Families with fussy eaters
For anyone looking for a loaf the family will enjoy, while also wanting to check whether it’s wholemeal and how much fibre is listed in the nutritional information.
Who is this choice relevant for?
Christmas brunch organisers
For anyone choosing between bread that’s ready to serve and bake-at-home bread that needs oven space just before the meal.
Hosts keeping an eye on ingredients
For anyone who needs to check the allergen information and, where relevant, the salt content of each loaf before serving.
What should you look for when choosing?
Before choosing bread for your Christmas table, decide what matters most: wholegrain and fibre, a familiar flavour, when you’ll serve it, or the ingredient information your guests need.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Most relevant for |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information for similar loaves. | If wholegrain cereals are a priority for my Christmas table, I don’t want to rely on the name ‘multigrain’; around 33% of consumers give wholemeal and fibre top priority. |
| Flavour and texture | Check the bread name and ingredients; consider a half loaf if you’d like to try a variety first. | With fussy eaters at the table, I want to choose a loaf with an appealing flavour and texture; around 27% of consumers put this first. |
| Serving and baking | Choose a bread format that suits your serving plans and, for bake-at-home bread, check the preparation time and storage instructions. | If the oven is needed for other Christmas dishes, I want to serve bread without needing another baking slot; serving convenience matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
| Allergens and salt | Read the current allergen information, including ‘may contain’ warnings, and compare salt per 100 g if needed. | If guests need information about ingredients or salt, I want to check it for each loaf before serving; this is a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread can be made with refined flour. A dark colour or visible seeds don’t prove that a loaf is wholemeal either.
Look for an explicit wholemeal label, and check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g as well.
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Relying on the bread name when checking for allergies
Breads made with different grains and seeds may contain different allergens, depending on the recipe. The name won’t tell you which ingredients or warnings apply to that particular loaf.
Check the current packaging for the product you’ve chosen, both before buying and before serving.
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Buying bake-at-home bread without making time to bake it
Bake-at-home bread still needs to be prepared. ALDI gives a baking time of 8–10 minutes for its multigrain baguettes; for other products, follow the instructions on their packaging.
Choose bread that’s ready to serve if the oven is in use, or make time and space in the oven to bake it.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers different types of multigrain bread, including dark bread and stone-baked loaves.
- The product formats give you a useful starting point when choosing between a whole loaf and other ways to serve bread.
- Albert Heijn notes that ingredients and allergen information can change, so check the packaging of the loaf you buy.
Jumbo
Jumbo has listed product information for wholemeal multigrain bread and a multigrain variety with a different salt content.
- The product names show the differences in wholemeal status and salt content you can compare between loaves.
- The Jumbo pages reviewed said these specific loaves were no longer available online; check the current range before adding them to your shopping list.
Lidl
Lidl describes a multigrain loaf made with, among other things, wheat, barley and buckwheat.
- The named grains can help you assess whether the mix is right for you.
- Lidl lists this loaf as an in-store product; check the packaging in store for its wholemeal status, nutritional information and allergens.
ALDI
ALDI offers sliced wholemeal multigrain bread and multigrain baguettes to bake at home.
- The two bread formats suit different serving plans; ALDI gives a baking time of 8–10 minutes for the baguettes.
- The wholemeal label on the sliced loaf doesn’t automatically apply to the baguettes. Check each product separately.
PLUS
PLUS offers a round wholemeal multigrain loaf and wholemeal multigrain bake-at-home baguettes.
- For the round loaf, PLUS lists 50% wholemeal wheat flour and 6,8 g of fibre per 100 g, giving you specific packaging details to compare.
- The information for this loaf lists wheat, barley, oats and sesame, among other ingredients; check the current allergen information if your guests need it.
Dirk
Dirk offers, among other things, a half multigrain loaf from Bakker van der Akker and other multigrain loaves.
- A half loaf is one size to consider for a smaller Christmas gathering.
- Check the packaging of the variety you choose for its ingredients and nutritional information.
Multigrain bread at Joybuy
These rolls and loaves are suited to a Christmas brunch with individual portions or bread to share. Allow time to prepare the bake-at-home products, too; check the packaging of each variety separately for its wholemeal status and allergens.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g
For a brunch with individual portions of warm bread, provided you have the time and oven space to defrost and bake it.
Preparation times vary across the product information, so follow the instructions on the packaging. Also check the wholemeal status and allergen information before serving.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 2 × 550 g
For anyone who wants to slice round loaves for brunch. Allow time to defrost, bake and cool them before serving.
Check the packaging to see whether the loaf is labelled wholemeal, and review the current allergen information for your guests.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g
For a table where you want to share one round loaf and have space to defrost, bake and cool it before slicing.
The product information gives different baking times, so follow the instructions on the packaging. Check it for wholemeal status and allergens, too.
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g'woon Multigrain Rolls, 4 pieces
Individual rolls are a good option if you’d like to serve each guest their own portion at Christmas brunch.
If wholemeal matters, don’t rely on the word multigrain: check the bread name, nutritional information and allergen details on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ refers to bread made with at least three types of grain, but it can still be made with refined flour. If it matters to you, look for an explicit ‘wholemeal’ label.
Should I choose a whole loaf or bake-at-home bread for Christmas brunch?
A whole or half loaf is a good choice if you want to serve bread without needing an extra slot in the oven. Bake-at-home bread is ideal if you’d like to serve it warm just before the meal. Check the preparation instructions on the packaging and make sure you have enough time and oven space.
Where can I check the allergens in multigrain bread?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging of the bread you’re serving. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed on the label; don’t rely on the bread name alone.
Does ‘multigrain’ also mean ‘gluten-free’?
No. Multigrain bread may contain grains that contain gluten. If you need a gluten-free option, check the explicit label and the full allergen information on the packaging of the specific product.