Families on holiday with fussy eaters
If a mild taste and soft crumb are important, white multigrain bread could be a good stepping stone. Check the product description if you also specifically want to take wholemeal bread with you.
Which choice is right for you?
The best balance between a mild taste and a wholemeal option depends on the holidaymaker: taste, your usual choice of bread and the facilities available can all make a difference.
People who usually choose wholemeal bread
A multigrain variety explicitly labelled wholemeal fits with your usual choice of bread. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread in particular is high in fibre; compare the nutritional information per 100 g for specific loaves.
Holidaymakers who bake their own bread
Bake-off bread could suit a stay where you want to prepare bread later. Check the storage instructions in advance and make sure you have access to the required oven or air fryer.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether a taste everyone will enjoy or an explicitly wholemeal option matters more. Then check whether storage and preparation are practical at your holiday accommodation.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description and, if needed, compare the fibre per 100 g on the label. | I want to choose bread on holiday that matches my usual preference for wholemeal, even if it has a fuller flavour. This preference for wholemeal and fibre is the deciding factor for around 36% of consumers. |
| Taste and texture | Look for the words ‘white’ or ‘wholemeal multigrain’, and check which seeds and kernels are listed. | If a fussy eater turns down coarser bread, I want to consider a lighter option without automatically assuming it’s wholemeal. Taste is the most important factor for around 29% of consumers. |
| Holiday supplies | Read the storage and preparation instructions, and check whether you can use the required oven or air fryer. | I want to be able to prepare bread later in my holiday and need to store it according to the instructions on the packaging in the meantime. This practical approach to holiday supplies is the priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the allergen information and see whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed among the ingredients. | If an allergen or the type of salt used matters to my choice, I want to know what’s in this particular loaf. Checking the label is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal
The colour and the presence of different grains don’t tell you whether wholemeal flour has been used. Albert Heijn explains that waldkorn bread can be made with wholemeal flour, white flour or a combination of the two.
If you want wholemeal bread, check the product description and ingredients list rather than judging by the colour.
-
Taking bake-off bread without checking how to prepare it
A bake-off option won’t suit your holiday plans if you can’t use the equipment it needs.
Before you leave, check what equipment is available and read the preparation and storage instructions for your chosen bread.
-
Assuming every loaf contains the same type of salt
The Voedingscentrum identifies bread baked with iodised baker’s salt as an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. That doesn’t tell you which type of salt has been used in an individual loaf.
Check the ingredients list for ‘iodised salt’ or ‘baker’s salt’.
-
Overlooking allergens when choosing wholemeal bread
The label ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t tell you which allergens a multigrain loaf contains or may contain.
For your chosen product, read both the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings.
Brands to consider
These supermarket examples show why a bread’s name doesn’t always tell you everything: compare the information for the specific variety you want to buy.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s bread range includes AH Waldkorn Authentic, among other options.
- Albert Heijn explains that waldkorn bread can be made with wholemeal flour, white flour or a mix of the two.
- So the name waldkorn and a dark colour aren’t a substitute for checking the ingredients list if you’re looking for wholemeal bread.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists both White Multigrain Bread and Wholemeal Multigrain Bread.
- The product names make it easy to look for either a white or an explicitly wholemeal option.
- Compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the loaves you’re considering; the product names alone don’t give you a full comparison of their fibre content.
Lidl
Lidl describes a multigrain bread made with wheat, barley and buckwheat, among other ingredients.
- The grains listed can help you decide whether the ingredients suit your preferences.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and wholemeal label for the specific variety you choose.
ALDI
ALDI lists both luxury hearth-baked multigrain bread and country-style wholemeal multigrain bread.
- The luxury hearth-baked loaf is described as pre-sliced, while the country-style variety is explicitly labelled wholemeal.
- Compare the fibre and salt on the packaging for the specific variety, rather than relying on the general type of bread.
PLUS
PLUS lists wholemeal multigrain rolls and bake-off wholemeal multigrain baguettes.
- For its baguettes, PLUS lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour and iodised salt, among other ingredients. PLUS says its rolls can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within a month.
- The baguettes need to be baked; check that the preparation method will work at your holiday accommodation.
Dirk
Dirk lists hearth-baked multigrain bread and Bakker van der Akker Bakers’ half multigrain loaf, among other options.
- A half loaf may be a better quantity for a smaller holiday group.
- A description mentioning grains and seeds doesn’t confirm that the variety is wholemeal; check the product information to be sure.
Bread options on Joybuy
This selection includes three Multigrain varieties and a separate Whole Wheat option for anyone who wants to bake bread during their holiday. Check the packaging for the wholemeal label and make sure the storage and preparation instructions suit your stay.
Image unavailable
Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 2 × 550 g
An option if you want to take two round multigrain loaves to bake later. Check the storage instructions on the packaging and whether the loaves are wholemeal; also check the allergens and type of salt used.
Image unavailable
Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g
The pack of four baguettes is a good fit if you want to bake bread in smaller quantities. Check the preparation instructions on the packaging before use; if you prefer wholemeal bread, also check the ingredients and allergen information.
Image unavailable
Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g
This 550 g round multigrain loaf is an option if you’d rather bake one loaf than buy a pack of two. Check the baking time and storage instructions on the packaging, along with the wholemeal label and allergen information.
Image unavailable
Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
A separate wholemeal option for anyone who prioritises this over a multigrain mix. The name says Whole Wheat, not Multigrain; check the ingredients if you’re specifically looking for multigrain bread, and follow the storage and preparation instructions on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread always wholemeal?
No, ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘wholemeal’. Albert Heijn, for example, explains that waldkorn bread can be made with wholemeal flour, white flour or a mix of the two. If you want wholemeal bread, look for an explicit wholemeal label and read the ingredients list.
How can I check whether bread contains iodised salt?
Check the ingredients list for ‘iodised salt’ or ‘baker’s salt’. The Voedingscentrum identifies bread baked with iodised baker’s salt as an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, but don’t assume every loaf contains the same type of salt without checking the label.
When is bake-off multigrain bread useful on holiday?
Bake-off multigrain bread is a good option if you can store it according to the packaging and use the required oven or air fryer at your holiday accommodation. PLUS says its wholemeal multigrain baguettes should be stored in a cool, dry and dark place; follow the preparation instructions for the bread you choose.
Which allergens should I check in multigrain bread?
Read the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings for your chosen loaf. Ingredients vary between products: PLUS lists wheat, rye, barley and oats in its bake-off wholemeal multigrain baguettes, and warns that they may contain milk, soya and sesame.