For everyday sandwiches, a whole or half loaf of multigrain bread is a practical choice if the size suits how much your household eats. Compare the price per kilo only between similar loaves. If you want to serve small portions at a Christmas brunch just before eating, bake-at-home rolls may be a good option, but they need some preparation. Whatever you choose, check the ingredients and allergen information: multigrain does not automatically mean wholemeal.
You’re looking for bread for several breakfasts and lunches. Choosing a whole or half loaf based on how much you eat, or freezing a suitable loaf, can help reduce leftovers. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread as a product that is often wasted.
You want to bake rolls for a Christmas breakfast or brunch shortly before serving. As well as checking how many rolls are in the pack, consider the preparation they need and how much of the pack you’ll use.
You want to know whether the bread contains wholemeal flour, and which allergens and type of salt are listed. You’ll need to check the specific product rather than relying on the name ‘multigrain bread’ alone.
First, work out how much bread you’ll need for everyday meals and your Christmas gathering. Then compare the size, ingredients and preparation requirements of the type of bread that suits your plans.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Size and food waste | Compare similar types of bread by weight and price per kilo. If you’re buying a larger loaf, check the freezing instructions. | If I need bread to last for several breakfasts and lunches, I don’t want to buy more than we’ll eat. Around 38% of consumers put keeping costs and waste down first. |
| Wholemeal ingredients | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and read the ingredients list. If you like, compare the fibre per 100 g. | For everyday sandwiches, I want to be able to see which flour the bread contains, rather than relying on the name ‘multigrain’. This is a priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Brunch portions | Check how many rolls are in the pack, their use-by date and the preparation instructions. | For Christmas brunch, I want to serve small portions shortly before eating and have enough time to bake them. This serving flexibility is the main consideration for around 23% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the allergen information for the product you’ve chosen. If you’re interested in the type of salt, check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed. | If I need to avoid an allergen or pay attention to the type of salt used, the information must apply to that specific bread. For around 8% of consumers, checking the label is the first consideration. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain. The name alone doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour has been used. The Centre also says that baker’s salt is not compulsory.
A dark colour, kernels or seeds don’t tell you how much wholemeal flour is used in the base. The Consumers’ Association warns that the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t provide a definitive answer.
If wholemeal ingredients matter to your choice, check the bread’s description and ingredients list.
A half loaf, a whole loaf and a pack of rolls don’t contain the same amount. A larger loaf also isn’t good value if some of it goes unused.
Compare similar loaves by weight and price per kilo, and choose a size that suits your planned mealtimes.
Part-baked rolls need to go in the oven, while a regular loaf is ready to serve.
Read the preparation instructions and make sure you have time and oven space before brunch.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the use of baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. The type of bread or the shop’s name for it won’t tell you which type of salt is used in a specific product.
Check the label for baker’s salt or iodised salt. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask for the ingredients information.
Albert Heijn sells standard and speciality multigrain loaves.
Jumbo sells a range that includes whole and half multigrain loaves, as well as part-baked multigrain rolls.
Lidl has a fresh-from-the-oven bread range.
ALDI lists freshly baked Boeren volkoren meergranen in whole and half sizes.
PLUS sells Korenlanders multigrain loaves, among other options, as well as a separate gluten-free multigrain product from Schär.
Dirk lists various multigrain breads, including half and whole loaves and bake-at-home options.
These Joybuy products are multigrain loaves and rolls for planned mealtimes, including options to bake at home. Choose a pack size you can use, and check the preparation instructions and label for the product you’ve selected before buying.
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Four individual baguettes are a good fit for a planned meal with small portions. According to the product description, you can freeze them before baking; thawing and baking them takes some preparation.
Check the baking instructions on the pack. If you have allergies, read the latest ingredients and allergen information.
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This 550 g round loaf is a good fit for a meal where you can use a whole loaf. The product description says to freeze it before baking. Remember to allow time for thawing and baking, too.
Follow the baking instructions on the pack and check the label if you have allergies.
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The twin pack may suit a brunch with more guests or several planned mealtimes. According to the product description, the baguettes can be frozen before baking. Allow time for thawing and baking.
Check the preparation instructions and, if you have allergies, the latest information on the pack.
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The pack of two 550 g round loaves is a good fit if you need bread for several mealtimes. The product description says to freeze them before baking. Remember to plan time for thawing and baking before serving.
Check the baking instructions on the pack and read the label if you have allergies.
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Four individual multigrain rolls make it easy to match the number of portions to a smaller meal. The ingredients information provided lists several types of grain and iodised salt.
If you have a sesame allergy, check the latest pack carefully: the product information gives conflicting indications. Don’t assume these rolls need baking without checking the preparation instructions.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means bread made with at least three types of grain. It doesn’t indicate a set proportion of wholemeal flour. If wholemeal ingredients matter to your choice, check the bread description and ingredients list.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt. Check the label on the bread you’re buying to see what type of salt it contains, or ask for the ingredients information if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
Choose a whole loaf, half loaf or rolls to suit the number of people eating and your next meals. If you want to keep bread for later, follow the freezing instructions for the product you’ve chosen. The product information for both AH Boeren donker meergranen heel and PLUS Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel says to freeze them on the day of purchase.
Don’t assume that regular multigrain bread is gluten-free. Choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free, and check the latest packaging for any other allergens that are relevant to you.
Compare the price per kilo of similar types of bread, and consider how much you’ll actually eat. A half loaf, whole loaf and bake-at-home rolls contain different amounts. Also check the terms and conditions of any offer.
