For a small table, choose only as much bread as you expect to use; half a loaf or individual rolls may be a better fit than a whole loaf. If you want to serve it warm just before your Italian meal, bake-at-home bread is an option if you have the time and oven space. Check separately whether the bread is wholemeal and which allergens it contains: the term ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you either of those things.
You want to serve bread with the meal without ending up with lots left over. Think about how many people are eating and whether you’ll use the rest the next day; half a loaf, individual rolls or bake-at-home bread could all work.
You want to use the leftover bread after your Italian meal and are keeping an eye on wholemeal content and fibre. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ refers to the types of grain used; check the wholemeal label, ingredients and nutritional information to find out what’s in the bread.
You’re serving bread to someone who needs to avoid certain ingredients. Check the allergen information for your chosen product before buying it; if the bread is sold loose, ask in the shop.
First decide how much you need and how you want to serve it. Then check the ingredients and any allergens in the bread you have in mind.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and leftovers | Check the weight and type of packaging; think about how much bread you’ll serve and what you’ll do with the rest. | If I only need a few slices, I don’t want to be left with most of a loaf unused. Around 36% of consumers put finding the right amount first. |
| Wholemeal content and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare fibre per 100 g across similar types of bread. | When I’m also buying bread for later meals, I want to know what it actually contains rather than judging by its dark colour. For around 29% of consumers, the ingredients are their main concern. |
| Type of bread and preparation | Choose between bread that’s ready to serve and bake-at-home bread; allow for preparation time and oven space if you’re baking it. | Warm bread is part of the meal for me, but I need to have the oven free just before serving. Around 21% of consumers put the way they serve bread first. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Read the label and any warnings; if the bread is sold loose, ask for allergen information before buying it. | If a guest needs to avoid certain allergens, I want to know what’s in the bread before I take it home. Around 14% of consumers give this check their highest priority. |
According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread is made with at least three types of grain. The colour and visible seeds don’t tell you whether it’s wholemeal.
If wholemeal matters to you, check the product description and ingredients list.
Bread can vary in weight and how it’s used. A pack that looks small may not contain the number of portions you want to serve.
Check the weight and decide in advance how much bread you need for the meal and afterwards.
The product name doesn’t give you the full picture of its ingredients. PLUS lists wheat, barley, spelt, soya and sesame among the ingredients in one of its multiseed breads; another bread may have a different recipe.
Read the latest information for the specific bread you’re considering. If it’s sold loose, ask about allergens before buying it.
Lists options including whole multigrain free-form loaves and sliced multigrain bread.
Has a dedicated multigrain bread category, with options including whole and half loaves.
Stocks fresh-from-the-oven bread and other types, including multigrain options.
Lists options including Boeren wholemeal multigrain bread and luxury multigrain free-form bread.
Lists multigrain and multiseed breads, including Korenlanders products.
Lists options including half multigrain loaves and bake-at-home multigrain baguettes.
This pack of four multigrain rolls is an option if you want to serve individual portions with your meal. Check the packaging to make sure the quantity, ingredients and any preparation requirements suit your plans.
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Four individual rolls could be just right for a smaller table. Check the pack weight, wholemeal labelling, allergen information and any preparation instructions if these matter to your choice.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain refers to bread made with at least three types of grain; it doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal. If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, check the product description and ingredients list.
Half a loaf could work if you’re serving only a few slices and don’t need much bread for later. Check the weight, too: half a loaf and a bake-at-home baguette aren’t necessarily the same amount.
Ask in the shop before buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information for non-prepacked foods must be available before purchase; for prepacked bread, you’ll find it on the label.
Bake-at-home bread needs time and oven space just before serving. Choose it if you want to serve it warm, and check the preparation instructions for the bread you buy.
