Who is this relevant to?

Fibre-conscious bread buyers

You’re looking for bread to share at a meal and want to know whether it really has a wholemeal base. So you compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g, rather than relying on the front of the pack.

Hosts who want to share warm bread

You want to serve bread as a side that everyone can share. A baguette or roll that you bake just before the meal needs different preparation from sliced bread.

Buyers who need to check allergens

Before buying, you check which grains and allergens are listed on the packaging. The multigrain products reviewed include cereals containing gluten; warnings about sesame, milk or soya vary by product.

What should you look for when choosing?

For an Asian night, start by comparing the wholemeal claim and nutritional information. Then choose a bread shape that suits how you’ll serve it, and check the ingredients for the specific product.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal base and fibre Look for ‘wholemeal’ and check the types of flour in the ingredients list. Compare fibre per 100 g for products with the same preparation status. If fibre is your main consideration, you’ll want to see what the bread is made from rather than relying on the word ‘multigrain’. For around 33% of consumers, choosing wholemeal and fibre is the top priority.
Bread shape Check the number of pieces, the weight and, for bake-at-home bread, the baking instructions. If you want bread that everyone at the table can share, you’ll want to know whether you need to bake it first. Around 20% of consumers give this way of serving bread top priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including warnings about possible traces. If someone sharing the meal needs to avoid certain ingredients, you’ll need to check the bread before choosing it. For around 27% of consumers, checking the ingredients comes first.
Availability Check whether your chosen bread is available at your local store or for delivery to your area, and read the packaging of the product you actually buy. If you need the bread for this meal, you’ll want to know whether you can get that particular variety. For around 20% of consumers, availability is the main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming multigrain means wholemeal

    According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ means that at least three types of grain are used. The term alone doesn’t tell you whether the bread is made with wholemeal flour.

    Check for a wholemeal claim and read the ingredients list. Then use the fibre per 100 g to compare suitable products.

  • Going by the colour, seeds or the word ‘waldkorn’

    Albert Heijn explains that waldkorn bread can be made with wholemeal flour, white flour or a combination of the two. A dark colour or seeds on top therefore don’t confirm that it has a wholemeal base.

    Let the appearance guide your preference for flavour and texture, but read the label to find out what it’s made from.

  • Checking allergens only once you’re at the table

    The grains listed and allergen warnings vary between breads. For example, product information from Jumbo and PLUS lists cereals containing gluten and the possible presence of other allergens.

    Read the current packaging before buying if someone needs to avoid certain ingredients; don’t assume multigrain bread is gluten-free.

  • Assuming an online listing means it’s always in store

    Lidl notes that its fresh range may vary from store to store. A product listing alone doesn’t tell you which bread you’ll be able to buy at the time you want it.

    Check the range at your chosen store and compare the packaging of the available variety with your selection criteria.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Worth considering if you want to compare the information for a specific wholemeal multigrain roll.

  • The AH Meergranen broodje volkoren product page lists 43% wholemeal wheat flour, 9 g of fibre per 100 g and iodised salt.
  • The page marks the roll as no longer in the range. Check the packaging and nutritional information again if you choose an alternative.

Jumbo

A useful starting point if you want to assess sliced wholemeal multigrain bread.

  • Jumbo Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen Half lists 8.0 g of fibre per 100 g and several wholegrain ingredients.
  • The product contains cereals with gluten and may also contain milk, sesame and soya. Check the allergens for the variety you choose.

Lidl

For anyone considering a multigrain loaf from their local fresh range.

  • Lidl describes a multigrain loaf containing ingredients such as wheat, barley and buckwheat.
  • If you want a wholemeal option, check whether the ingredients for the variety at your local store list wholemeal flour; the fresh range may vary from store to store.

Aldi

For anyone comparing a whole loaf sold under the product name Boeren volkoren meergranen.

  • Aldi describes this variety as a whole loaf containing grains and seeds.
  • To compare fibre and allergens, read the nutritional information and ingredients on the packaging.

Plus

For anyone who wants to bake and share wholemeal multigrain baguettes.

  • PLUS Baguettes volkoren meergranen lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour and 7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The ingredients include wheat, rye, barley and oats; milk, soya and sesame may also be present. Remember to check the baking instructions too.

Dirk

For anyone comparing regular multigrain varieties with products explicitly labelled as wholemeal.

  • Dirk lists Bakkers meergranen and Bakkers Multikorn volkoren as separate product names.
  • Check the label for the wholemeal base, fibre and allergens for each individual variety.

Multigrain bread on Joybuy

These multigrain baguettes suit the idea of serving bread in pieces alongside an Asian night meal. If you’re choosing a wholemeal option or comparing fibre, check the ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging.

g'woon Popular Multigrain Baguettes, pack of 2

g'woon Popular Multigrain Baguettes, 2 pieces, 300 g

The baguette shape works well if you want to serve the bread in pieces. The pack contains 2 baguettes with a total weight of 300 g. Check the ingredients for the wholemeal content, the unit used for the fibre figure and the instructions if you want to serve the bread warm. If you have allergies, read the current allergen information too.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain means that bread contains at least three types of grain; it doesn’t tell you whether the flour is wholemeal. Check the product name and ingredients list, then compare the fibre per 100 g.

Does dark bread or waldkorn mean it’s wholemeal?

No. Albert Heijn explains that waldkorn bread can be made with wholemeal flour, white flour or a combination of the two. So check the label to assess what it’s made from, rather than judging by its colour.

How do I prepare bake-at-home baguettes for a meal to share?

Follow the instructions for the baguettes you buy. For PLUS Baguettes volkoren meergranen, the instructions specify 8–10 minutes in an oven at 220 °C or 5–6 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 200 °C; don’t assume these timings apply to another product.

Can I assume multigrain bread is gluten-free?

No. The Jumbo and PLUS varieties described contain cereals with gluten. Read the ingredients and, if you need to eat gluten-free, choose only a product whose current packaging clearly states that it is gluten-free.

Does multigrain bread always contain iodised salt?

You can’t assume that every multigrain bread contains iodised salt. The product pages for PLUS Baguettes volkoren meergranen and AH Meergranen broodje volkoren list iodised salt; check the current ingredients list for the bread you buy.