Budget-conscious shopper buying bread for everyday sandwiches
You’re looking for bread for breakfast or lunch and don’t want to treat a half loaf, a whole loaf and a pack of rolls as if they contain the same amount.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Christmas market visitor preparing at home
You want to take bread with you or serve it just before you leave, so you’re considering its size, storage instructions and any baking time required.
Label-conscious shopper
You want to check whether a loaf is wholemeal and see which ingredients, allergens and type of salt are listed on the label.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide how much bread you use and when you want to serve it. Then compare the weight and read the label for the specific product.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Loaf size | Check whether it’s a half loaf, whole loaf or rolls, and compare the stated weight. | I want to choose a size I can finish for my everyday sandwiches. Around 46% of consumers prioritise finding an amount that suits them. |
| Preparation | Read the storage and preparation instructions. For bake-at-home bread, check what equipment you’ll need and how long it takes. | Just before heading to the Christmas market, I want to serve the bread at a planned time without forgetting to prepare it. For around 36% of consumers, planning is the main priority. |
| Product label | Check the wholemeal claim, ingredients and allergens; if you wish, also look for baker’s salt or iodised salt. | I want to know which grains and allergens the bread contains before choosing a variety. Checking the label is the top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Treating a half loaf and a whole loaf as the same amount
Rolls can also contain different amounts from one pack to another. The product format alone doesn’t tell you how much bread you’ll take home.
Check the weight and choose a size that suits the number of people eating and when you plan to use the bread.
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Assuming all multigrain bread contains baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bread is made with baker’s salt. The term ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you whether it is.
Check the ingredients for baker’s salt or iodised salt. If you need this information for unpackaged bread, ask about its ingredients.
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Guessing which allergens are present from the product name
Ingredients vary between multigrain breads. For specific products, Jumbo and PLUS list ingredients including wheat, barley, sesame and soya.
If you have an allergy or need to choose gluten-free bread, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging rather than relying on the name on the shelf.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers several multigrain breads, including sliced and whole loaves.
- You can compare different bread formats within the range.
- Check which variety is available at your store or for your order.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers half multigrain loaves, as well as varieties explicitly labelled wholemeal.
- The range offers different loaf sizes to compare.
- Check the allergens for each product; Jumbo lists barley, sesame, soya and wheat among the ingredients in its Stevig Meergranen loaf.
Lidl
Lidl describes a multigrain bread containing ingredients including wheat, barley and buckwheat.
- The product description names the grains used.
- This bread is sold in store; check the label in your local branch for full product information.
ALDI
ALDI offers a sliced, half-size Boeren wholemeal multigrain loaf, among other options.
- The product name makes both the half size and the wholemeal claim clear.
- Check the range at the branch where you shop.
PLUS
PLUS offers both everyday bread and wholemeal multigrain baguettes to bake at home.
- Specific products list their weight, ingredients and preparation instructions.
- Bake-at-home baguettes need preparation, so follow the instructions on the packaging for the variety you choose.
Dirk
Dirk offers fresh half and whole multigrain loaves, as well as bake-at-home varieties.
- You can choose between a smaller and a larger fresh loaf.
- Check the weight of the variety you choose when comparing sizes.
Multigrain bread and rolls on Joybuy
This selection includes round multigrain loaves, bake-at-home baguettes and smaller rolls. Choose a size for everyday use or a planned occasion, and check the packaging for preparation instructions and allergen information.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 2 × 550 g
A round multigrain loaf for anyone planning ahead for a particular occasion. The title lists two 550 g loaves; check the pack contents, as the preparation information describes one loaf.
Follow the packaging instructions for baking and check the label for allergens and any wholemeal claim.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g
A 550 g round multigrain loaf for anyone who wants to serve a whole loaf for a planned occasion.
Check the baking instructions on the packaging and read the label if the wholemeal claim, type of salt or allergens are important to your choice.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g × 2
Multigrain baguettes for a planned occasion, if you have time to defrost and bake them at home. The title lists 4 × 135 g × 2, but check how many baguettes are in the pack.
Follow the preparation instructions on the packaging and check the latest allergen information.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g
Four multigrain baguettes, weighing 135 g each, for anyone who wants to bake smaller portions for a planned occasion.
Allow time to defrost them and follow the baking instructions on the packaging. Check the allergen information too.
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g'woon Multigrain Rolls, 4 stuks
Four multigrain rolls for anyone who prefers individual portions to a whole loaf.
Before serving them for a planned occasion, check the weight, preparation instructions and allergens on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare a half and a whole multigrain loaf?
Check the weight and choose a size that suits how much bread you use. A half loaf, a whole loaf and a pack of rolls don’t necessarily contain the same amount.
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. Don’t rely on the word ‘multigrain’ alone. Look for an explicit wholemeal claim and read the ingredients list for the loaf you choose.
Does Dutch bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bread is made with baker’s salt. Check the label to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt has been used.
Can I rely on the word ‘multigrain’ when choosing gluten-free bread?
No. ‘Multigrain’ doesn’t mean gluten-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking for the word ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging. Also check the latest allergen information.
When should I prepare bake-at-home rolls for a visit to the Christmas market?
Prepare them at a time that fits in with when you’re leaving, and follow the instructions on the packaging for the rolls you choose. PLUS says its wholemeal multigrain baguettes take 8–10 minutes in an oven at 220 °C or 5–6 minutes in an air fryer at 200 °C; these instructions apply to that specific product.