For a fussy eater, start by choosing a bread texture they’ll accept and a size you can finish. A half loaf can help reduce waste. If you want wholemeal bread, look specifically for ‘wholemeal’ and check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread is not automatically wholemeal. Also check whether baker’s salt is listed, as bakers don’t always use it.
If seeds, crust or a coarse texture determine whether the bread gets eaten, a smaller size can be useful when trying a different variety. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread as options for children.
If you can’t get through a whole loaf, consider buying half a loaf. Compare loaves of the same size and think about how much bread your household actually eats.
The word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that a loaf is wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread can also be made with refined flour, so check the packaging and ingredients list.
First, work out which textures the eater will accept. Then choose a size you can finish, and check the label for the features that matter to your household.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and taste | Check whether seeds or coarse grains are visible, and whether the crust is suitable for what the eater will accept. | If visible pieces are a reason to leave bread uneaten, I want to know what it looks like first. Texture is the top priority for around 40% of shoppers. |
| Size and waste | See whether you can buy half a loaf or another quantity you can finish. | If a whole loaf is often left over, I’d rather try a smaller amount. Around 30% of shoppers give reducing waste top priority. |
| Wholemeal and labelling | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and read the ingredients and allergen information; also check whether baker’s salt is listed. | For everyday bread, I want to be sure what ‘multigrain’ means on this particular pack and what ingredients it contains. Checking the label comes first for around 30% of shoppers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread can also be made with refined flour. So the name alone doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal.
If you want wholemeal bread, look specifically for ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging and check the ingredients list.
If the eater doesn’t like the texture or the bread doesn’t get finished, a lot could be left over.
If you’re unsure, try half a loaf first and choose a size that suits how much bread your household eats.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, Dutch bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it’s been used from the bread’s name alone.
Check whether ‘baker’s salt’ is on the label, or ask the baker.
The ingredients in multigrain bread vary by product. For example, a loaf may contain wheat, barley or sesame.
If you have a relevant allergy or coeliac disease, read the current label on the exact loaf you’re buying. Don’t rely on its colour or on an older pack.
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Multigrain Hearth Loaf, whole, and AH Farmhouse Dark Multigrain Loaf, whole.
Jumbo lists whole and half multigrain loaves, including wholemeal varieties and loaves with seeds.
Lidl describes a multigrain loaf containing ingredients including wheat, barley and buckwheat.
ALDI lists a half farmhouse wholemeal multigrain loaf.
PLUS lists a whole, round Korenlanders dark multigrain loaf, with information about ingredients and allergens.
Dirk’s range includes half multigrain and wholemeal multigrain loaves.
These multigrain baguettes are an option if you’d like to try smaller individual loaves. A baguette isn’t the same as half a sliced loaf, so consider whether its shape and texture will suit the eater.
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The pack contains four individual 135 g baguettes, ideal if you’d like to try a small amount first.
Allow time to defrost and bake. Before buying, check the ingredients and allergens, whether ‘wholemeal’ and baker’s salt are listed on the packaging, and whether the texture suits the eater.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread can also be made with refined flour. If you specifically want wholemeal bread, look for ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging and check the ingredients list.
A half loaf can be a practical first try if a whole loaf might go uneaten. Also check whether visible seeds and the crust are suitable for what the eater will accept; the size alone doesn’t tell you anything about the texture.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients on the label or ask the baker if you want to know whether a particular loaf contains it.
Read the current label for the specific loaf. Multigrain breads can contain different grains and other allergens, such as sesame; the bread’s name or colour isn’t a reliable way to check.
Check the instructions for the loaf you’re buying. For its whole, round Korenlanders dark multigrain loaf, PLUS says it can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. Don’t assume the same instructions apply to other loaves.
