If you regularly take bread with you
You want to choose an amount that will be used up for regular lunches, without ending up with unnecessary leftovers.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you look for wholegrain bread and fibre
You want to look beyond a dark colour or visible seeds, and compare the wholegrain label, ingredients and fibre per 100 g.
If you need to check allergens
You need clear information about the ingredients and allergens in your chosen bread, whether it’s packaged or unpackaged.
What should you look for?
First, work out how much bread you’ll need for your lunches. Then check whether it’s labelled wholegrain and, if allergens are relevant to you, look for information about the specific bread.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Lunch budget | Compare like-for-like types of bread and think about how many slices you’ll actually use. | I often have lunch on campus and don’t want to spend my budget on bread that goes uneaten; around 36% of consumers put their lunch budget first. |
| Wholegrain and fibre | Look for an explicit wholegrain label and compare the fibre per 100 g. | I want to know what’s in the bread I eat every day, rather than judging it by its colour or seeds. Around 29% of consumers pay most attention to wholegrain and fibre. |
| Portion size | Choose between an individual roll, a half loaf and a whole loaf, depending on how many lunches you’re planning. | For one lunch, I’d rather not take more than I can use; portion size is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the label or ask for up-to-date allergen information if you’re buying unpackaged bread. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check the bread before taking it. For around 14% of consumers, this check comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholegrain’
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain refers to the number of types of grain used, not whether the whole grain has been used.
Look for a wholegrain label and compare the fibre per 100 g. Don’t rely solely on a dark colour or visible seeds.
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Treating an individual roll and a whole loaf as equal portions
A triangular roll, half loaf and whole loaf provide different amounts for your lunches.
First choose a size that suits the number of times you’ll be eating it, then think about what you’ll do with any leftovers.
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Not asking about allergens in unpackaged canteen bread
Multigrain bread can contain several gluten-containing grains and other allergens. According to the NVWA, suppliers of unpackaged food must provide information about 14 allergens.
Ask for allergen information about the bread being offered at the time, before you buy it.
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Assuming every loaf contains iodised salt
Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH Boeren donker meergranen heel. That ingredient information doesn’t tell you what’s in a different loaf.
Check the ingredients list for the specific product if iodised salt is relevant to your choice.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn provides product information for AH Boeren donker meergranen heel.
- The ingredients list includes wholemeal wheat flour and iodised salt; always check the label of any other loaf.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes Stevig Meergranen as a wholemeal multigrain loaf with seeds.
- The explicit wholegrain label is helpful if you don’t want to rely on the name ‘multigrain’ alone.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for the variant you choose; different Jumbo loaves don’t necessarily have the same ingredients.
Lidl
Lidl is an option if you’re looking for multigrain bread for lunch.
- Check the label of your chosen loaf for its ingredients, allergens and type of bread.
ALDI
ALDI lists Boeren volkoren meergranen as both a half and a whole loaf.
- Choosing between a half and a whole loaf lets you match the amount to your lunches.
PLUS
PLUS lists, among other options, individual multigrain triangular rolls and a separate Schär gluten-free multigrain loaf.
- An individual roll is a different type of bread from a whole loaf; check the product information for both.
- ‘Gluten-free’ doesn’t mean ‘free from all allergens’: check the other ingredients in that specific variant too.
Dirk
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers multigrain bread as a half loaf.
- A half loaf could be a good fit if you only need bread for a few lunches.
- Check the label of your chosen variant for ingredients and allergens.
Multigrain products for lunch
These rolls and loaves come in different sizes to suit a campus lunch. For bake-at-home products, remember to check the preparation instructions too: they aren’t ready for lunch until they’ve been thawed and baked.
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g'woon Multigrain Rolls, 4 rolls
Four multigrain rolls are a good option if you want to use individual rolls for separate lunches.
Check the packaging for the wholegrain label and allergens; the product information lists gluten-containing grains and sesame.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 135 g each
This size could work if you want to prepare an individual baguette for lunch.
The baguettes need to be thawed and baked. Check the total pack size and the wholegrain label on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g
This round multigrain loaf could work if you want slices for several lunches.
The loaf needs to be thawed and baked. The product information lists wheat and sesame; check the label for allergens and if you prefer wholegrain bread.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 2 × 550 g
Two round multigrain loaves could work if you use bread for several lunches and can store both loaves.
They need to be thawed and baked. Consider whether you’ll use the full amount and check the wholegrain label on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread always wholegrain?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but that doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholegrain. Look for an explicit wholegrain label and check the ingredients.
How do I choose an amount for one campus lunch?
An individual roll could be right if you need one portion; a half or whole loaf is more suitable if you’re planning several lunches. Think in advance about how you’ll store any leftover bread, and allow for the preparation time needed with bake-at-home bread.
Can I ask about allergens in unpackaged canteen bread?
Yes. According to the NVWA, suppliers of unpackaged food must provide information about 14 allergens. Ask for information about the specific bread before you buy it.
Is regular multigrain bread suitable if I need to avoid gluten?
Don’t assume so: multigrain bread can contain gluten-containing grains. Check the ingredients and only choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free if you need gluten-free bread; check the other allergens too.
Does all multigrain bread contain iodised salt?
You can’t tell from the name ‘multigrain’. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH Boeren donker meergranen heel; check the ingredients list for any other loaf if this is relevant to your choice.