If you want a roll made entirely from wholemeal flour as the base for your lunch, choose one labelled ‘wholemeal’: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. If you’re not keen on the taste or texture of wholemeal bread, a roll made with some wholemeal flour could be a good stepping stone. Check the ingredients and compare the nutritional information per 100 g, as ‘multigrain’ on its own doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour a product contains.
If you want a roll made entirely from wholemeal flour, don’t judge by its dark colour or seeds. Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare the fibre per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre defines wholemeal bread as bread made from 100% wholemeal flour.
A roll made with both wholemeal flour and white flour could be a good stepping stone if you’re not keen on fully wholemeal bread. Compare the ingredients for each product: the two PLUS multigrain rolls we looked at contain different proportions of wholemeal flour.
Choose a bake-at-home or frozen roll with preparation and storage instructions that suit your plans. Also check the allergens on the packaging of the version you buy.
Decide what matters most for your lunch: 100% wholemeal, a familiar taste with some wholemeal flour, or easy preparation and storage. Then compare the information for the specific rolls you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare fibre per 100 g, not just per roll. | If I want the roll itself to be 100% wholemeal, I want to be able to tell from the product label. For around 50% of consumers, choosing wholemeal is the top priority. |
| Taste and ingredients | Check how much wholemeal flour and white flour are listed in the ingredients; ‘multigrain’ is not the same as ‘wholemeal’. | I don’t always enjoy the texture of fully wholemeal bread, but I still want to know whether the roll contains wholemeal flour. Around 30% of consumers put this middle ground first. |
| Preparation and storage | Check the baking instructions and, for frozen rolls, the storage temperature and instructions for after defrosting. | On busy days, I want to know in advance when I can bake and use the rolls. For around 20% of consumers, this planning is the deciding factor. |
A multigrain roll can contain white flour as well as wholemeal flour. For example, one PLUS multigrain product we looked at lists 34% wholemeal wheat flour and 21% wheat flour; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label if you want a roll made entirely from wholemeal flour. If you choose a mix, check the proportion of wholemeal flour in the ingredients.
A fibre figure without a stated measurement basis makes it difficult to compare rolls of different weights. Salt and allergens may also be relevant to your choice.
Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, consider how much you eat in a serving, and check the allergen information on the current packaging.
The Jumbo frozen rolls we looked at say to store at −18 °C and not to refreeze after defrosting. The white version we looked at must also be prepared and eaten within 24 hours of defrosting.
Only defrost as many as you can use according to the instructions, and follow the storage guidance on the packaging you choose.
Albert Heijn stocks, among other options, a wholemeal roll and a wholemeal sourdough roll.
Jumbo has a range of roll types, including white, brown and frozen varieties.
PLUS stocks multigrain rolls whose ingredients lists show the proportion of wholemeal flour.
Dirk stocks, among other options, a pack of four multigrain rolls.
ALDI lists an individual white roll.
Lidl lists a wholemeal seeded bun as another lunch option.
This white roll is a good fit if you prefer a white bread roll. If you’re looking for a roll made with some wholemeal flour, check the ingredients to see whether a product suits your needs.
Image unavailable
For anyone who wants a white roll with their lunch. If you’re looking for a white and wholemeal flour mix, check the ingredients on the packaging; compare fibre and salt per 100 g as part of your decision too.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, while a multigrain roll may also contain white flour. So if you’re looking for a 100% wholemeal product, check the product label and ingredients list.
Compare nutritional values on the same basis, such as fibre and salt per 100 g, and also check the ingredients, allergens and how much you eat. The AH wholemeal roll we looked at lists 7,1 g of fibre per 100 g; the brown and white Jumbo rolls we looked at list 5,1 g and 2,1 g per 100 g respectively. These figures apply to those specific products.
Check the allergen information on the packaging of the roll you buy. The white, wholemeal and multigrain products we looked at contain wheat or other cereals containing gluten. For each variety, also check for information about other allergens and warnings, as ingredients can change.
Follow the instructions on the exact packaging, including after defrosting. The Jumbo frozen rolls we looked at say to store at −18 °C and not to refreeze after defrosting; the white version we looked at also says to prepare and eat it within 24 hours of defrosting.
No, you can’t tell that from the product name for every roll. The Dutch Commodities Act Decree on the Addition of Micronutrients to Foodstuffs defines bakers’ salt as iodised table salt for bread and other bakery products. Check the ingredients list for the specific roll to see which salt is listed.
