Who are these options relevant to?

If you freeze bread for the week

If you buy bread for several days, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says you can freeze it in portions as soon as you get home and defrost only what you need each time.

If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread

The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal. If you want to choose wholemeal bread, check the product description and ingredients list; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between multigrain and wholemeal.

If you check ingredients and allergens

If you have a food allergy or intolerance, it’s important to check the current allergen information for the bread you choose. To compare loaves for fibre or salt, use the nutritional information per 100 g, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.

What should you look for when choosing?

First check whether a loaf really is medium-sliced and, if that’s what you’re looking for, wholemeal. Then decide which size and way of shopping best suit your weekly shop.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Keeping bread for the week Check the storage advice and whether you can freeze the bread in portions after buying it. If I buy bread for several days, I want to defrost only what I need and keep the rest for later. For around 33% of consumers, storage would be their main concern when buying.
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the wholemeal description and compare the fibre per 100 g in the specific loaves. If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, don’t assume that multigrain means the same thing. Confirmation that a loaf is wholemeal would be a priority for around 33% of consumers.
Where to shop and loaf size Check whether you can order the bread, collect it or buy it in store, and whether it’s a whole or half loaf. When doing my weekly shop, I want to be able to pick up bread along with the rest of my shopping. For around 20% of consumers, where to shop would be the main consideration.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information; compare salt per 100 g if needed. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the bread I’ve chosen before I buy it. Ingredients and allergens would be the main concern for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming multigrain means wholemeal

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ refers to different types of grain; the name alone doesn’t mean that the bread is wholemeal.

    If you want wholemeal bread, look for the wholemeal description and compare the fibre per 100 g in the loaves you’re considering.

  • Confusing a half loaf with medium-sliced bread

    ‘Whole’ and ‘half’ describe the size of a loaf, not the thickness of its slices. So a product name that includes ‘half’ doesn’t confirm that the bread is medium-sliced.

    Check the slice thickness on the current packaging, shelf label or product page.

  • Keeping the whole week’s bread supply open at once

    Bread left uneaten for several days can dry out or go mouldy before you get round to eating it.

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you get home and defrosting only what you need each time.

  • Relying on the bread’s name to check for allergens

    Ingredients vary from loaf to loaf. A name such as ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you which grains, seeds or other allergens the specific product contains.

    Before buying, read the current ingredients and allergen information for the bread you’ve chosen.

Brands and shops to compare

You can browse multigrain bread at these shops, but check whether each loaf really is medium-sliced.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists the sliced AH Liefde & Passie Multigrain loaf.

  • Albert Heijn’s product information gives this version’s weight as 550 g and describes its ingredients and nutritional information.
  • ‘Sliced’ doesn’t automatically mean medium-sliced; check the slice thickness on the current packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists a range of multigrain bread, including whole and half loaves.

  • Jumbo provides product information so you can check the ingredients and nutritional values of the version you choose.
  • A half loaf tells you nothing about slice thickness; check the current product description at Jumbo too.

Lidl

Lidl describes a multigrain loaf with grains and seeds as an in-store product.

  • Lidl’s product page says this bread is available in store only.
  • Check the label in store for slice thickness and other product details.

ALDI

ALDI lists a sliced, half wholemeal multigrain loaf.

  • The product description makes clear that it’s wholemeal and comes as a half loaf.
  • The word ‘sliced’ doesn’t confirm that the slices are medium thickness.

PLUS

PLUS has an online multigrain bread category, with delivery and collection options.

  • You can compare your chosen loaf with the rest of your online shop.
  • Before ordering, check each product’s size, wholemeal description and slice thickness.

Dirk

Dirk’s search results include both half and whole multigrain loaves.

  • The ‘half’ and ‘whole’ descriptions help you choose the right loaf size.
  • These descriptions don’t confirm that the slices are medium thickness; check the loaf’s label for that information.

Multigrain bread at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ refers to different types of grain; it doesn’t automatically mean the bread is made with wholegrain flour. Look for the wholemeal description on the loaf you choose and check the ingredients list.

How should I store bread I buy for the whole week?

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing it in portions as soon as you get home and defrosting only what you need each time. Also check the storage advice on the packaging of the loaf you choose.

Which allergens should I check in multigrain bread?

Check the current allergen information for the specific loaf, including the listed gluten-containing grains and any other allergens. The bread’s name alone isn’t enough; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that allergens are listed on the label.

How can I compare the fibre and salt in two loaves?

Compare the values per 100 g in the nutritional information for both loaves, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. This means you’re comparing the two products using the same quantity.

Does all Dutch multigrain bread contain iodised baker’s salt?

You can’t tell from the type of bread alone. Dutch Official Gazette 2008, 257 describes baker’s salt as iodised table salt used in bread and other bakery products. Check the current ingredients list to see which type of salt is listed for the loaf you choose.