Budget-conscious shoppers looking for fibre
You’re looking for bread for everyday meals and don’t want to assume that multigrain means wholemeal. Compare the wholemeal labelling, ingredients and nutritional information before you choose.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Hosting lunch or brunch
For a special lunch, brunch or meal with soup, the type of loaf, crust and ease of serving all matter too. A crusty loaf or bread that you bake at home could be just right for the meal.
Shoppers who need to check allergens
You’ll want to know which allergens are listed for your chosen bread before buying it. For pre-packed bread, read the label; for unpackaged bread, ask for the product information.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether ingredients, serving a special meal or choosing a suitable size matters most to you. Then compare breads on the features that match your priorities.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for wholemeal labelling and compare fibre per 100 g. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain means that bread contains at least three types of grain; it doesn’t mean that it’s wholemeal. | If I eat the same bread regularly, I want to know what’s in it rather than judge by its dark colour; this is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Serving with a special meal | Check whether the bread is ready to serve or needs to be baked at home, and what size suits the meal. | For a brunch, I want to serve bread in a way that suits the meal without underestimating the preparation involved. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Size and leftovers | Check the weight, the number of loaves in the pack and the storage instructions. | If only a few people are eating, I want to choose a size that won’t leave too much over; this is the biggest consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain or a dark crust means wholemeal
According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain refers to the number of types of grain, not whether the bread is wholemeal. Its appearance and the seeds on the crust won’t tell you that either.
Look for wholemeal labelling and check the ingredients list and fibre per 100 g.
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Assuming loaves of different sizes are equivalent
A whole loaf and a pack of smaller loaves won’t necessarily provide the same number of portions. This matters if you’re buying for a specific number of people.
Check the weight, the number of loaves and what you can do with any leftovers.
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Checking allergens only on pre-packed bread
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for pre-packed bread appears on the label. For unpackaged bread, information about the specific product is just as important when making your choice.
Read the label or ask at the bakery counter about allergen information before buying.
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Assuming every loaf contains iodised baker’s salt
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the conditions under which iodine may be present in bread through baker’s salt. This doesn’t mean that every multigrain loaf contains this salt.
Check the ingredients list for the bread you’re considering and ask for product-specific information if needed.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
With its Vloerbrood multigrain and Liefde & Passie sourdough loaves, Albert Heijn offers different types of bread to consider for a special meal.
- Albert Heijn lists 5,2 g of fibre per 100 g for AH Vloerbrood multigrain and says this bread can be frozen on the day of purchase.
- According to Albert Heijn, the Liefde & Passie sourdough loaves are baked on a stone oven floor; check the ingredients and storage instructions for your chosen loaf.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers products including Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen and Stevig Meergranen with seeds.
- Jumbo lists 43% wholemeal wheat flour, 8,6 g of fibre and 0,96 g of salt per 100 g for Stevig Meergranen.
- These ingredients and nutritional values apply to that particular loaf; don’t assume they apply to other Jumbo breads.
PLUS
At PLUS, you can compare a whole Korenlanders crusty loaf with multigrain sourdough demi-baguettes that you bake at home.
- PLUS lists 4,7 g of fibre per 100 g for Korenlanders Donker vloer heel.
- The demi-baguettes need time in the oven, so bear this in mind if you want to serve the bread at a particular time.
ALDI
ALDI describes Luxe vloerbrood multigrain as a pre-sliced loaf with grains and seeds.
- The pre-sliced format can be handy if you want to serve the bread straight away.
- Check the label of your chosen loaf for its ingredients, nutritional information and allergens.
Dirk
Dirk’s range includes products such as multigrain bread, Multikorn wholemeal bread and multigrain crusty loaves.
- These names give you a starting point for comparing types of loaf and wholemeal labelling.
- Check the label of each individual loaf for its ingredients, weight and allergens.
Multigrain bread on Joybuy
These round country-style multigrain loaves are a good fit for a shared lunch when you want to bake the bread at home. Choose the pack size to suit the number of people eating and allow time for preparation.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round multigrain country bread 550 g
For a special lunch when you want to bake the bread at home. Allow time for defrosting and baking, and check the allergen information on the pack.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round multigrain country bread 550 g x 2
The pack of two loaves is a good fit for a shared meal when you want to bake the bread at home. Allow time for defrosting and baking, and check the allergen information on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain; that alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s wholemeal. Look for wholemeal labelling and read the ingredients list if the ingredients matter to your choice.
Does every multigrain loaf in the Netherlands contain iodised baker’s salt?
No, this isn’t guaranteed by Dutch regulations. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bread through the addition of baker’s salt, with a maximum of 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. Check the ingredients list for the individual loaf.
How can I check allergens in bread from a bakery counter?
For pre-packed bread, read the allergen information on the label. For unpackaged bread, ask for information about the specific product before buying; don’t rely solely on the name ‘multigrain’ or the seeds you can see.
Can I freeze a crusty loaf for a later meal?
It depends on the loaf. Albert Heijn says that AH Vloerbrood multigrain can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. For other crusty, sourdough or bake-at-home bread, follow its own storage instructions.