Don’t choose based on the word ‘multigrain’ alone. If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, check the label and compare the fibre per 100 g. For a special sweet breakfast, you might prefer to focus on the shape, crust, sourdough and seeds, without assuming these mean higher nutritional value. If you need gluten-free bread, choose a product that is clearly labelled as gluten-free and check the other allergen information too.
If you specifically want wholemeal bread for a sweet breakfast, ‘multigrain’ isn’t enough to guide your choice. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain means that at least three types of grain are used. For the product you choose, also check for a wholemeal label and look at the nutritional information.
For a special breakfast, rustic bread made with sourdough, kernels or seeds can suit the flavour and presentation you’re after. Also compare the ingredients, fibre, salt and allergens in each bread; its appearance won’t tell you everything.
Regular multigrain bread isn’t automatically gluten-free. Look for a clear gluten-free label and read the full allergen information. If you have a wheat allergy, check specifically for wheat: ‘gluten-free’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘wheat-free’.
First decide whether wholemeal, the bread’s texture and appearance for the occasion, or a dietary requirement matters most. Then compare the information for the specific breads you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for a wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g on the packaging of the specific breads. | If I eat a sweet breakfast every day, I want to know whether my bread is actually wholemeal and how much fibre it contains. This is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Flavour and presentation | Check whether sourdough, kernels or seeds are listed in the ingredients, and choose a shape and crust that go well with your toppings. | For brunch, I’m mainly looking for bread whose texture and appearance suit the breakfast table. This is the top consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Gluten and allergens | If you need gluten-free bread, check that it is explicitly labelled as such. For other allergens, read the full product information. | If I need to avoid a particular ingredient, I also need to check that the bread and the way it’s served meet that requirement. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Bread made with several types of grain may also contain refined flour. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ on its own doesn’t mean that the whole grain has been used.
Look for ‘wholemeal’ if that’s what you want, and compare the fibre per 100 g of the breads you can actually choose from.
Sourdough, seeds and a firm crust can be appealing for a special breakfast, but they don’t prove that a bread is wholemeal.
Choose these features for the flavour and presentation you’re after, and check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens separately.
Multigrain bread may contain grains that contain gluten. Seeded bread also needs to be checked for other allergens, such as sesame.
If you need gluten-free bread, look for an explicit gluten-free label and avoid contact with regular bread when serving it.
If you only use part of it, you’ll need a plan for storing the rest to stop it drying out or going stale.
Consider buying a smaller loaf or freezing the slices you won’t use straight away in portions.
Bread that isn’t eaten in time can lead to unnecessary food waste.
AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen is an example of rustic sourdough bread for a special breakfast table.
Jumbo offers a range of multigrain breads, including varieties labelled as wholemeal.
Lidl offers a 600 g organic brown sourdough multigrain loaf with seeds and kernels.
ALDI lists a multigrain stone-baked loaf and a wholemeal multigrain variety among its freshly baked bread range.
PLUS offers both Korenlanders Desem Meergranen Boekweit and Schär Glutenvrije Meesterbakker Mehrkorn.
Dirk’s range includes multigrain bread, wholemeal Multikorn and bake-at-home varieties.
These multigrain loaves and rolls are for anyone looking for a round loaf, rustic baguettes or smaller rolls to serve with a sweet breakfast. If you specifically want wholemeal or gluten-free bread, check for that feature separately on the variety you choose.
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The round shape could work well for a brunch where you want to slice the bread at the table.
The product name lists two loaves weighing 550 g each. Check the current packaging for wholemeal ingredients, allergens and any baking instructions.
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Individual baguettes can be handy when you want to serve bread to several people at the breakfast table.
The product name lists two packs of four baguettes weighing 135 g each. Check the current packaging for allergens and any baking instructions.
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This round multigrain loaf is a good fit for a breakfast where you want to slice one loaf at the table.
The product name lists a weight of 550 g. Check the label if wholemeal ingredients, allergens or baking instructions are important to your choice.
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The smaller rolls are ideal for a breakfast where everyone wants their own roll to top.
The product name lists four rolls. Check the label for wholemeal content and allergens if these are important to your choice.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means that bread is made with at least three types of grain; it may also contain refined flour. If you’re choosing between specific loaves, look for a wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g.
No, not in every loaf. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that adding iodine compounds through baker’s salt is permitted in bread, not that it’s a general requirement for every loaf. Check the ingredients of the specific product if you want to know what type of salt it contains.
No. The label ‘multigrain’ doesn’t guarantee that bread is gluten-free. Choose bread that is explicitly labelled as gluten-free, read the other allergen information too, and avoid contact with regular bread when slicing or toasting it. If you have a wheat allergy, check separately whether the product contains wheat.
Check each loaf’s packaging for grains that contain gluten and other allergens, such as sesame or soya. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, allergens that must be declared by law need to be clearly listed. Don’t rely on the bread’s name alone to tell you what it contains.
It’s best to freeze bread you won’t use soon in portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. Also follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the bread you buy.
