If you’re watching your fibre intake
You want to serve bread at your dinner party whose wholemeal labelling and nutritional information you can check, rather than relying on the name ‘multigrain’ alone.
Who are these choices relevant to?
If you want to prepare the bread just before serving
You want to serve bake-at-home baguettes or rolls and can fit their preparation around the rest of the meal.
If you need to take guests’ allergies into account
Before buying, you need to be able to check which cereals containing gluten and other relevant allergens are in the bread, or may be present.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide which bread suits your guests and when you’ll be serving it. Then compare the ingredients, fibre per 100 g and size of the specific products you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Read the wholemeal labelling and ingredients list; compare fibre per 100 g for products in the same format and state of preparation. | If I’m watching my fibre intake, I want to know what’s in the bread rather than relying on the name ‘multigrain’ alone. Around 33% of consumers put this check first. |
| Preparation and size | Check whether the bread is ready to serve or needs baking, and whether its size and preparation fit your plans. | Just before serving, I want to be able to share bread without its preparation clashing with the other dishes. Around 25% of consumers prioritise when they’ll be serving it. |
| Allergens | Ask your guests about allergies in advance and check the latest allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. | When guests have allergies, I need to be able to assess the exact bread before putting it on the table. Around 25% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Quantity and leftovers | Choose a half or whole loaf, or a multipack, to suit the menu and check the storage instructions. | I want enough bread for my guests, without choosing a size that leaves more than necessary. Around 17% of consumers prioritise this balance. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain means wholemeal
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain means that the bread is made from at least three types of grain. It doesn’t mean that all the flour used is wholemeal; Albert Heijn’s multigrain hearth-baked loaf, for example, also contains wheat flour.
For a fibre-conscious choice, check the wholemeal labelling, ingredients and fibre per 100 g for the exact loaf.
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Judging by the colour or visible seeds
A dark colour or seeds on the crust don’t tell you whether the bread is entirely wholemeal or which allergens it contains.
Use the appearance to decide how you’d like to serve the bread, but check the ingredients and allergen information to find out what’s in it.
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Assuming every loaf contains iodine
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. So you can’t tell from the name ‘multigrain’ which type of salt has been used.
Check the ingredients for baker’s salt or iodised salt; if the bread isn’t packaged, ask which ingredients have been used.
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Buying bake-at-home bread without planning when to serve it
Bake-at-home baguettes need space in the oven or air fryer at the right time. This can be tricky if you’re using it to prepare other dishes too.
Read the instructions for the product you’ve chosen and plan its preparation around the rest of the menu.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
A good place to start if you want to slice a whole multigrain hearth-baked loaf and check its product details in advance.
- For AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel, Albert Heijn lists 31% wholemeal wheat flour, 5.2 g of fibre per 100 g and iodised sea salt.
- This particular loaf also contains wheat flour. If you’re serving it to guests, check the listed allergens and possible presence of milk, sesame, soya and lactose too.
Jumbo
An option for comparing different multigrain breads, including wholemeal varieties and half loaves, alongside the rest of your shopping.
- Jumbo lists products including Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen and Volkoren Meergranen.
- For each variety you choose, check the ingredients, fibre per 100 g and allergens on the product page or packaging.
Lidl
A supermarket option if you’d like to choose multigrain bread while doing your shopping.
- Lidl describes its featured multigrain bread as containing ingredients including wheat, barley and buckwheat.
- Lidl indicates that the product is only available in store. Check the packaging there for ingredients, nutritional information and allergens.
ALDI
A brand to consider when comparing whole and half wholemeal multigrain loaves to find the right size.
- ALDI lists Boeren volkoren meergranen in both a whole and a half size.
- ALDI also lists a separate Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood. Don’t assume that its features also apply to the multigrain bread.
PLUS
An option if you want to bake wholemeal multigrain baguettes just before serving.
- For its wholemeal multigrain baguettes, PLUS lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour, 7 g of fibre per 100 g and instructions for the oven and air fryer.
- Check the allergens: PLUS lists cereals containing gluten and the possible presence of soya, milk and sesame.
Dirk
A good place to start if you’re looking for a whole multigrain hearth-baked loaf or a half wholemeal multigrain loaf.
- Dirk describes its multigrain hearth-baked loaf as hearty and packed with grains and seeds, and also lists Casino meergranen volkoren half.
- For the variety you choose, check the ingredients, fibre and allergens on the latest packaging.
Multigrain bread at Joybuy
If you’d like bread to share at the table, this pack contains two multigrain baguettes. Check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions for this variety before adding it to your dinner plans.
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g'woon Popular Multigrain Baguettes, 2 pieces, 300 g
This pack of two baguettes could be a good choice if you’d like to share bread at the table. Before buying, check the latest allergen information and preparation instructions, especially if you want to serve the bread warm.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain refers to the use of at least three types of grain, not to using wholemeal flour exclusively. Check the wholemeal labelling and ingredients of the bread you want to buy.
Does every loaf contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. Read the ingredients list to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt has been used in the bread you’ve chosen.
How do I check the allergens in bread for guests?
First, ask which allergens are relevant to your guests, then check the information for the exact bread, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked bread is shown on the label; for unpackaged bread, ask the seller for this information.
Can I buy the bread before the dinner party?
Yes, if the storage or freezing instructions for the bread you’ve chosen fit your plans. For example, Albert Heijn says that its multigrain hearth-baked loaf can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; check the current packaging before assuming this applies to a different loaf.