Lunch shoppers looking for wholemeal bread
If you regularly buy multigrain bread for lunch and wholemeal matters to you, check whether the bread is explicitly labelled as wholemeal. The word ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t tell you that.
Which lunch bread is right for you?
Shoppers planning a special lunch
For a more substantial lunch, you could look for a rustic loaf, sourdough or a variety with seeds. The style you want and how you plan to serve it can help you decide.
Shoppers checking ingredients or allergens
If certain ingredients matter to you, check the current packaging for the exact product. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, common allergens must be clearly declared; the bread’s name is no substitute for checking.
What should you look for in multigrain bread for lunch?
First decide whether you’re looking for explicitly wholemeal bread, a particular loaf style or portions to suit your needs. Then check the product information for the bread you’re actually buying.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for an explicit wholemeal claim and compare fibre content on the same basis: per 100 g. | If I often buy bread for lunch, I want to know that it’s genuinely wholemeal, not just multigrain. For around 39% of consumers, choosing wholemeal comes first. |
| Loaf style and appearance | Consider whether a rustic loaf, sourdough or bread with seeds suits the lunch you’re planning. | For a more substantial lunch spread, I’m looking for a loaf I’ll be happy to put on the table. This is the most important consideration for around 23% of consumers. |
| Portions and preparation | Compare a whole or half loaf with individual rolls. If you’re buying bake-at-home bread, read the preparation instructions. | When I’m buying bread for a small group, I want suitable portions and to know whether I need to set aside time to bake it. Around 23% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients list on the exact product packaging, along with allergen declarations and warnings about possible traces. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I can’t rely on the bread’s name or a previous purchase. For an estimated 15% of consumers, this check comes first. |
Common mistakes when choosing
-
Assuming multigrain means wholemeal
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ tells you how many types of grain are used; it doesn’t, by itself, mean the bread is wholemeal. So it may not be the right choice if you’re looking for wholemeal bread for lunch.
Check for a wholemeal claim and, if fibre matters to you, compare the nutritional information per 100 g.
-
Treating a rustic-sounding name as nutritional information
Words such as ‘rustic’, ‘luxury’, ‘sourdough’ and ‘dark’ don’t automatically tell you how much fibre the bread contains or which allergens are present.
Use these terms to choose the style of bread you want, but check the ingredients and nutritional information separately.
-
Trying to identify allergens from the bread’s name
Bread made with several grains or seeds may contain different allergens. Even if a variety is labelled gluten-free, its other ingredients still matter.
Check the allergen information for the exact product every time you buy it, including any warnings about possible traces.
-
Buying a whole loaf for a small lunch
If you only use some of it, you’ll also need to decide what to do with the rest.
Consider buying a half loaf or individual rolls. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing any bread you plan to use later in portions as soon as you get home.
Brands with multigrain bread options
These brands offer examples of different bread styles. Always check the information for the individual product before making your choice.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers products including AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen, an option for anyone looking for a loaf for a more substantial lunch.
- You can check the loaf style and ingredients listed for the variety you choose.
- Some products may only be available in store; check the latest product and store information.
Jumbo
Jumbo has a multigrain bread category that includes wholemeal multigrain varieties.
- An explicit wholemeal claim is helpful if that’s your main criterion.
- Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the bread currently available to buy; a variety shown previously may no longer be in stock.
PLUS
PLUS offers both multigrain bread and wholemeal multigrain baguettes to bake at home.
- The different styles make it easy to compare a loaf with individual bake-at-home portions.
- Check the allergen information for your chosen variety and, for bake-at-home bread, read the preparation instructions.
Dirk
Dirk offers products including Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half, an option if a whole loaf would be too much for lunch.
- A half loaf is a practical size to consider based on how many people you’re serving.
- A general description of fibre content is no substitute for nutritional information per 100 g if you want to compare products on that basis.
ALDI
ALDI offers a luxury-style multigrain rustic loaf and a separate wholemeal multigrain variety.
- The names help you distinguish between the rustic loaf style and an explicitly wholemeal option.
- Check the latest ingredients and availability for the loaf you choose.
Lidl
Lidl offers organic rustic multigrain sourdough with seeds, a loaf style suited to a more substantial lunch.
- The product description makes it clear that this is a sourdough variety with added seeds.
- The product shown was marked as available in store only; also check the latest ingredients and allergen information.
Multigrain bread and rolls on Joybuy
These products offer two lunch options: a round multigrain loaf and individual baguettes or rolls. For the two Lekhaven varieties, check the thawing and baking times too. Don’t assume that ‘multigrain’ means wholemeal.
Image unavailable
Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 x 135 g
The four individual baguettes are a good fit for a lunch where you want to serve separate portions. They need to be thawed and baked; follow the instructions on the packaging.
If wholemeal bread or fibre content is a deciding factor, check the claim and nutritional information for this variety. If you have allergies, read the latest ingredients and allergen information.
Image unavailable
Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g
This 550 g round loaf is a good choice if you’d rather put a whole loaf on the table than serve individual rolls. It needs to be thawed and baked first; check the packaging for the baking time.
Check the wholemeal claim and nutritional information if they affect your choice, and if you have allergies, read the information for the exact variety.
Image unavailable
g'woon Multigrain Rolls, 4 rolls
Four individual multigrain rolls are ideal if you don’t want to cut into a whole loaf for lunch. Check the packaging to see whether the rolls are ready to serve or need further preparation.
Also check the wholemeal claim, nutritional information and allergen details for this exact variety if they matter to your choice.
Frequently asked questions about multigrain bread
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread is made from at least three different types of grain, but the name doesn’t mean the bread is wholemeal. Look for an explicit wholemeal claim if that’s your main criterion.
Does all multigrain bread contain iodine from baker’s salt?
Don’t assume so. The Commodities Act Decree on Overheid.nl describes baker’s salt as iodised table salt used for bread and other baked goods; that description doesn’t tell you which salt was used in a particular loaf. Check the ingredients list for the variety you’re buying.
Which allergens should you look out for in multigrain bread?
Check the allergen information for the specific bread, even if you’ve bought the same product before. Depending on the variety, allergens could include cereals containing gluten, sesame, soya, milk, egg or nuts. Also check for warnings about possible traces.
What should I do with bread left over after lunch?
If you plan to use it later, it’s best to freeze the bread in portions as soon as you get home, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also follow the storage instructions and use-by date on your product’s packaging.