For a coffee break, choose medium-sliced multigrain bread labelled ‘wholemeal’ if the ingredients and fibre content are your priorities. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ on its own does not mean that bread is wholemeal. Also check that the slice is easy to handle, and read the label for seeds, allergens, salt and whether iodised baker’s salt has been used. If you have difficulty swallowing, slice thickness is no substitute for an individual assessment, as Thuisarts advises.
If you have bread with your coffee and want to compare fibre content, the ‘wholemeal’ label and nutritional information per 100 g are more useful than the name ‘multigrain’ alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between wholemeal bread and bread that also contains white flour.
A medium-sliced piece of bread can be practical for a small portion that’s easy to spread. The bread’s texture also matters if you have difficulty chewing or swallowing; Thuisarts advises getting the cause of swallowing problems investigated first.
If you need to watch out for particular ingredients or allergens, check the packaging of the bread you choose. Multigrain bread can contain various grains and seeds; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the label also states whether baker’s salt has been used.
For a small coffee break, start with the ingredients you’re looking for, then separately consider whether the slice is comfortable to eat. Next, check the label and choose a loaf size that suits how much you’ll use.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare the fibre content per 100 g in the nutritional information. | I want bread with my coffee whose ingredients I can assess, rather than relying on the name ‘multigrain’; around 36% of consumers prioritise ingredients and fibre. |
| Ease of eating | Check the slice thickness, crust and seeds. If you cough or choke while eating, seek a professional assessment rather than relying on slice thickness. | A small slice should be easy to handle and eat; around 29% of consumers consider ease of eating the most important factor. |
| Ingredients and type of salt | Read the allergen information and check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed. | If I need to avoid an ingredient or want to know which salt has been used, the label determines my choice; around 21% of consumers prioritise checking this. |
| Loaf size and storage | Choose a loaf size that matches how much you’ll use, and follow the storage instructions for the product. | For a small portion with my coffee, I don’t want to buy more bread than I can use; around 14% of consumers mainly choose based on loaf size and storage. |
Bread made with several types of grain does not have to be made entirely with wholemeal flour. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the ‘wholemeal’ label does confirm this.
Check for that label, then compare the fibre content per 100 g of the breads you’re considering.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when baking bread is not compulsory. So you can’t tell from the name of a multigrain bread whether it contains it.
If the type of salt used matters to you, read the ingredients list of the bread you’re considering.
A medium-sliced piece of bread tells you nothing about whether its crust or seeds are suitable if you have difficulty swallowing. Thuisarts advises finding out what is causing the problem first.
If you cough, choke or have difficulty swallowing, ask for personal advice about suitable foods.
A whole loaf may contain more slices than you can eat in time if you’re only having a small coffee break.
Consider buying half a loaf or follow the product’s freezing instructions. Albert Heijn says that AH OerDesem donker meergranen heel gesneden can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
These product examples can help you read labels; check the slice thickness and information on the packaging of the product you buy before making your choice.
AH OerDesem donker meergranen heel gesneden is an example of a whole multigrain loaf.
Jumbo provides product information for Waldkorn bruin meergranenbrood met pitten en zaden.
Dirk describes Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half as a half-sized multigrain loaf.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘wholemeal’ on bread means it is made with wholemeal flour; ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t confirm this. So if it matters to your choice, check the label on the packaging.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when baking bread is not compulsory. If you want to know whether it has been used, read the ingredients list for the specific loaf.
You can’t tell from slice thickness alone. Thuisarts advises finding out what is causing swallowing problems first; ask for personal advice about which food textures are suitable.
Choose a loaf size that suits how much you’ll use and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. Albert Heijn says that AH OerDesem donker meergranen heel gesneden can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; check the instructions for each other loaf separately.
Check the allergen information and make sure the bread you choose is explicitly labelled gluten-free. The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you this: the product examples described contain wheat or other gluten-containing grains.
