If wholemeal ingredients and fibre are your priorities, choose multigrain bread that is explicitly labelled wholemeal. If you’re looking to switch from white bread, consider a variety made with both wholemeal flour and wheat flour. Compare the fibre content per 100 g, and check the salt, allergens and texture too.
Want to try bread with wholemeal ingredients for lunch, but find a dense wholemeal slice less appealing? Multigrain bread made with both wholemeal flour and wheat flour could be a good stepping stone. Check how much fibre your chosen variety contains per 100 g.
Look specifically for wholemeal multigrain bread and compare the fibre content per 100 g. According to the Voedingscentrum, the word ‘multigrain’ alone does not mean that a loaf is wholemeal.
Check the allergen information for the exact variety you’re choosing and compare salt levels on the same basis, for example per 100 g. Grains and seeds vary from one loaf to another, so a half loaf or a roll may not have the same ingredients as another variety.
First decide whether wholemeal ingredients and fibre matter most to you, or whether you’re mainly looking for an alternative to white bread. Then check the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific loaf.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal ingredients and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description and compare fibre per 100 g. | I want to choose wholemeal multigrain bread for lunch without relying on the name or colour. Wholemeal ingredients and fibre are the top priorities for around 42% of consumers. |
| Flavour and texture | Check whether the bread contains both wholemeal flour and wheat flour, and look out for nuts and seeds. | If I usually eat white bread, I’m looking for multigrain bread with a texture I’ll enjoy. For around 33% of consumers, finding an alternative they can stick with is the main concern. |
| Allergens and salt | Read the allergen information for your chosen variety and compare salt per 100 g. | If I have an allergy or am watching my salt intake, my lunch bread needs to suit my needs. Checking the label is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Bread can contain several types of grain without being entirely wholemeal. According to the Voedingscentrum, whether bread is wholemeal is what matters if that’s the quality you’re looking for in multigrain bread.
Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description and ingredients list, then compare the fibre content per 100 g.
Ingredients vary between varieties. Jumbo Stevig Meergranen, for example, lists sesame. If you have a relevant allergy, the allergen information matters more than the visible texture.
Check the current allergen information for every variety you choose, even if you’ve bought a different bread from the same product range before.
The Voedingscentrum points out that some fillings are high in salt, saturated fat or sugar. So your choice of bread doesn’t tell you everything about what’s in your lunch.
Check the nutritional information for the filling you actually use too.
Albert Heijn states that AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel contains iodised sea salt. That doesn’t tell you which salt is used in another multigrain bread.
If this matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for the specific variety.
AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel is an example of multigrain bread made with a combination of wholemeal flour and wheat flour.
Jumbo’s range includes Volkoren Meergranen Brood and Stevig Meergranen, a variety with nuts and seeds.
Lidl describes a Meergranenbrood made with ingredients including wheat, barley and buckwheat.
ALDI describes Boeren volkoren meergranen as a bread containing grains and seeds.
PLUS Korenlanders Volkoren meergranenbollen are rolls, rather than standard sliced bread.
Dirk lists both regular multigrain bread and varieties explicitly named as wholemeal multigrain.
No. ‘Multigrain’ means that several types of grain have been used, but it doesn’t prove that the bread is wholemeal. If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal multigrain bread, check the product description and ingredients list.
A variety made with both wholemeal flour and wheat flour could be a good stepping stone if you like its texture. Albert Heijn lists 31% wholemeal wheat flour and 30% wheat flour for AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel. If fibre matters to you too, compare the amount per 100 g.
Yes, if you have a relevant food allergy. Multigrain products can contain different grains, seeds and other ingredients. Read the allergen information for the exact variety you want to buy; don’t rely on the details for another bread in the same product range.
You can’t tell from the name. Albert Heijn lists iodised sea salt for AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel, but you’ll need to check the ingredients list for any other bread.
Follow the storage instructions for your chosen product. For its Korenlanders Volkoren meergranenbollen, PLUS recommends storing them in a cool, dry, dark place and says to freeze them on the day of purchase and use them within a month. Other breads may have different instructions.
