Hosts catering for fussy eaters
If you’re putting together a bread basket for guests with different preferences, look for bread that lists both white flour and wholemeal flour. That way, you won’t have to guess what it contains from its colour.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Guests who pay attention to wholemeal flour and fibre
The term ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour a loaf contains. For this choice, the ingredients list and fibre per 100 g are more useful than the name of the bread alone.
Anyone planning the Christmas bread basket
If you want to bake the bread just before serving, oven or air fryer space matters too. Bread that’s already baked won’t need preparation time during dinner.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide what kind of bread you want in the basket, then consider whether baking it fits your plans. Wholemeal flour and the way the bread is served are separate features: part-baked bread can also be made with a wholemeal base.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| A mix of white flour and wholemeal flour | Look for both ingredients on the label; stated percentages make the composition clearer. | If guests have different bread preferences, I want to choose a clear mix of white flour and wholemeal flour. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this combination. |
| Wholemeal flour and fibre | Check the ingredients list and compare the fibre per 100 g in the breads you’re considering. | I want to be able to identify wholemeal flour without relying on a dark colour. For around 40% of consumers, this wholemeal focus matters most. |
| Preparation around dinner time | Read the preparation instructions and baking time; check whether the oven or air fryer will be available just before serving. | If other dishes will be using the oven, I want to know whether baking the bread still fits the schedule. Around 20% of consumers give serving arrangements the highest priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark bread, Waldkorn or multigrain means wholemeal
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread is made with at least three types of grain; the name doesn’t mean those grains are wholegrain. The colour won’t tell you that either.
Look for wholemeal flour in the ingredients list and, if fibre is important to your choice, compare the nutritional information per 100 g.
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Guessing allergens from the name of the bread
The multigrain products mentioned may contain different gluten-containing cereals. Some varieties also list sesame, soya or milk as an ingredient or as a possible presence.
If you have allergies, check the allergen information on the exact pack you’re buying; don’t rely on information from a different brand or loaf size.
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Choosing part-baked bread without checking your oven schedule
Part-baked bread needs to be prepared just before serving if you want to serve it warm. This may coincide with cooking the main course.
Check the instructions for your bread and set aside the necessary equipment, or choose bread that’s already baked if you don’t have the space.
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Making assumptions about iodine and salt without reading the label
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that bread can contain iodine from bakers’ salt. That doesn’t mean every multigrain loaf contains iodised salt; salt levels also vary by product.
Check the chosen pack for iodised salt or bakers’ salt in the ingredients, and read the salt content per 100 g.
Brands to compare
Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for each loaf. The examples below relate to particular product lines or varieties, not every bread from each brand.
Albert Heijn
A useful reference for multigrain breads that list a combination of white flour and wholemeal flour.
- AH Whole Multigrain Oven-Bottom Loaf lists 31% wholemeal wheat flour and 30% wheat flour.
- If you’re looking for an entirely wholemeal loaf, compare this blend with another variety.
Jumbo
A useful reference when comparing explicitly wholemeal multigrain bread.
- Jumbo Wholemeal Multigrain Bread was listed as containing 7.8 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Check which variety is currently available to buy; the product page said this particular bread was no longer part of the online range.
Lidl
A multigrain option available in store, where you can check the label.
- Lidl lists wheat, barley and buckwheat among the ingredients in its Multigrain Bread and says it’s sold in store.
- Check the label on the loaf you choose for the exact ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
ALDI
A useful reference for a multigrain variety labelled as wholemeal.
- ALDI describes its Farmer’s Wholemeal Multigrain Bread as a bread with grains and seeds.
- Before comparing varieties, check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack you choose.
PLUS
A useful reference if you want to bake wholemeal multigrain bread for dinner.
- PLUS Wholemeal Multigrain Baguettes list 56% wholemeal wheat flour and 7 g of fibre per 100 g for the unprepared product.
- Baking it means fitting oven or air fryer time into your dinner plans.
Dirk
A useful reference for comparing multigrain bread in different shapes, including oven-bottom loaves and baguettes.
- The range overview showed multigrain bread and a Multikorn variety labelled as wholemeal, among other options.
- Check the label on the individual product for wholemeal flour and allergens, rather than relying on the range overview.
Multigrain bread on Joybuy
These multigrain baguettes are an option for a shared bread basket if you’re looking for a variety that lists wholemeal wheat flour. Before Christmas dinner, check the pack to see whether and how they need to be baked.
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g'woon Popular multigrain baguettes, 2 pieces, 300 g
An option for the bread basket if you’re looking for multigrain baguettes made with wholemeal flour. This variety lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour, and the pack contains 2 baguettes weighing 300 g in total. If you specifically want a clear combination of white flour and wholemeal flour, also check whether the label lists white flour and its percentage. Read the pack for preparation instructions and allergen information before planning to serve this bread to guests.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means at least three types of grain, not a particular proportion of wholemeal flour. If you want to choose wholemeal bread or a mix of white flour and wholemeal flour for Christmas dinner, read the ingredients list.
Does all multigrain bread in the Netherlands contain iodised salt?
No, that doesn’t follow from Dutch regulations. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that bread can contain iodine from bakers’ salt. Check the ingredients list for iodised salt or bakers’ salt on the specific loaf, and read its salt content per 100 g separately.
What should I look out for if someone at the table has a grain or sesame allergy?
Read the allergen information on the exact pack you’re serving. Multigrain bread can contain different gluten-containing cereals. PLUS Wholemeal Multigrain Baguettes list wheat, rye, barley and oats, and mention the possible presence of sesame, among other allergens. Don’t assume the information is the same as for another loaf.
How should I plan part-baked baguettes around Christmas dinner?
Check the preparation instructions on your pack and set aside the necessary equipment just before serving. PLUS Wholemeal Multigrain Baguettes are listed as needing 8–10 minutes in the oven at 220 °C or 5–6 minutes in the air fryer at 200 °C; don’t use these timings for a different variety.
Can I freeze the bread in advance?
It depends on the specific bread. Albert Heijn says that AH Extra Long-Lasting Waldkorn Authentic can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. For other breads, follow the storage instructions on the pack.