If wholegrain and fibre are your priorities for an everyday savoury breakfast, first look for bread explicitly labelled wholegrain and compare the nutritional information per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means that a loaf contains at least three types of grain; it does not automatically mean it is wholegrain. Check the slice thickness separately on the packaging or in store: ‘sliced’ does not confirm that the bread is medium-sliced.
You often eat bread for a savoury breakfast and want to be able to tell whether it is wholegrain. You would rather compare fibre and salt using the nutritional information than rely on the word ‘multigrain’.
You want a slice that’s easy to handle with toppings such as cheese, egg or hummus. If medium-sliced bread matters to you, check for that separately: a description such as ‘whole loaf, sliced’ says nothing about slice thickness.
You may shop at the same supermarket every time or switch between chains. In that case, the loaf size, ingredients and information on the current packaging are more useful than assuming every multigrain loaf is made in the same way.
Start with the type of bread and the nutritional information per 100 g. Then check that the slices are the thickness you want and that the loaf size suits how you plan to use it.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain, fibre and salt | Look for the word ‘wholegrain’ and compare fibre and salt on a like-for-like basis: per 100 g. | If I eat the same bread for breakfast often, I want to compare what’s in it rather than rely on the name alone. Around 42% of consumers put this check first. |
| Slice thickness and texture | Check whether the bread is sliced and ask specifically for medium-sliced; ‘whole loaf, sliced’ does not describe the slice thickness. | When I have cheese, egg or hummus on my bread, I want a slice that’s easy for me to top and hold. For around 33% of consumers, practicality comes first. |
| Supermarket and loaf size | Check the current range and choose between a whole and a half loaf. | If I buy bread at my usual supermarket, I want a size that suits how much I use. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ refers to bread containing at least three types of grain. So the name alone won’t tell you whether the bread is wholegrain.
Look for ‘wholegrain’ on the packaging, then compare fibre and salt per 100 g.
Albert Heijn describes AH OerDesem dark multigrain as a ‘whole loaf, sliced’ wholegrain multigrain sourdough loaf, while ALDI calls its luxury artisan multigrain loaf ‘pre-sliced’. Neither description specifies the slice thickness.
Check the bread bag or ask in store about the slice thickness if medium-sliced bread is important for your toppings.
The name ‘multigrain bread’ doesn’t tell you what type of salt has been used. Brood.net explains the use of iodine-fortified baker’s salt in the context of an agreement for Dutch bakeries.
If this matters to your choice, check the salt listed in the ingredients and ask the shop or manufacturer if you’re unsure.
Compare a specific loaf and its current label; a brand name alone tells you nothing about whether it’s wholegrain, its slice thickness or its allergens.
Albert Heijn describes AH OerDesem dark multigrain as an 800 g wholegrain multigrain sourdough loaf, sliced as a whole loaf.
Jumbo Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen is a product you can compare by looking at its nutritional information and ingredients.
Lidl describes its multigrain bread as a hearty loaf made with grains including wheat, barley and buckwheat, available in store.
ALDI stocks options including a farmhouse wholegrain multigrain loaf and a luxury artisan multigrain loaf.
The PLUS multigrain range includes products such as Korenlanders Desem Meergranen Boekweit and a small brown multigrain sourdough loaf.
Dirk offers multigrain bread in whole and half sizes, and describes its whole artisan multigrain loaf as hearty, with grains and seeds.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain, but the name alone doesn’t mean the bread is wholegrain. Check that ‘wholegrain’ is explicitly stated on the packaging.
Look at the type of bread and check that the slice suits the toppings you want to use. If you specifically want medium-sliced bread, ask for that slice thickness: ‘whole loaf, sliced’ and ‘pre-sliced’ don’t confirm it.
Read the ingredients list on the bread you’re buying and check the name of the salt used. Brood.net explains the use of iodine-fortified baker’s salt in the context of an agreement for Dutch bakeries; don’t assume it’s used based on the name ‘multigrain’.
Check the allergen information on the current packaging for the specific variety. For its Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen, Jumbo lists ingredients including wheat, rye, barley and oats; don’t use this information for another loaf, even one in the same category.
