Who might find these options useful?

Student on a tight grocery budget

Looking for bread for simple meals and wants to choose a half or whole loaf that will actually get eaten.

Student who prioritises wholemeal bread

Wants to eat multigrain bread regularly, but looks beyond the name to check whether the chosen variety is wholemeal.

Small household looking for sliced bread

Wants slices for sandwiches or toasties and can freeze the bread in portions if a whole loaf won’t be eaten quickly.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide which loaf size suits how much bread you eat. Then check whether each variety is labelled wholemeal and how it’s sliced: ‘sliced’ doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important to?
Loaf size Compare half and whole loaves of the same type and choose a quantity you can use. When my grocery budget is tight, I don’t want to buy a larger loaf than I need for my meals. This is the main consideration for around 31% of consumers.
Wholemeal bread and ingredients Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the exact variety and read the ingredients list; ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t confirm this. When I eat bread often, I want to know whether this particular multigrain variety is wholemeal. This matters most to around 31% of consumers.
Storing portions Consider a half loaf or freeze a whole loaf in portions; follow the storage instructions on the packaging. In a small household, I want to avoid leaving the last few slices uneaten. That’s why around 23% of consumers prioritise a loaf size and storage routine that suit how much bread they eat.
Slices and where to buy Check whether the bread is pre-sliced, how thick the slices are and where you can buy the variety you’ve chosen. For a quick bread-based meal, I want to be able to buy slices that are ready to use. This convenience is the top priority for around 15% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming multigrain means wholemeal

    According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread can be made with refined flour. So the name doesn’t confirm that the whole grain has been used.

    Look for ‘wholemeal’ on the variety you’ve chosen and read the ingredients list rather than judging by its colour or visible seeds.

  • Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt

    The Voedingscentrum says that using baker’s salt is not compulsory when baking bread. You can’t tell whether it’s been used from the name ‘multigrain bread’.

    Check the label or ask the baker which salt was used in the bread.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan

    If you only eat a few slices a day, you may have some of a whole loaf left over. For opened wholemeal bread, the Voedingscentrum’s storage guide recommends 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard.

    Choose a half loaf if that suits how much you eat, or freeze a whole loaf in portions after buying it.

  • Assuming ‘sliced’ means ‘medium-sliced’

    A label saying that bread is sliced doesn’t necessarily tell you how thick the slices are. This can matter if you want to use them straight away for toasties or sandwiches.

    Check the packaging and, if necessary, ask in store how the specific variety has been sliced.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

The multigrain range includes products such as AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen gesneden, as well as half and whole loaves.

  • Some varieties are specifically labelled as sliced.
  • Check the slice thickness and whether your chosen variety is wholemeal.

Jumbo

The multigrain category includes Jumbo Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen Half.

  • A half loaf may be a good choice if you won’t get through a whole loaf.
  • The ‘wholemeal’ label applies to this particular variety; check how it’s sliced separately.

Lidl

Lidl lists a multigrain bread in its range.

  • The product listing gives you a specific variety to look for in store.
  • Lidl says this variety is ‘in store only’; check how it’s sliced there too.

ALDI

The fresh daily range includes multigrain bread, including a half wholemeal loaf listed separately.

  • ALDI also lists a pre-sliced luxury multigrain farmhouse loaf.
  • Pre-sliced doesn’t automatically mean medium-sliced, and not every multigrain variety is wholemeal.

PLUS

The multigrain category includes products such as PLUS Korenlanders Desem Meergranen Boekweit and Brood van Soma Haverkorn meergranenbrood.

  • The category lists ordering and collection as options.
  • Check whether your chosen variety is sliced and what kind of slices it comes with.

Dirk

Multigrain search results include products such as Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half and half-loaf Multikorn varieties.

  • A half loaf is worth considering if you don’t eat much bread at a time.
  • Check the ingredients, wholemeal labelling and slicing for the specific variety.

Bread to bake at home

This round multigrain loaf needs to be defrosted and baked at home, then sliced by hand. It suits a different routine from ready-to-use, pre-sliced bread for a quick student meal.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g

An option for a bread-based meal if you can bake it at home and want to slice it yourself.

Round multigrain bread, 550 g. Leave it to cool after baking before slicing; don’t expect it to come pre-sliced or medium-sliced.

If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread or bread made with baker’s salt, check the label for this variety.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread can be made with refined flour. Check whether ‘wholemeal’ appears on the specific variety and read the ingredients list.

Does all multigrain bread contain baker’s salt?

No. The Voedingscentrum says that bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt. Check the label or ask the baker if this is important to your choice.

What can I do if I won’t get through a whole loaf quickly?

Choose a half loaf or freeze a whole loaf in portions after buying it. Follow the product’s storage instructions; the Voedingscentrum’s storage guide recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days.

Does ‘sliced’ mean multigrain bread is medium-sliced?

No. ‘Sliced’ doesn’t confirm how thick the slices are. Check the packaging or ask how it’s sliced before choosing a loaf for toasties or sandwiches.