Student who shops for small quantities
You buy bread for several meals each day, but don’t want to take home more than you’re likely to use. So don’t compare a half loaf with a whole loaf as if the packs were the same size.
Who is this relevant to?
Student comparing wholemeal options and fibre
You’re looking for multigrain bread and want to know which grains and types of flour it contains. The product description, ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g will tell you more than the colour or name alone.
One-person household looking to store bread
You don’t eat the same amount of bread every day. A half loaf or a whole loaf with suitable freezing instructions can help you match the amount to how much you use.
What should you look for when choosing?
First work out how much bread you actually use, then compare the product descriptions, nutritional information and ingredients of the packs that suit you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Amount per purchase | Check whether it’s a half or whole loaf and look at the pack weight. | When I spread my shopping over several days, I don’t want to buy more bread at once than I’ll use. Around 36% of consumers would put the amount bought first. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Read the product description and ingredients list; compare fibre on a like-for-like basis, per 100 g. | I want to be able to identify wholemeal flour without judging by how dark the bread is. For around 29% of consumers, wholemeal and fibre would be the main priority. |
| Portions and storage | Check whether the amount suits how much you use and, if freezing, follow the instructions for that specific loaf. | When I live alone, I want to avoid leaving some of the loaf uneaten. For around 21% of consumers, a suitable portion size would make the difference. |
| Ingredients and baker’s salt | Check the allergen statement and, if it matters to your choice, see whether baker’s salt is listed. | I need to be able to check whether the ingredients meet my requirements and which salt has been used. For around 14% of consumers, checking the label would be most important. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming dark bread is wholemeal
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain means that bread contains at least three types of grain. It doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether wholemeal flour has been used.
Read the product description and ingredients list. To compare fibre, use the values per 100 g on the pack.
-
Treating a half loaf and a whole loaf as equal-sized packs
A half loaf and a whole loaf don’t contain the same amount. Even loaves in the same shape can vary in weight.
Check the weight and choose an amount that suits the number of meals you need bread for.
-
Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan
A whole loaf may be more than a one-person household can use in time. Albert Heijn and PLUS say that specific multigrain loaves can be frozen on the day of purchase.
Otherwise, choose a smaller loaf or follow the storage instructions on the exact pack when freezing it.
-
Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So the type of bread or the shop’s name for it won’t tell you which salt is in the product.
Check the label for baker’s salt or iodised salt, or ask about the ingredients if the bread is unwrapped.
Brands compared
Albert Heijn
The range includes AH whole multigrain floor-baked bread.
- For this floor-baked loaf, Albert Heijn lists 5.2 g of fibre per 100 g and says to freeze it on the day of purchase.
- The ingredients for this loaf include both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour. The name ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t confirm that it’s made entirely with wholemeal flour.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range includes Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen and Stevig Meergranen.
- Jumbo lists 43% wholemeal wheat flour and 8.6 g of fibre per 100 g for Stevig Meergranen.
- This specific loaf contains sesame and soya, among other ingredients. Check the allergen statement on the pack.
Lidl
Lidl’s range includes freshly baked bread, including multigrain bread.
- Lidl publishes an ingredients and allergen guide for its freshly baked bread range.
- When you buy, check which guide applies to the bread in your shop and read the latest product information.
ALDI
ALDI lists Boeren volkoren meergranen as a half loaf.
- The half-size pack is an option if you need less bread at a time.
- Check the weight and nutritional information on the pack if you want to compare this loaf with another product.
PLUS
PLUS’s range includes Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel.
- For this specific loaf, PLUS lists 50% wholemeal wheat flour, 6.8 g of fibre per 100 g and freezing instructions.
- Check the ingredients and storage instructions on the current pack; these details apply to this loaf, not to every multigrain bread from PLUS.
Dirk
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers multigrain bread in half and whole sizes.
- You can choose a pack size from this bread range that suits how much you use.
- Check the weight and nutritional information for your chosen loaf on the pack before comparing it with another bread.
Bread options at Joybuy
These options include multigrain rolls, baguettes and loaves in different pack sizes. They need to be thawed and baked in the oven; check each product to make sure the amount, ingredients and preparation method suit your meals. The final option has ‘Multigrain’ in its title, but you’ll need to check the grain content separately.
Image unavailable
g'woon Multigrain Rolls, 4 pack
Four individual rolls may suit you if you don’t want to use a whole loaf straight away.
The rolls need to be thawed and baked in the oven. Check the pack for the wholemeal description, allergens and preparation instructions.
Image unavailable
Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g
Four individual baguettes are handy for meals where you want to use bread one piece at a time.
According to the product name, each baguette weighs 135 g. They need to be thawed and baked in the oven before use; also read the allergen statement on the pack.
Image unavailable
Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 2 × 550 g
This pack of two loaves is suited to a household with space to store bread and enough people to use it.
According to the product name, each loaf weighs 550 g. The loaves need to be frozen before baking, thawed and then baked in the oven; check the instructions on the pack.
Image unavailable
Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 2 × 4 × 135 g
Two packs of four baguettes need more storage space than the pack of four.
According to the product name, each baguette weighs 135 g. You’ll need an oven to thaw and bake them; follow the baking time on the pack.
Image unavailable
Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g
One 550 g loaf comes in a smaller pack than the option with two loaves.
The loaf needs to be thawed and baked in the oven. If you’re specifically looking for bread made with several types of grain, check the current ingredients and follow the baking time on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain means at least three types of grain, not necessarily wholemeal flour. Check the product description and ingredients list if you’re specifically looking for wholemeal multigrain bread.
Does all bread in the Netherlands contain baker’s salt?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the label for baker’s salt or iodised salt; if the bread is unwrapped, ask about the ingredients.
How much bread should I choose if I live alone?
Choose a half loaf if that better suits how much you can use in time, or check the freezing instructions for a whole loaf. For the specific loaves mentioned here, Albert Heijn and PLUS say to freeze them on the day of purchase and use them within one month.
Does ‘multigrain’ tell me which allergens are in the bread?
No. Multigrain breads can contain different gluten-containing grains and other allergens; Jumbo lists sesame and soya among the ingredients in Stevig Meergranen. So if you need to avoid certain ingredients, check the allergen statement on the exact pack.