If you want to share bread with dinner
If bread is an extra for your Asian-themed evening, choose an amount that suits your party. A part-baked baguette needs some preparation; a half loaf may be more convenient if you’d also like sandwiches later.
Which type of bread is right for you?
If you’re looking for wholemeal bread for every day
The term multigrain doesn’t mean that a loaf is wholemeal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes multigrain bread as bread made with at least three types of grain. For everyday use, look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and, if you like, compare the fibre per 100 g.
If you need to avoid gluten or other allergens
If you need to meet an allergen requirement, don’t rely on the name of the bread. Check the current ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide how much bread you want to serve or keep. Then check the preparation, whether it’s labelled ‘wholemeal’ and which allergens matter to those who’ll be eating it.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and leftovers | Check the size and consider whether you can store any bread you don’t use. | If I only need a small amount to go with a meal, I don’t want lots left over. Around 37% of consumers would prioritise choosing the right quantity. |
| Warm bread to share | Check the quantity in each pack, as well as the preparation method and time required. | For a meal shared with others, I want to serve warm bread without its preparation disrupting my plans. Around 27% of consumers would mainly prioritise serving warm bread to share. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the specific ‘wholemeal’ label and compare fibre per 100 g. | If I eat the bread every day too, I want to know that it really is wholemeal, rather than just multigrain. This would be the main factor in the choice for around 27% of consumers. |
| Gluten and other allergens | Read the current allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. | If someone eating the bread needs to avoid certain allergens, the packaging must make this clear before I choose a loaf. Around 9% of consumers would put this requirement first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain means wholemeal
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread is made with at least three types of grain. This doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal.
Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the packaging, and check the nutritional information if you want to compare fibre per 100 g.
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Looking only at the number of loaves
Two small baguettes, half a loaf and a whole loaf won’t necessarily provide the same amount of bread for your meal.
Check the pack weight and choose a size you can eat or store.
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Assuming multigrain tells you about allergens
The Jumbo Stevig Meergranen we looked at contains wheat, barley, sesame and soya, among other ingredients. Bread labelled gluten-free may also contain other allergens.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information, as well as any ‘may contain’ warnings, every time you buy bread—especially if you’re choosing it for guests.
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Choosing a large loaf without a plan for leftovers
If bread is just an extra with a meal, a whole loaf may be more than you need that evening.
Choose an amount to suit your party, and decide in advance whether you’ll use or freeze any leftover bread.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has an online category for multigrain and corn bread, which includes an AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen product.
- You can browse different types of bread in the category.
- Check the pack weight and nutritional information for the specific bread you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers wholemeal multigrain loaves, including Stevig Meergranen with seeds.
- For Stevig Meergranen, Jumbo lists the ingredients and allergens, as well as 8,6 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Check whether the specific product is labelled ‘wholemeal’ and review its allergens. Don’t rely on the brand name.
PLUS
PLUS offers wholemeal multigrain baguettes to bake at home, as well as Brood van Soma Haverkorn multigrain bread.
- The product information includes details such as pack weight, ingredients and nutritional values.
- The baguettes need to be prepared, so you’ll need to factor this into your meal plans.
Dirk
Dirk offers products including Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half.
- A half loaf may suit you if you only want to use a limited amount.
- Check the weight and current allergen information on the packaging for this product.
Schär
Schär Meesterbakker Mehrkorn is sold as gluten-free multigrain bread.
- The clear gluten-free label tells you which product claim to check on the packaging.
- Check for other allergens too: the product information lists soya and the possible presence of lupin, mustard and sesame.
Multigrain bread at Joybuy
These types of bread suit different quantities for sharing at a meal or using later. Check the packaging and preparation instructions for each product before you choose.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, multipack
The baguette shape could work well if you’d like to share bread at dinner. The product title and description give different pack sizes, so check how many baguettes are included. Also check the current preparation instructions and allergen information.
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g'woon Multigrain Rolls, 4 rolls
Four individual multigrain rolls let you serve bread one roll at a time. Check the pack weight, preparation instructions and current label. If milk or soya is relevant to someone eating them, don’t rely on the bread’s name.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g
This 550 g round multigrain loaf is an option if you want to cut into a whole loaf. Allow time for defrosting and cooking in a fan oven. Check the instructions on the packaging and the current allergen information.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 2 × 550 g
This pack of two round loaves is a good fit for several meals if you can use or store the quantity. Allow time for defrosting and cooking in a fan oven. Check the packaging for instructions and the current allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread is made with at least three different types of grain; the name doesn’t mean that the bread is wholemeal. Check the specific product description and ingredients list to find out.
Which bread can I serve warm for an Asian-themed evening?
A part-baked multigrain baguette could work well if you want to serve warm bread in pieces and can plan around the preparation time. Check that you have the right appliance available. For the PLUS baguettes we looked at, PLUS recommends 8–10 minutes in the oven or 5–6 minutes in an air fryer.
How can I avoid leftovers if I only need a little bread?
Choose an amount that suits the number of people eating, such as half a loaf if you don’t need many slices. If you do have bread left over, decide in advance whether you’ll use it later or freeze it.
Is regular multigrain bread suitable for someone who needs to avoid gluten?
Don’t assume it is: the Jumbo Stevig Meergranen we looked at contains wheat and barley, among other ingredients. For that person, check the specific gluten-free label as well as the other allergens and warnings on the current packaging.