If you want multigrain bread that’s ready to top straight away, and you’re looking for a wholemeal option, look for the explicit ‘wholemeal’ label and check whether the bread is sliced. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ on its own doesn’t mean that a loaf is wholemeal. If you’re choosing mainly on taste or shape, compare the ingredients and bear in mind that bake-at-home bread needs preparation.
You want a quick breakfast and wholemeal bread is important to you. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that multigrain bread can also be made with refined flour, so check the product description rather than relying on the name.
You pay attention to taste, crust and seeds, but don’t want to rule out a wholemeal option from the outset. In 2024, the Dutch Bakery Centre reported no significant difference in overall taste ratings for wholemeal and brown bread in a blind taste test. Which bread you prefer is still a matter of personal choice.
You want bread you can top straight away and take with you. Check whether it’s sliced and whether any bake-at-home option needs to go in the oven first.
First decide whether wholemeal bread is a must for you. Then consider which type of bread suits the time you have and your taste preferences.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare fibre content on the same basis, for example per 100 g. | I want to know whether the whole grain has been used, not just whether the bread contains several grains. For around 46% of consumers, being sure it’s wholemeal would be the top priority. |
| Ready to eat | Check whether the bread is sliced or still needs baking. | If I want to top my bread and head out straight away, bread that needs preparing doesn’t suit my morning. Being ready to eat would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Taste and texture | Compare the type of bread, crust and the grains or seeds listed; don’t choose on colour alone. | I’m looking for bread with an appealing crust and texture, even if that means choosing a different option. Taste would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread can be made with refined flour. So the name alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s wholemeal.
If wholemeal is important to you, look for an explicit wholemeal label and check the current packaging.
The colour and seeds don’t show whether the bread is made with refined flour, flour or wholemeal flour.
Compare the product description and ingredients. If you want to compare nutritional values, use the same basis, such as per 100 g.
Bake-at-home bread isn’t as convenient for breakfast as bread you can top straight away.
Check the preparation instructions before choosing bake-at-home bread for a busy morning.
Albert Heijn and PLUS state that product information, including ingredients and allergens, can change.
Check the packaging again when you buy, especially if ingredients or allergens affect your choice.
Albert Heijn’s range of multigrain and corn bread includes multigrain artisan-style loaves, as well as other types of bread.
Jumbo lists products including Wholemeal Dark Multigrain Bread and Soma Oatmeal Wholemeal Multigrain Bread 400 g.
Lidl describes a multigrain bread containing ingredients including wheat, barley and buckwheat.
ALDI lists Luxury Multigrain Artisan Loaf and Farmhouse Wholemeal Multigrain as separate products.
PLUS lists products including Korenlanders Sourdough Multigrain Buckwheat and Soma Oatmeal multigrain bread.
Dirk’s range includes products such as Bakker van der Akker Bakkers Multikorn wholemeal bread and whole artisan-style multigrain loaf.
These rolls and loaves come in different styles for breakfast. Check whether the rolls are ready to eat; the other two products need preparing. If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread, don’t choose them just because ‘multigrain’ appears in the name.
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Individual rolls are handy if you don’t want to take a whole loaf with you. Check the packaging to see whether they’re ready to eat.
If wholemeal is a must for you, look for a wholemeal label on the packaging.
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These baguettes are suited to a breakfast you can plan ahead for, with time to defrost and bake them. They’re not ideal if you want to top your bread and head out straight away.
Follow the preparation instructions on the current packaging and check for a wholemeal label if that’s important to you.
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This round loaf is a good fit if you can plan breakfast in advance: allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling before slicing.
Check the baking instructions and wholemeal labelling on the current packaging.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread can be made with refined flour. If wholemeal is important to you, look for an explicit ‘wholemeal’ label.
No, not if it still needs to go in the oven. Check the preparation instructions; bread you can top straight away is a better fit for a morning when you need to head out immediately.
No, you don’t need to make that decision in advance. In 2024, the Dutch Bakery Centre reported no significant difference in overall taste ratings for wholemeal and brown bread in a blind taste test. Crust, seeds and texture can still vary from one loaf to another.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging for the bread you choose. Albert Heijn and PLUS warn that this information can change on product pages; the product name alone doesn’t confirm whether it’s suitable for your diet.
