Students living alone who don't eat much bread
A half loaf may suit your irregular mealtimes better. If you have room in the freezer, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also advises that you can freeze a whole loaf in portions as soon as you buy it.
Who is this useful for?
Students comparing the ingredients in everyday bread
If fibre is your main concern, check whether the multigrain bread is specifically labelled wholemeal. Also compare the fibre and salt per 100 g in the nutrition information, so different loaf sizes don't skew the comparison.
Students who need to consider allergens
The name ‘multigrain bread’ doesn't tell you which ingredients a particular loaf contains. Check the current ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging before buying.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how much bread you use and whether you can freeze portions. Then check the ingredients and slices of the specific loaf. A label such as ‘half’ describes the size, not the thickness of the slices.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Size and storage | Compare half and whole loaves; check whether the bread is pre-sliced and whether you can freeze portions. | If I live alone and don't eat bread every day, I don't want to be left with a whole loaf. Around 33% of consumers prioritise loaf size and avoiding waste. |
| Wholemeal status and nutrition information | Look for an explicit wholemeal label and compare fibre and salt per 100 g. | For my daily lunch, I want to know what's actually in the bread, not just which grains are listed on the front. Around 45% of consumers prioritise the ingredients. |
| Where to buy it and slice thickness | Check where the bread is available and whether the packaging or shelf label confirms the slice thickness you want. | When I do my shopping around my classes, I want to be able to pick up my chosen bread at my usual shop. Availability in store is the main concern for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain means wholemeal
The name of the bread alone doesn't tell you how much wholemeal flour or fibre it contains. This distinction matters most if you're choosing bread for everyday use based on its ingredients.
Look for an explicit wholemeal label and compare fibre and salt per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g when checking their nutrition information side by side.
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Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan
If you only eat sandwiches occasionally, you may have some bread left over before you get round to using it.
Start with a half loaf, or follow the Netherlands Nutrition Centre's advice: freeze a whole loaf in portions as soon as you buy it, then take out only what you need.
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Assuming ‘medium-sliced’ means a fixed thickness
Words such as ‘half’, ‘whole’ and ‘sliced’ answer different questions: how much bread you're buying, whether it's sliced and how thick the slices are.
Check the packaging or ask at the bread counter about the slice thickness if it matters for your lunch or toasties.
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Guessing which allergens are present from the bread's name
The grains and other allergens in a loaf depend on which bread you choose. Recipes can also change.
Check the current ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging every time. Don't assume that ‘multigrain’ means the bread is suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Brands to consider
These examples can help you focus on size, ingredients and slice thickness. Check the current packaging and what's available at your shop for the bread you choose.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Vloerbrood meergranen half and AH Zaans meergranen half, which may be useful if you're looking for a half loaf.
- The AH Vloerbrood meergranen half product page lists nutrition information and allergens.
- Albert Heijn notes that product information can change. Check the packaging; this farmhouse loaf is listed on the page as an in-store product.
Jumbo
Jumbo's multigrain bread range includes whole and half loaves, including varieties explicitly labelled wholemeal.
- You can use the range to look specifically for loaf size and a wholemeal label.
- A separate page for Jumbo Volkoren Meergranen Brood Half says that this product is no longer in the online range. Check the current availability of the bread you want to buy.
Lidl
Lidl lists a multigrain bread containing ingredients including wheat, barley and buckwheat as an in-store product.
- The product description names some of the grains you can compare when checking ingredients.
- Check the packaging in store if slice thickness, the full ingredients list or allergens matter to your choice.
ALDI
ALDI lists whole and half multigrain loaves among its fresh-baked breads.
- A half-size loaf is worth considering if you don't eat much bread.
- Check the wholemeal label, slice thickness and allergens on the packaging of the specific variety.
PLUS
PLUS lists products including PLUS Korenlanders Desem Meergranen Boekweit and Brood van Soma Haverkorn meergranen.
- The individual product names give you a starting point for comparing ingredients and varieties in more detail.
- Check that the size and slice thickness of the specific loaf meet your needs.
Dirk
Dirk lists products including Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half.
- The ‘half’ label makes this product worth considering if you're looking for a smaller loaf.
- Search results for multigrain also include other types of products. Check the slice thickness, ingredients and allergens of the loaf you choose.
Related Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. ‘Multigrain’ isn't a substitute for an explicit wholemeal label. Check the product name and ingredients list, and compare fibre and salt per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread generally contains more fibre than bread made with refined grains.
How should I store bread if I live alone?
Freeze any bread you won't use soon in portions as soon as you buy it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends taking out only what you need each time. Also follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the bread you choose.
Do I need to check for allergens in multigrain bread?
Yes. If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the current ingredients list and allergen information for the specific loaf. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly indicated in the ingredients list. Don't rely solely on a previous purchase of the same product.
Can I assume that every multigrain loaf contains baker's salt with added iodine?
No. The name ‘multigrain bread’ doesn't confirm which type of salt was used in a particular loaf. Check the ingredients list on the packaging to find out.
What if the online product information differs from the packaging?
Use the packaging of the bread you're actually buying to check ingredients, allergens and how to use it. Albert Heijn notes that this kind of product information can change.