When doing the weekly shop for fussy bread eaters, a lighter multigrain loaf could be a good fit if they prefer its taste and texture. If you want to choose wholemeal, look for that wording on the specific loaf and compare the fibre per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means at least three types of grain, but it doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal. Before stocking up for the week, check the allergens and storage instructions too.
If a lighter taste or texture goes down better at home, a less wholemeal multigrain loaf could be a good stepping stone. Compare the ingredients and fibre content of the loaf you choose before buying several for the week.
If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal multigrain bread, check for the word ‘wholemeal’ and read the ingredients list. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, grains, seeds or a dark colour alone don’t mean a multigrain loaf is wholemeal.
If you need gluten-free bread, an ordinary multigrain loaf isn’t an obvious choice. Look for a product clearly labelled gluten-free and check the other allergen information too: gluten-free bread may still contain other allergens.
Before choosing bread for the week, decide what matters most: whether everyone will enjoy it, choosing wholemeal, allergen information or storage. Then compare the packaging of the loaves that meet your needs.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description and compare fibre per 100 g; don’t assume bread is wholemeal based on its colour or seeds. | I want to choose bread for several days and be sure the wholemeal description and fibre content are clear. For around 33% of consumers, choosing wholemeal and checking fibre come first. |
| Taste and texture | Check the ingredients and any seeds; if you’re unsure, try one loaf before buying enough for the week. | If a fussy eater leaves the bread untouched, a large stock-up isn’t much use. For around 27% of consumers, whether they enjoy the taste and texture comes first. |
| Allergens and type of salt | Read the full allergen information. If needed, check whether ‘iodised salt’ or ‘baker’s salt’ is listed in the ingredients. | If I have a gluten-related or other allergen requirement, I want to know what the specific loaf contains before buying it. The type of salt may also be relevant to my choice. For around 20% of consumers, this information matters most. |
| Size and storage | Check the size, the date on the packaging, the storage instructions and any product-specific freezing advice. | I want the amount I buy for the week to match what we’ll actually eat at home, so the bread doesn’t go to waste. Around 20% of consumers prioritise size and storage. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain means at least three types of grain. The word doesn’t tell you whether the whole grain has been used to make the bread.
If you want wholemeal bread for the week, check the product description and ingredients list of the specific loaf.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell what type of salt has been used just from the type of bread.
Look for ‘iodised salt’ or ‘baker’s salt’ on the label, or ask which salt has been used if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
Bread made with several types of grain isn’t automatically gluten-free. Other allergens may still be relevant, even in bread specifically labelled gluten-free.
Check for the ‘gluten-free’ label and read the full allergen information on the packaging you’ve chosen. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must be provided on the label of prepacked products.
If some of the bread is left uneaten, the loaf may be too large for what you’ll get through in a week.
Choose a suitable size and follow the storage instructions. Albert Heijn says that AH OerDesem donker meergranen heel gesneden can be frozen at home on the day of purchase. Don’t assume the same advice applies to other loaves without checking.
The AH OerDesem donker meergranen heel gesneden variety is a wholemeal multigrain sourdough loaf, suited to anyone looking for a larger loaf for the week.
Haverkorn multigrain bread is a packaged wholemeal option. You can compare its ingredients and nutritional values using the product information from PLUS.
The Meisterbäcker Mehrkorn variety is a multigrain loaf explicitly labelled gluten-free, for anyone who needs a product with a gluten-free description.
Dirk lists a fresh multigrain loaf from Bakker van der Akker in half and whole sizes, so you can choose a size to suit how much bread you get through in a week.
These rolls are an option if you’re looking for smaller portions for the weekly shop and are considering a less wholemeal multigrain variety. Check the packaging if wholemeal, allergens or storage are important to your choice.
Image unavailable
Four individual rolls could suit a weekly shop where you’d prefer to buy smaller portions.
Don’t assume these rolls are wholemeal or gluten-free without checking: read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. Only compare fibre and salt with other bread when the nutritional values are given for the same quantity.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread is made from at least three different types of grain, but it can also be made with refined flour. If you want wholemeal bread, look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the specific product and check the ingredients.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers don’t have to use it. Check the label or ask which salt is used if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
Ask the seller before you buy, or check the information displayed by the bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says consumers must be able to get allergen information about unpackaged foods before purchase too.
That depends on the storage instructions for the bread you’ve chosen. For example, Albert Heijn says AH OerDesem donker meergranen heel gesneden can be frozen at home on the day of purchase. For other loaves, check their packaging or product information.
