If you want a small snack straight away
You want something to eat late in the evening without opening a whole loaf. A half loaf or an individual bread roll may be a better match for the amount you need now.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you’re keeping an eye on your food budget
You don’t want to buy more bread than you can use. So, as well as looking at the pack size, check the weight and think about what will be left after your snack.
If you want to check the label
You want to know which ingredients and allergens are in the product you’ve chosen, whether fibre and salt are listed in the nutritional information, and whether it mentions baker’s salt or iodised salt.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide how much bread you need and whether you want to eat it straight away. Then compare the packaging and labels of products that suit the way you plan to use them.
| What to consider | What to check | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Budget for one snack | Compare the weight and number of items in each pack with what you’ll actually use. | If I’m having bread once tonight, I want to stay within my food budget without buying more than I need. Around 42% of consumers put this budget consideration first. |
| Portion size and leftovers | Check whether an individual bread roll, half loaf or pack of individually portioned items suits the number of people eating; also check whether preparation is needed. | For a small late-night snack, I don’t want to be left with bread I can’t use in time. Around 33% of consumers prioritise avoiding leftovers. |
| Label and ingredients | Read the ingredients and allergen information; compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and look for baker’s salt or iodised salt if needed. | If an ingredient or allergen matters to me, I want to check the exact packaging rather than rely on the name ‘multigrain’. Checking the label is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ tells you everything about the ingredients
The name doesn’t tell you which grains, seeds or allergens are in the specific product. The ingredients can also differ between rolls and whole loaves.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you’re buying, especially if you need to avoid certain ingredients.
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Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt when baking bread is not compulsory in the Netherlands. So the bread’s name alone won’t tell you which salt has been used.
Check the label for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’ if that matters to your choice.
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Buying part-baked bread when you want to eat straight away
Part-baked bread needs to be prepared according to the instructions. For example, according to the product information, PLUS multigrain triangles need to be cooked in an oven or air fryer.
Choose a ready-to-eat product if you don’t have the time or equipment to finish baking the bread.
Part-baked bread takes time to prepare and requires an appliance.
A guide to the brands
The supermarkets mentioned offer bread in a range of formats. Always compare the exact product: an individual roll, half loaf and part-baked bread don’t serve the same purpose for a late-night snack.
ALDI
ALDI lists farmhouse wholemeal multigrain bread in half and whole loaves.
- A half loaf suits anyone who wants to make a sandwich straight away without needing a whole loaf.
- Check the weight and label of the product you choose before comparing it with another loaf.
Dirk
Dirk lists fresh half loaves of multigrain bread, as well as a 440 g part-baked multigrain baguette.
- You can choose between bread that’s ready to eat and bread that needs preparing.
- The half loaf and part-baked baguette differ in shape, weight and when they’re best used.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists both half loaves of farmhouse dark wholemeal multigrain bread and whole loaves of Stevig Meergranen with seeds.
- The product information for Stevig Meergranen includes fibre and salt, so you can check these details for this particular product.
- The ingredients and nutritional values for Stevig Meergranen don’t automatically apply to the half loaf.
PLUS
PLUS lists individual multigrain triangles, as well as triangles that need to be baked.
- An individual bread roll gives you a different portion size from a whole loaf; nutritional information is also available for some specific products.
- When choosing triangles, check whether you’ve picked the ready-to-eat or part-baked version.
Lidl
Lidl lists a 400 g half loaf of dark multigrain bread, available in store.
- The stated weight helps you choose a pack size that matches the amount you need.
- Check the label on the loaf you actually pick up in store.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists a range of products, including a multigrain triangle, a half loaf of multigrain floor-baked bread and Liefde & Passie Meergranen.
- The range of bread shapes lets you choose between an individual roll and a larger loaf.
- Compare the ingredients and pack size of each product rather than treating them as interchangeable.
Multigrain products on Joybuy
These products include 180 g packs of multigrain triangles and four multigrain baguettes weighing 135 g each. Check whether the triangles need preparing; the baguettes need to be defrosted and baked.
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g'woon Multigrain Triangles 180 g
The 180 g pack is worth considering if you don’t need a whole loaf for a late-night snack.
Check how many triangles are in the pack and whether they need cooking. For this product, read the label carefully if milk or soya is relevant to you.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette 4 × 135 g
The four individual baguettes are suited to a snack you can plan and bake, rather than eating straight away without preparation.
This frozen part-baked product needs to be defrosted and cooked in the oven. Follow the instructions on the pack for the baking time.
Frequently asked questions
Does every multigrain loaf in the Netherlands contain baker’s salt?
No, bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt. The Voedingscentrum recommends checking the label to see whether baker’s salt has been used; also look for ‘iodised salt’ if that matters to your choice.
When is an individual multigrain roll a good choice for a late-night snack?
An individual roll can be a good choice if you want one portion without opening a whole loaf. Just check that it’s ready to eat, and read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product.
When should I choose part-baked multigrain bread instead of fresh bread?
Choose part-baked bread if you have the time and a suitable appliance to prepare it before eating. According to the product information, PLUS part-baked multigrain triangles need 6 to 8 minutes in the oven or 4 minutes in a preheated air fryer; always follow the instructions for the product you buy.