Who is this relevant for?

Fibre-conscious bread buyers

You want to find out whether a multigrain loaf is wholemeal for your afternoon coffee, and compare the fibre content per 100 g rather than judging by its colour or seeds.

Buyers looking for a smaller portion

You’re looking for a half loaf or a smaller loaf for a coffee break when a whole loaf might not get eaten. Even with a smaller size, it’s important to check whether that specific variety is wholemeal.

Buyers keeping an eye on salt and iodine

You want to compare the salt content per 100 g and find out whether baker’s salt has been used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory, so check the ingredients or ask about it when buying unpackaged bread.

What should you look for when choosing?

If fibre is your main reason for choosing a loaf, start by checking whether it is labelled wholemeal. Then compare the nutritional information and choose a size that suits how often you eat bread with your afternoon coffee.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Wholemeal status and fibre Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the name or legal description, read the ingredients and compare the fibre content per 100 g. I want to know not only whether several types of grain are used, but also whether the bread is genuinely wholemeal. This is the top priority for around 45% of consumers.
Portion size and occasion Check whether a half loaf or smaller loaf would suit you, and follow the product’s storage instructions. If bread only features at coffee time now and then, I don’t want to be left with a large amount. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this practical choice of portion size.
Salt, baker’s salt and allergens Compare the salt content per 100 g and read the ingredients and allergen information; check separately whether baker’s salt has been used. I want to be able to check which ingredients matter to us before buying. This label check is the main priority for around 22% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark bread or seeds mean it’s wholemeal

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but the name doesn’t confirm that all the flour used is wholemeal. The colour and visible seeds don’t tell you that either.

    Look for the wholemeal label on the product and check the ingredients list before comparing the fibre content per 100 g.

  • Assuming every loaf is made with baker’s salt

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell which salt has been used from the words ‘wholemeal’ or ‘multigrain’.

    For packaged bread, read the ingredients list. For unpackaged bread, ask the baker which salt has been used.

  • Looking at fibre alone

    Even loaves that are both wholemeal and multigrain can differ in their salt content and allergens. For example, the Korenlanders variety described by PLUS contains sesame and cereals containing gluten.

    As well as fibre, compare the salt content per 100 g and read the allergen information for the specific variety.

  • Choosing a whole loaf without a plan for the leftovers

    If you only have bread with your coffee occasionally, you may end up with some left over. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread as one of the foods that are often wasted.

    Consider whether a half loaf would better suit your needs, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.

Brands and shops to explore

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn explains the difference between wholemeal, brown and multigrain bread.

  • The explanation helps you avoid confusing colour or the term ‘multigrain’ with wholemeal.
  • Always check the specific product for its ingredients and allergens.

Jumbo

Jumbo provides the ingredients and nutritional information for a half-size Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen loaf.

  • For this variety, Jumbo lists 8,0 g of fibre and 0,98 g of salt per 100 g.
  • Don’t apply these figures to other sizes or varieties; check the current packaging.

Lidl

Lidl has separate product information for types of bread such as fine wholemeal bread.

  • The individual product names give you a starting point for distinguishing between types of bread.
  • Check the label on the variety you choose in store for its ingredients and nutritional values.

Aldi

Aldi offers both Boeren Volkoren Meergranen and a separate Extra Vezelrijk Volkorenbrood.

  • The two product names make it clear that extra-high-fibre wholemeal bread isn’t necessarily the same variety as wholemeal multigrain bread.
  • A claim about the extra-high-fibre bread doesn’t automatically apply to the multigrain bread.

Plus

Plus describes Korenlanders Donker Meergranen Rond 1/2 as a wholemeal multigrain loaf.

  • For this variety, Plus lists 6,8 g of fibre and 1,02 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The ingredients include cereals containing gluten and sesame; check the label on the current variety.

Dirk

At Dirk, you can look for multigrain bread as well as separate wholemeal or gluten-free alternatives.

  • The product names help you browse different types of bread more easily.
  • Check the information for the specific product to establish whether it is wholemeal and to find out its fibre content and allergens; don’t rely on the search results alone.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread is made with at least three types of grain; the term doesn’t tell you whether all the flour is wholemeal. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) says that bread can only be called wholemeal if all the flour used comes from whole grains. So check the name and ingredients of the bread you want to buy.

Does all Dutch bread contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory. For packaged bread, check the ingredients list. For unpackaged bread, ask the baker which salt has been used.

How do I compare the salt content of two loaves?

Compare the amount of salt per 100 g in the nutritional information for each specific variety. This gives you the same basis for comparing both loaves, even if the packaging or slices are different.

Is regular wholemeal multigrain bread gluten-free?

Don’t assume so. The wholemeal multigrain varieties described by Jumbo and Plus contain cereals with gluten. If gluten-free is essential to your choice, check the gluten-free label and allergen information on the specific packaging.

What size is best for the occasional coffee break?

A half loaf may be more practical if you won’t get through a whole one. Check which sizes are available for the wholemeal variety you want, and follow the product’s storage instructions.