Which option works best for you?

Travellers making sandwiches in advance

If you want to prepare sandwiches for the journey without a bread knife, choose a loaf labelled as sliced. Also check that the slices will fit in your lunch box.

Travellers keeping an eye on fibre

Don’t just look for ‘multigrain’ – check whether the bread is wholemeal. Then compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information for the products you’re considering.

Small travel groups

If you only need a few sandwiches, half a loaf may suit your plans better. You could also freeze a whole loaf in portions and take only what you need for the journey.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide how many sandwiches you need and whether you want to fill them before setting off. Then check whether the bread is wholemeal and look at the slices. If you’re using perishable fillings, consider how you’ll keep them chilled.

What to consider What to check when buying Who should consider this?
Wholemeal status and fibre Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. ‘Multigrain’ on its own doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal. If fibre is my main priority when choosing a snack, I want to know what’s in the bread rather than relying on its name. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this.
Sliced bread Check whether the bread is sliced, and consider the slice thickness if it matters for your lunch box or fillings. If you want to make sandwiches quickly before setting off without slicing the bread yourself, convenience comes first. This is the case for around 25% of consumers.
Quantity and storage Consider half a loaf if you don’t need much, or freeze a whole loaf in portions after buying it. I don’t want to be left with lots of bread after a short journey. Getting the quantity right is the main concern for around 25% of consumers.
Keeping fillings chilled For perishable fillings, take a cool bag with ice packs and keep the fillings chilled. If my fillings need to stay chilled during the journey, that affects what I can prepare and take with me. Around 17% of consumers prioritise this.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming multigrain means wholemeal

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ refers to bread made with at least three types of grain. It doesn’t mean the bread is wholemeal.

    Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and compare the nutritional information per 100 g if fibre is important to your choice.

  • Taking a whole loaf for just a few sandwiches

    If you only eat a small amount during the journey, you may be left with bread that can dry out or go stale.

    Choose half a loaf, or freeze a whole loaf in portions as soon as you buy it, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.

  • Only thinking about the bread when making filled sandwiches

    Perishable fillings need to be kept chilled during the journey, even if the bread itself is still fine to eat.

    Use a cool bag with ice packs. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises throwing away perishable food if it has been out of the fridge for more than two hours.

  • Relying on a product page you viewed earlier

    Ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. This is especially important if you’re looking for a specific recipe or need to avoid an allergen.

    Read the current packaging before buying, and check that the bread is actually sliced.

Brands and retailers to consider

These examples show the types of bread you can compare. Features of one named loaf don’t necessarily apply to a retailer’s entire range.

Albert Heijn

An option to explore if you’re looking for sliced multigrain bread to make sandwiches at home before your journey.

  • Albert Heijn describes AH OerDesem donker meergranen heel gesneden as wholemeal multigrain sourdough bread, and provides ingredients, nutritional information and allergen details for this product.
  • Check the current packaging to make sure the slice thickness, ingredients and allergen information suit your needs.

Jumbo

Worth considering if half a loaf of multigrain bread is a better fit for the number of sandwiches you plan to make.

  • Jumbo describes Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen Half as half a loaf of wholemeal multigrain bread with seeds.
  • The ‘half’ and ‘wholemeal’ descriptions apply to this product and don’t necessarily apply to other Jumbo multigrain breads.

Lidl

A supermarket option to explore if you’re looking for multigrain bread with grains and seeds.

  • Lidl describes a specific multigrain bread containing ingredients including wheat, barley and buckwheat.
  • Check the packaging for the wholemeal status, slice thickness, ingredients and allergens of the loaf you buy.

Aldi

An option for comparing a pre-sliced luxury multigrain farmhouse loaf with a separate wholemeal multigrain loaf.

  • Aldi describes its luxe vloerbrood meergranen as pre-sliced and also lists a boeren volkoren meergranenbrood.
  • These are different products, so check both the wholemeal status and the slices on each loaf’s packaging.

Plus

Worth considering if you’re looking for multigrain bread while planning your shopping before setting off.

  • Plus lists several multigrain products in its range overview.
  • Open the page for the specific loaf and check the packaging: the overview doesn’t confirm whether every product is sliced or wholemeal.

Dirk

An option for comparing half a multigrain loaf with a whole multigrain farmhouse loaf.

  • Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half and a separate whole meergranen-vloerbrood.
  • The type of loaf and its quantity don’t confirm whether it’s wholemeal; check the packaging of the product you choose.

Multigrain bread at Joybuy

This round multigrain loaf could suit you if you want to prepare it at home before setting off and slice it yourself. If you’re looking for ready-to-use, medium-thick slices or a confirmed wholemeal option, check these details before choosing.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g

For anyone who wants to prepare a round multigrain loaf at home before the journey. According to the product description, it needs to thaw and then be baked before serving. Leave it to cool afterwards and slice it yourself. Check the current packaging if the wholemeal status, slice thickness or allergens matter to your choice.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread always wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but that doesn’t mean it’s wholemeal. Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and, if needed, compare the fibre per 100 g.

How should I store bread if I’m only taking a few sandwiches?

Ideally, freeze the bread in portions as soon as you buy it, and take only what you need out of the freezer, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Half a loaf may also be a better fit if you’re packing for a small group.

Can I take perishable fillings in the car without a cool bag?

Keep perishable fillings chilled during the journey, for example in a cool bag with ice packs. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises throwing away perishable food once it has been out of the fridge for more than two hours.

How can I tell if sliced bread has the right slice thickness?

Check the slices on the packaging or in store. A product described as ‘sliced’ won’t necessarily have the medium-thick slices you may be looking for.