A half loaf of multigrain bread is a good choice for a small Boxing Day buffet if you don’t expect to use a whole loaf. Don’t choose based on the word ‘multigrain’ alone: compare the amount of bread, whether it’s labelled wholemeal, the fibre per 100 g and the allergens in the specific product. If you’re unsure how many guests will come, you can freeze the bread in portions as soon as you buy it, then take out only what you need, as advised by the Voedingscentrum.
If you’re expecting only a few people, half a loaf makes it easier to match the amount of bread to your buffet. If you do have some left over, the Voedingscentrum recommends freezing it in portions and taking out only what you need each time.
The word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t necessarily mean that a loaf is wholemeal. Check the wholemeal label, ingredients and stated fibre per 100 g for the loaf you’re thinking of buying.
If you’re serving a buffet to guests with an allergy or gluten intolerance, check the latest ingredients and allergen information for every loaf. Also consider how you’ll slice and serve the bread to avoid cross-contamination with other bread.
First, work out how much bread you’re likely to serve. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients of loaves in a suitable size. Consider the crust and texture you prefer, too, and when you’ll be serving the bread.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and leftovers | Compare the weight or number of portions with how much you expect to use. Check whether you can freeze any unused portions straight away. | For a small buffet, I want to serve enough slices without having lots of bread left over. Getting the amount right is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check the wholemeal label and ingredients, and compare fibre on the same basis: per 100 g. | If I’m mainly looking for wholemeal bread, I don’t want to judge by the word ‘multigrain’ or the colour of the crust. This is the first thing around 29% of consumers consider. |
| Crust and texture | Read the description of the type of bread and check which seeds or grains are listed. | If the bread is going straight onto the buffet, the crust and how well it goes with the toppings matter to me. Around 21% of consumers prioritise how the bread tastes and feels. |
| Allergens | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information for the exact product. Also check for any risk of cross-contamination when serving. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know which bread I can serve separately and safely. This check comes first for around 14% of consumers. |
Bread made with several types of grain isn’t automatically made from wholemeal flour. The colour alone won’t tell you how much fibre that particular loaf contains, either.
Look for the wholemeal label and ingredients on the packaging and, if the information is available, compare fibre per 100 g.
‘Half’ doesn’t tell you how many slices you’ll get for the buffet. Lidl lists its Halfje donker meergranenbrood at 400 g, while Albert Heijn lists 11 portions of 35 g for AH Vloerbrood meergranen half.
Estimate how many slices you’ll need in advance, then compare the weight or portion size of the loaves you’re considering.
A multigrain name doesn’t give you the full picture of the grains and other ingredients used. Even if a loaf is specifically labelled gluten-free, you’ll still need to check for allergens that are relevant to your guests.
Read the latest packaging for the exact product. When slicing and serving, use separate utensils and equipment wherever there’s a risk of cross-contamination.
A product listing doesn’t mean that a loaf will be available at your local shop around Boxing Day. Lidl marks its Halfje donker meergranenbrood as available in store only.
Check local availability and opening times shortly before you shop, and have an alternative type of bread in mind.
These examples show some half loaves you could compare. For your own buffet, always check the latest packaging and availability at the shop where you’re buying your groceries.
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Vloerbrood meergranen half.
Jumbo lists Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen Half in its range.
Lidl lists a 400 g Halfje donker meergranenbrood.
ALDI lists a half farmhouse wholemeal multigrain loaf.
PLUS lists a 400 g Korenlanders Rond licht meerzaden half and a separate Schär multigrain loaf labelled gluten-free.
Dirk lists two half loaves from Bakker van der Akker: Bakkers meergranen half and Casino meergranen Volkoren half.
No. ‘Multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean that the bread is made from wholemeal flour. If you’re looking for a wholemeal variety, the Voedingscentrum advises checking the label and ingredients of the specific loaf.
Ideally, freeze it in portions as soon as you buy it and take out only what you need, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. That way, if you’re unsure how many guests will come, you don’t have to put all the bread out at once.
Don’t assume it’s suitable: ordinary multigrain loaves may contain grains that contain gluten. Check for a product specifically labelled gluten-free, read the latest packaging for other allergens that may be relevant to your guest, and take care to avoid cross-contamination at the buffet.
