If you’re mainly looking for a wholemeal base for a late-night snack, choose bread that is explicitly labelled as wholemeal multigrain bread. Brown multigrain bread may contain both wholemeal flour and white flour, while taste, texture and portion size may matter more with white multigrain bread or bake-at-home rolls. The name ‘multigrain’, a dark colour and visible seeds don’t, on their own, tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal.
If wholemeal flour and fibre are your priorities, start by checking the bread’s description and comparing the nutritional information per 100 g. Bear in mind that seeds, kernels or coarse grains may not suit everyone’s taste.
If you’d prefer a milder bread for a late-night snack, check for kernels, seeds and coarse grains as well as whether it’s labelled white or brown. Even white multigrain bread may contain these ingredients.
Half loaves, individual slices or small bake-at-home portions may be more practical if you don’t eat bread every day. The Voedingscentrum recommends freezing bread in portions straight after buying it if you want to use it later.
A good fit if: you’re specifically looking for a wholemeal base and the bread’s description confirms it.
Consider: kernels, seeds and a denser texture may be less appealing if you’re a fussy eater; this varies from loaf to loaf.
A good fit if: you want brown bread but don’t require it to be entirely wholemeal.
Consider: brown doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal. For example, Albert Heijn’s multigrain version contains both wholemeal wheat flour and white wheat flour.
A good fit if: you care more about the texture or a small, warm portion than having a wholemeal base.
Consider: white multigrain bread may still contain kernels and seeds; bake-at-home rolls also need to be prepared.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal base and fibre | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’, read the ingredients and compare fibre per 100 g across the breads you’re considering. | If I want a late-night snack with a wholemeal base, I don’t rely on the colour or seeds alone. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this wholemeal option. |
| Taste and texture | Check the bread description and ingredients for kernels, seeds, sourdough and coarse grains. | Bread with lots of noticeable kernels isn’t for everyone looking for something to eat in the evening. For around 29% of consumers, their preferred taste or texture is the deciding factor. |
| Portions and storage | Compare whole loaves, half loaves, sliced bread and bake-at-home options; check the preparation instructions for bake-at-home products and freeze bread in portions if needed. | If I only eat bread late at night occasionally, I want to be able to take what I need without leaving a whole loaf open. This practical consideration is the priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current label for allergens, salt and, if relevant to you, baker’s salt or iodised salt. | If certain ingredients affect my choice, I need to be able to check what each loaf contains. Around 14% of consumers give this ingredient check top priority. |
According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ means that different types of grain are used; it doesn’t tell you whether the bread is entirely wholemeal.
If you prefer wholemeal bread, look for an explicit wholemeal description and then check the ingredients list.
Ingredients vary by product: for example, varieties from Jumbo and Albert Heijn list different grains, kernels and seeds. So a loaf you’ve bought before isn’t a reliable guide to another one.
If you have an allergy or intolerance, always check the current allergen information for the specific product.
The word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you which salt has been used in the bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes baker’s salt as a possible source of iodine in bread.
Check the ingredients list for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’ if this distinction matters to you.
If you only have a slice now and then, the rest of the loaf may not be as enjoyable to eat by the time you get round to it.
Choose a suitable portion or, following the Voedingscentrum’s advice, freeze bread in portions straight after buying it. Don’t eat mouldy bread.
Albert Heijn offers sliced brown multigrain bread, making it easy to grab a slice straight away.
Jumbo’s Stevig Meergranen is described as a whole wholemeal multigrain loaf with kernels and seeds.
PLUS offers both wholemeal multigrain bread and small multigrain triangles to bake at home.
ALDI offers, among other options, a half loaf of farmhouse wholemeal multigrain bread.
Lidl offers both a small dark multigrain loaf and a white multigrain sourdough loaf.
Dirk offers various types of multigrain bread, including wholemeal multikorn and smaller loaves.
For a late-night snack with individual rolls, you could take a look at this pack of four multigrain rolls. Check the bread description and ingredients if a wholemeal base or a particular texture is important to you.
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A pack of four individual rolls for anyone who’d rather have rolls than slices for a late-night snack.
Check the bread description, ingredients and allergens on the current packaging if they affect your choice.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread is made from at least three types of grain, but that doesn’t tell you whether it’s made with white flour, flour or wholemeal flour. Look for the explicit ‘wholemeal’ description if you want wholemeal multigrain bread.
Read the ingredients list for the specific loaf and look for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’. Don’t infer whether it’s used from the bread’s colour or the name ‘multigrain’.
Yes. If you need to avoid certain ingredients, check the information for the specific product in both cases. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the mandatory allergen labelling for pre-packed foods; ask for the available allergen information when buying loose bread.
Following the Voedingscentrum’s advice, freeze it in portions straight after buying it and take out what you need. Also follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the bread you buy.
