Choose a whole or half loaf of multigrain bread if you can match the quantity to your guests and use any leftovers later. Part-baked baguettes are another option for warm bread at the table, provided baking them fits into your dinner plans. If you prefer wholemeal bread or need to cater for allergies, always check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific loaf.
You want enough bread for Christmas dinner, but don’t want to be left with a large loaf you haven’t used. A half loaf may suit a smaller gathering; you can freeze any portions left over from a whole loaf, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
You’d like to serve warm multigrain baguettes or French sticks just before dinner and can make room in the oven. Check the cooking instructions in advance and plan when to bake them alongside the other dishes.
You want to know whether a loaf is genuinely wholemeal, or need to choose a suitable alternative for a guest. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the term multigrain does not mean that bread is wholemeal; if someone has an allergy, the label on the exact product is what matters.
First decide how much bread you want to serve and whether you want it warm. Then check the ingredients and allergen information that matter to your guests.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Check the number of items and the weight per pack. Choose a whole loaf, half a loaf or smaller rolls according to what you want to serve and store. | If I have bread left after dinner, I want to be able to store it rather than throw it away. For around 33% of consumers, getting the quantity right comes first. |
| Serving warm | For part-baked bread, check the cooking instructions and whether you’ll have oven space during dinner. | Warm bread at the table suits my menu, as long as baking it fits in alongside the other dishes. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this way of serving bread. |
| Wholemeal and ingredients | If you’re looking specifically for wholemeal bread, check the product name and ingredients list; seeds on the crust are not proof that it’s wholemeal. | I want to serve wholemeal bread and not rely on the word multigrain alone. This is the most important consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Ask guests about their dietary restrictions and check the allergen information on the exact product, including any warnings about traces. | I want to choose suitable bread for a guest with a food allergy and serve it separately. For around 17% of consumers, this check is the top priority. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain refers to bread made with at least three types of grain. That alone does not mean it is wholemeal.
Look specifically for the term wholemeal and check the ingredients list if that distinction matters to your choice.
A half loaf, a whole loaf and a pack of baguettes won’t necessarily contain the same amount of bread. They also differ in whether they’re ready to serve or need baking first.
Compare the weight and number of items, and check the cooking instructions for part-baked products.
Baking takes time and requires oven space while you’re preparing dinner.
A gluten-free label says nothing about whether other allergens are present. For example, the product information for Schär Meesterbakker Mehrkorn lists soya and warnings about other allergens.
Check the current label for every guest with dietary restrictions, and use separate serving utensils to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
A whole loaf can be handy for a larger gathering, but you’ll need a plan for anything left after dinner.
Choose a pack size that suits your needs. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions after purchase if you won’t need it straight away.
Albert Heijn sells multigrain bread in several varieties, including sliced loaves.
Jumbo offers multigrain bread in whole and half-loaf sizes.
As well as multigrain bread, PLUS sells wholemeal multigrain baguettes for baking at home.
Dirk offers multigrain bread in whole and half loaves, as well as floor-baked varieties.
ALDI lists multigrain French sticks and part-baked multigrain baguettes.
Schär Meesterbakker Mehrkorn is a gluten-free multigrain bread listed by PLUS.
This selection includes multigrain baguettes and round multigrain loaves in various pack sizes. Match the quantity to your dinner and check the cooking instructions and current label for each product.
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A pack of two baguettes for serving individual loaves at the table.
The product name gives the pack weight as 300 g. Check the cooking instructions and allergen information on the label.
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Four individual baguettes may suit you if you want to serve bread to each guest or place several portions around the table.
The product name lists four pieces weighing 135 g each. Check the pack’s cooking instructions before dinner.
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This pack contains more individual baguettes, making it suitable for a gathering where you want to serve several.
The product name lists two packs, each containing four 135 g baguettes. Work out how many you want to bake and follow the instructions on the packaging.
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Two round loaves are a good fit for dinner if you want to slice some bread and save the rest for later.
The product name lists two loaves weighing 550 g each. Check the cooking instructions and the label; the term multigrain does not confirm that the bread is wholemeal.
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A single round loaf may suit you if you’d rather slice one loaf than serve several baguettes.
The product name gives the weight as 550 g. Check the cooking instructions and, if you prefer wholemeal bread or need to cater for an allergy, read the current label.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain means that at least three types of grain have been used; it doesn’t automatically mean that the flour is wholemeal. Check for the term wholemeal and read the ingredients list if you specifically want wholemeal bread.
A whole or half loaf works well if you want to match the quantity to your gathering and can store any leftovers. Choose part-baked baguettes if you want to serve warm bread and can fit baking them in alongside the other dishes; follow the instructions on the packaging.
Freeze any bread you won’t use soon in portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread after purchase and taking out only what you need each time; also follow the storage advice on the packaging.
Read the ingredients list for the specific bread and look for terms such as iodised salt or baker’s salt. Don’t rely on the word multigrain alone to tell you what type of salt has been used.
Choose a product that suits your guest’s dietary needs and check the current label, including any warnings about other allergens. Gluten-free bread can still contain other allergens; use separate serving utensils to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
