If you want to be sure you’re choosing wholemeal bread for King's Day, look for ‘wholemeal’ in the bread’s name and check the label. ‘Multigrain’, a dark colour and seeds don’t prove that it’s wholemeal. A lighter option may suit fussy eaters better, while rolls or baguettes are handy for sharing. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain and wholemeal bread aren’t automatically interchangeable nutritional choices.
A lighter multigrain bread may be a better fit if you prefer a soft crumb. Check whether the bread is made with white or wholemeal flour: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ on its own doesn’t mean that a bread is wholemeal.
For breakfast or lunch, look for ‘wholemeal’ in the name first. Then check the ingredients and nutritional information for that specific bread, rather than relying on its colour or the seeds on top.
A whole loaf, rolls or baguettes suit different ways of serving. If you have bread left over, you can freeze portions; follow the storage advice on the packaging for your chosen product.
First decide whether a wholemeal base, an easy-to-enjoy flavour or a shareable format matters most for your King's Day spread. Then check the ingredients, allergens and any preparation instructions for the exact bread you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal base and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the bread’s name and compare the fibre content per 100 g in the nutritional information. | If I want a wholemeal option for everyday breakfasts, I don’t let the dark colour decide. For around 36% of consumers, choosing wholemeal comes first. |
| Flavour and texture | Check the type of bread and whether seeds are listed in the ingredients; a smaller size can help if you’re not sure about the flavour. | For a fussy eater, I want to choose a bread that suits their preference for a lighter crumb. Around 29% of consumers give flavour appeal their highest priority. |
| A format for sharing | Compare whole and half loaves with rolls or baguettes; if you’re buying bake-at-home bread, read the oven instructions. | For breakfast or drinks with a group, I want bread that’s easy to share without having too much left over. Around 21% of consumers put a shareable format first. |
| Allergens and labelling | Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the exact product. | If an ingredient needs to be avoided, I don’t want to rely on the name of a type of bread. For around 14% of consumers, checking ingredients and allergens comes first. |
Multigrain bread can be made mostly with white flour. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the name alone doesn’t confirm that it has a wholemeal base.
If you want wholemeal bread, look for ‘wholemeal’ in the name, then read the ingredients and nutritional information.
A dark crumb or a layer of seeds doesn’t tell you which flour was used to make the bread.
Think of colour and toppings as features of the bread, not a substitute for the wholemeal name and label.
Bread can be left over after a shared meal, and its quality may change while it’s being stored.
Choose a size that suits the number of people you expect, or freeze portions in good time. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also advises checking the condition of bread when storing it.
A category or bread name doesn’t give you the full picture of the ingredients in the bread you’re buying. Albert Heijn also points out that product information can change.
Carefully read the current packaging if you need to avoid certain ingredients; don’t rely on the general description ‘multigrain’.
Albert Heijn offers products including multigrain hearth bread and explains the difference between multigrain and wholemeal.
Jumbo lists a Wholemeal Multigrain Bread, as well as other multigrain and multiseed breads.
Lidl describes a multigrain bread containing ingredients including wheat, barley, buckwheat and seeds.
ALDI’s fresh daily range includes multigrain hearth bread and farmhouse wholemeal multigrain bread, as well as multigrain baguettes.
PLUS lists products including Korenlanders Desem Meergranen Boekweit in its multigrain category.
Dirk lists both Bakker van der Akker multigrain bread and a separate Multikorn wholemeal variety.
These loaves, baguettes and rolls come in different formats for sharing at a King's Day spread. Choose the shape and quantity that suit you, and check the current packaging if a wholemeal base or particular ingredients matter.
Image unavailable
These round loaves are ideal for slicing and sharing at the table. The product name lists two 550 g loaves; factor in thawing and baking when planning your meal. Check the packaging if you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread or need to avoid certain ingredients.
Image unavailable
The baguette shape is a good fit for bread you want to slice and share. The product name lists 4 x 135 g x 2, but the product information also mentions four pieces, so check the quantity on the packaging. Allow time for thawing and baking, and check the label if wholemeal bread or particular ingredients matter to you.
Image unavailable
Four individual 135 g baguettes give you a handy size to share between several people. Allow time for thawing and baking. Check the packaging for the current ingredients and to see whether the bread suits your preference for wholemeal.
Image unavailable
You can slice this 550 g round loaf into portions for sharing at a meal. It needs to be thawed and baked before serving. Check the current bread name and ingredients if you’re looking for a wholemeal base or a specific composition.
Image unavailable
Four individual rolls are a handy portion size for a shared breakfast or lunch. Check the packaging for the use-by date, ingredients and any wholemeal description; when it comes to allergens, don’t rely on ‘multigrain’ alone.
No, multigrain bread isn’t automatically wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread can be made with white flour. If you want wholemeal, look specifically for ‘wholemeal’ in the bread’s name and check the label.
No, the colour or a layer of seeds doesn’t confirm that a bread is wholemeal. Check the name and ingredients of the specific bread rather than judging by its appearance alone.
If you’re not going to eat the bread soon, it’s best to freeze it in portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer as a guideline for wholemeal bread. Also follow the date and storage advice on your bread’s packaging.
Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the exact bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority notes that allergens which must be declared should be identifiable on the label. The word ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t tell you which grains or other ingredients the product contains.
