Small households on a set shopping budget
If you buy bread for one or two people, the main thing is whether you’ll finish it before its quality starts to decline. A half loaf or a whole loaf frozen in portions could suit your needs.
Who are these choices relevant to?
Shoppers looking for both multigrain and wholemeal
A dark colour, seeds or the word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean that bread is wholemeal. Check the product description and ingredients for the specific loaf you’re considering.
Shoppers choosing between supermarkets
Loaf sizes and ranges vary from shop to shop. This is particularly worth checking with fresh bread, as you’ll want to know which variety is available at your chosen branch.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with how much you use and the loaf size. Then decide whether wholemeal is a must-have and how you’ll store any bread left over.
| What to consider | Check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing the right loaf size | Choose a half or whole loaf to suit how much you use, and check the stated weight too. | If I only use a few slices, I don’t want to be left with a lot of bread. Around 50% of consumers prioritise a suitable loaf size. |
| Wholemeal and labelling | Look for ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging and compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g for the exact loaf. | If you specifically want wholemeal, the word ‘multigrain’ alone isn’t enough. Clear labelling is a priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Storing bread to avoid waste | Think about how much bread you’ll eat over the next few days and whether you can freeze the rest in portions. | If I don’t always eat the same amount of bread, I want to avoid leaving a whole loaf uneaten. Reducing waste is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain means wholemeal
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain. This doesn’t mean that all the flour used is wholemeal.
If you want wholemeal bread, look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description and check the ingredients for that specific variety.
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Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan
Bread you don’t finish can dry out or go mouldy. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread among the foods that are often wasted.
If you don’t expect to eat it within a few days, freeze the bread in portions on the day you buy it.
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Assuming the online range is the same everywhere
Lidl says that its fresh bread range can vary from branch to branch. So a variety shown online may not be available in every shop.
Check which loaf sizes and varieties are available at the branch where you shop.
Brands and shops to explore
ALDI
ALDI lists Boeren volkoren meergranen in half and whole loaf sizes as part of its fresh daily bread range.
- Having two loaf sizes gives smaller and larger households a choice.
- Check which variety is available at your local branch.
Dirk
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers multigrain bread in half and whole loaf sizes.
- You can choose between two sizes in this bread range.
- Check the weight on the packaging if you want to compare the loaves properly.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists several multigrain breads, including farmhouse loaves and other own-brand varieties.
- The product information for AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel includes details such as the ingredients.
- The product description calls this loaf brown multigrain bread, so don’t assume that every multigrain variety is wholemeal.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists products including Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen half and Stevig Meergranen heel.
- The varieties shown differ in loaf size and product description.
- Check that ‘wholemeal’ is included in the description of the variety you choose.
PLUS
PLUS lists Korenlanders multigrain breads, with product information for each variety.
- PLUS Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel is described as wholemeal multigrain bread; its nutritional information lists 6,8 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Use the ingredients and nutritional information for the exact variety, not those for another Korenlanders loaf.
Lidl
Lidl describes a range of freshly baked bread that also includes multigrain bread.
- Multigrain is one of the types of bread in the range described.
- Lidl says that its fresh bread range can vary from branch to branch.
Multigrain bread and bake-at-home products on Joybuy
These products are round multigrain loaves and multigrain baguettes for you to bake at home. Choose the shape and pack size that suit how much you use; if you want wholemeal, check the product description on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g
A round loaf for anyone who wants to bake one loaf at a time. The product name states 550 g; check the packaging if wholemeal is a must-have for you.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g x 2
For anyone who wants to bake two round loaves and finds the pack size suits their needs. The product name lists two loaves of 550 g; check the product description if you’re looking for wholemeal bread.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette 4 x 135 g x 2
A baguette-shaped option for anyone who would rather bake individual loaves than one round loaf. Check the number of pieces on the packaging: the stated 4 x 135 g x 2 doesn’t make the total quantity clear.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but ‘multigrain’ on its own doesn’t mean the bread is wholemeal. If this matters to you, look for ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging.
What should I do if I won’t finish a whole loaf quickly?
Freeze the bread in portions on the day you buy it, or choose a half loaf that better suits how much you use. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that opened wholemeal bread keeps for two to four days in a kitchen cupboard and for one to three months in the freezer.
Where can I check the allergens in multigrain bread?
Check the allergen information for the exact loaf, as ingredients vary from product to product. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, common allergens must be clearly stated on the label.
Does every Lidl branch stock the same multigrain bread?
Not necessarily. Lidl says that its fresh bread range can vary from branch to branch. Check the varieties available at the branch where you shop.