Who is a half loaf useful for?

Small households entertaining guests

If you’re serving bread at a small coffee break and don’t eat it every day, a half loaf makes it easier to buy the right amount. If you have any slices left over, you can freeze them in individual portions.

Shoppers looking specifically for wholemeal bread

You’re looking for more than just a loaf made with several types of grain: you want a clearly labelled wholemeal option. Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and, if it matters to your choice, compare the stated fibre content per 100 g.

Hosts checking for allergens

If a guest has an allergy, the name of the bread alone isn’t enough to help you choose. Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about possible traces on the label of the exact loaf you plan to serve.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, work out how much bread you’ll need for your coffee break. Then compare the ‘wholemeal’ label, allergen information and availability of the half-loaf option.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Portion size Check that it’s a half loaf and see how many grams or slices you’ll get. Think about which slices you might freeze. When I’m hosting a small group, I don’t want to be left with lots of bread that I can’t eat in time. Portion size would be the main consideration for around 42% of consumers.
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and compare the stated fibre per 100 g if you’re choosing between products. If I want to serve wholemeal bread, I want to be able to tell from the product name rather than judge by its dark colour. Around 33% of consumers would focus mainly on choosing wholemeal.
Allergens Read the up-to-date ingredients and allergen information for the option you’ve chosen, including any warnings about possible traces. If a guest has an allergy, I want to know which ingredients and warnings apply to this loaf. Around 17% of consumers would make this their top priority.
Availability Check whether the exact half-loaf option is available at your local store or for your chosen delivery or collection time. I want to plan my shopping around a loaf I can actually take home or order. Availability would be the main consideration for around 8% of consumers.

Common mistakes when choosing bread

  • Mistaking dark multigrain bread for wholemeal bread

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ refers to bread made with at least three types of grain. The colour and the presence of several grains don’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal.

    If you want wholemeal bread, look specifically for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name or on the packaging, and read the ingredients list.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a plan for the leftovers

    At a small coffee break, you may have slices left over that you won’t use straight away. A whole loaf is practical only if you have a use for the rest, too.

    Choose a half loaf if that’s enough, or freeze any leftover slices from a whole loaf in individual portions.

  • Assuming seeded bread is suitable for every guest

    Ingredients vary from product to product. For example, the PLUS half multiseed option lists cereals containing gluten, soya and sesame, as well as warnings about possible traces of other allergens.

    Ask guests which allergens they need to avoid and check the current label on the bread you’re serving.

  • Assuming which salt has been used from the type of bread

    The name ‘multigrain bread’ doesn’t tell you whether the product is made with iodised baker’s salt.

    If you want to know about a particular loaf, check the ingredients list and contact the manufacturer if anything is unclear.

Supermarket chains with relevant bread options

Several chains list half-loaf options, but check the exact type of bread and its availability before completing your shop.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists options including AH Zaans meergranen half.

  • A clearly labelled half multigrain option to consider.
  • Check the current label: ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists both half multigrain loaves and half loaves labelled ‘wholemeal’.

  • For example, you could look for Jumbo Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen Half.
  • Check which option is available at your local store or for your chosen delivery or collection time.

PLUS

PLUS lists Korenlanders Rond licht meerzaden half, weighing 400 g. Multiseed bread isn’t automatically the same type of bread as the multigrain loaf you’re looking for.

  • The product information lists ingredients including wheat, soya and sesame, making it easier to check the label for specific allergens.
  • Check that the type of bread suits your needs, and read the current information about allergens and possible traces.

Dirk

Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half.

  • The product name makes it clear that it’s a half multigrain loaf.
  • Check availability at the store where you do your shopping.

ALDI

ALDI lists Boeren volkoren meergranen half in its fresh daily bread range.

  • The name includes both ‘wholemeal’ and the half-loaf size.
  • Check in store to see whether this option is available.

Lidl

Lidl lists multigrain bread in its freshly baked range and publishes ingredients and allergen information.

  • The ingredients list gives you a starting point for checking whether the bread is suitable for your guests.
  • Check in store which loaf sizes are available if you’re specifically looking for a half loaf.

Joybuy products to consider

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but the name alone doesn’t mean the bread is wholemeal. For a wholemeal option, look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and check the ingredients.

What should I do with bread left over after a coffee break?

Freeze any slices you won’t use soon in individual portions. That way, you can take just the amount you need out of the freezer for your next coffee break.

How can I check whether bread is suitable for a guest with an allergy?

Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the exact loaf you’ve chosen. Check for warnings about possible traces, too: for example, a PLUS half multiseed option lists cereals containing gluten, soya and sesame.

How can I tell whether bread contains iodised baker’s salt?

Check the ingredients list for the specific loaf to see which type of salt has been used. If it isn’t clear, ask the manufacturer; the name ‘multigrain bread’ won’t tell you.