For a small Easter lunch, first choose a loaf in a quantity that suits the number of people you’re serving. A half loaf can help reduce leftovers, provided you store any uneaten slices properly. Don’t assume that ‘multigrain’ means your bread is wholemeal: check the ingredients, fibre per 100 g and any allergens on the current label.
If you’re serving bread to one or a few people, a half loaf can help you choose a quantity that’s better suited to your lunch. If you have slices left over, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing the bread in portions as soon as possible.
The word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal. So check for a wholemeal claim and look at the nutritional information, including the fibre per 100 g.
If particular ingredients or allergens matter to you, read the current label before you buy. If bread is sold loose and allergen information isn’t displayed by the shelf, ask for it.
Work out how much bread you need, then compare only the features that matter most for your lunch, such as wholemeal flour, texture or ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and leftovers | Check that it’s a half loaf and look at the weight. Consider whether you can freeze any leftover slices. | For a lunch with just a few people, I don’t want lots of bread left over; around 36% of consumers say reducing leftovers is their top priority. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for a wholemeal claim and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. | If I’m mainly looking for wholemeal bread and fibre, I don’t want to judge by the dark colour or the name; around 29% of consumers give this top priority. |
| Flavour and texture | Check the description of the crust and crumb, and see which grains and seeds are listed. | For the fillings I have planned, I’m looking for a loaf with a crust and texture I enjoy; around 21% of consumers put this first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information; also check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in this particular loaf; around 14% of consumers make checking the label their top priority. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain. That alone doesn’t mean the bread is wholemeal.
Look for an explicit wholemeal claim and check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g if these features matter to you.
The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t give you the full picture of the ingredients. Different loaves may contain different grains, seeds and other allergens.
Read the current label. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must also be available to customers for unpackaged foods. Ask for it when buying loose bread.
Albert Heijn and Lidl say that the half loaves discussed here are available in store. Jumbo says that its half wholemeal multigrain loaf is no longer part of its online range.
Just before you shop for your Easter lunch, check the information from your local branch or supermarket app, and read the current label when you buy.
AH Vloerbrood meergranen half is a half brown multigrain loaf for anyone looking for this style of bread.
Jumbo Volkoren Meergranen Brood Half provides product information for anyone assessing a half loaf for its wholemeal content and fibre.
Halfje donker meergranenbrood is worth considering if you’re looking for a half loaf for a small lunch.
Boeren volkoren meergranen Half combines the terms wholemeal, multigrain and half in the product name.
Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half is a half multigrain loaf in Dirk’s range.
Schär Meesterbakker Mehrkorn at PLUS is a 300 g gluten-free multigrain loaf, not a confirmed fresh half loaf.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain, but the name doesn’t mean the bread is wholemeal. Check for a wholemeal claim and the fibre per 100 g if that’s what you’re looking for.
Freeze any slices you won’t use soon in portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread as soon as possible after buying it, so you can take out only what you need later.
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says information about allergens present must be available to customers for unpackaged foods. If you can’t see this information by the bread, ask before buying.
You can’t tell from the name ‘multigrain bread’. Check the ingredients list for each product to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed. For example, Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for its Vloerbrood meergranen half.
