are what matter. Also check the school’s rules about packed lunches.
First, work out how much bread will be needed for school lunches. Then compare the wholemeal labelling and nutritional information, or, if an allergy-related or gluten-free diet is essential, prioritise whether the bread meets the requirements on the label.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and waste | Compare the weight or number of portions with the lunches you have planned, and read the storage instructions. | If I’m only packing a few lunches, I don’t want to be left with uneaten bread. Around 37% of consumers would prioritise an amount that suits their needs. |
| Wholemeal bread and fibre | Look for an explicit wholemeal statement and compare the fibre per 100 g on the label. | When choosing, I want to know which grains have been used rather than relying on the word ‘multigrain’. Around 36% of consumers would make wholemeal bread and fibre their first selection criteria. |
| Allergens and gluten | Read the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements; check the school’s rules if needed. | If the lunch needs to meet individual dietary requirements, I need to know whether the bread is suitable before packing it. For around 27% of consumers, allergy-related or gluten requirements would be the deciding factor. |
According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread is made from at least three different types of grain. The name alone doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal or how much fibre it contains.
Look for an explicit wholemeal statement and compare the fibre per 100 g.
Albert Heijn and Jumbo list cereals containing gluten in the product information for the half multigrain loaves mentioned here. For Waldkorn, Jumbo also lists sesame and soya. A product labelled gluten-free may still contain other allergens.
Read all the information on the current packaging and check it against the individual dietary requirements.
The Voedingscentrum states that bread does not have to be baked with baker’s salt. Its presence therefore varies from product to product.
Check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed in the ingredients.
For the half wholemeal multigrain loaf mentioned here, Jumbo says it is no longer part of its online range. A product listing therefore doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be able to choose the loaf the next time you shop.
Check current availability, and use the packaging of the bread you actually buy to check the ingredients and allergens.
Albert Heijn describes AH Vloerbrood meergranen half as a half brown multigrain loaf.
Jumbo lists both Waldkorn Meergranen Brood Half and Jumbo Volkoren Meergranen Brood Half.
PLUS describes Korenlanders Rond licht meerzaden half as a 400 g pack; the product description calls it brown multigrain bread.
Dirk lists a half multigrain loaf and a half wholemeal multigrain tin loaf from Bakker van der Akker.
Lidl lists a 400 g Halfje donker meergranenbrood as an in-store product.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ means the bread is made from at least three different types of grain. Look separately for a wholemeal statement and compare the fibre per 100 g if these details matter to you.
The standard half multigrain loaves mentioned here are not gluten-free: their product information lists cereals containing gluten. If a gluten-free lunch is essential, check a clearly labelled gluten-free alternative for all relevant allergens and make sure it meets the individual dietary requirements.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread does not have to be baked with baker’s salt. Read the ingredients list for the bread you choose, or ask which salt has been used if the bread is unpackaged.
Follow the storage instructions for the bread you buy and choose an amount that matches the lunches you have planned. Don’t automatically apply a storage period or instruction for a different type of bread, such as packaged gluten-free bread, to fresh bread.
