Whether you’re serving toast, dips or toppings for an Asian-themed evening, first choose a multigrain bread whose actual slice thickness you can check: ‘sliced’ doesn’t confirm that the slices are medium-thick. If wholemeal matters to you, also check the product description and ingredients; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘wholemeal’. For the exact variety, also check the allergens and, if it’s relevant to your choice, the type of salt used.
For toast, dips or toppings, you’ll want to know whether the bread is pre-sliced and whether the slices are suitable for serving. Check the thickness for yourself: descriptions such as ‘sliced’, ‘half’ and ‘whole’ don’t indicate medium-thick slices.
The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between the types of grain used and the ‘wholemeal’ description, so check the ingredients and nutritional information for the bread you’re considering too.
If you have specific ingredient requirements, the details for the exact bread variety matter more than the type of bread. Check the allergen information and, if it’s relevant to your choice, whether iodised baker’s salt has been used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt is not compulsory.
Start with the slice if you want to serve the bread straight away. Then check the wholemeal description, nutritional information and any ingredients that matter to you for the exact variety.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice and how you’ll use it | Check how thick the slices actually are, or ask at the bakery counter. ‘Half’ and ‘whole’ describe the size of the loaf, not the thickness of the slices. | If I’m serving toast, dips or toppings, I want bread that’s already sliced, with slices that suit how I’ll use it. For around 42% of consumers, getting the right slice comes first. |
| Wholemeal bread and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ description and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information for the exact varieties. | If you choose multigrain for its mix of grains, you’ll want to know whether the bread is also wholemeal rather than relying on its name. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Salt and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information. Check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed if it’s relevant to your choice. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or want to know which salt has been used, I need that information before choosing a loaf. This check matters most to around 25% of consumers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain. The description doesn’t tell you whether the bread is entirely wholemeal.
If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, check that ‘wholemeal’ is clearly stated on the packaging or bread label, and check the ingredients for the variety you’ve chosen.
Pre-sliced bread can save you time, but the description doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. ‘Half’ also refers to the size of the loaf.
Check a slice or ask about its thickness before buying bread for toast, dips or toppings.
The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you which allergens the exact variety contains or which salt has been used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt is not compulsory.
Read the current product information and, if you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask for the allergen information for that variety before you buy.
These examples from supermarkets show different types of bread and product descriptions. Always check the slices, ingredients and nutritional information for the bread you actually choose.
Albert Heijn describes AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen gesneden as a 550 g brown multigrain bread made with sourdough and seeds.
Jumbo’s multigrain range includes Stevig Meergranen, Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen and Waldkorn varieties.
Lidl lists a multigrain bread made with ingredients including wheat, barley and buckwheat as an in-store product.
ALDI lists both a pre-sliced luxury multigrain hearth loaf and a sliced half loaf of Boeren volkoren meergranen.
PLUS lists Korenlanders multigrain breads, among other products; ingredients and nutritional values are provided for a dark multigrain bread.
Dirk’s search results show multigrain breads in different formats, including loaves with ‘half’ and ‘whole’ in their names.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but that doesn’t mean it’s made entirely from wholemeal flour. If this matters to your choice, check for the ‘wholemeal’ description and read the ingredients for the exact variety.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt is not compulsory. Check the ingredients or, if you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask which salt has been used for that variety.
Ask for the allergen information for the exact variety before you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says customers must be given information about 14 allergens for unpackaged food. Don’t rely on the name or appearance of the bread alone.
It depends on the variety you choose and its storage instructions. PLUS says that Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel can be frozen at home on the day of purchase. Check the instructions on the packaging of your bread.
