Looking for sliced multigrain bread for your everyday lunch? Don’t go by the name alone: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ does not automatically mean ‘wholemeal’. Check the wholemeal label and compare fibre and salt per 100 g across the breads you’re considering. Also check that the slice thickness, allergens and storage instructions suit your lunch routine.
You often have sandwiches for lunch and want to know whether a multigrain loaf is also labelled as wholemeal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre makes clear that the name ‘multigrain’ alone isn’t enough to tell you.
You want to be able to take sandwiches with you or store bread in portions. Check that the size, actual slice thickness and storage advice for the bread you choose suit your needs.
You want to know which grains and other allergens the bread contains before you buy it. Check the information for the specific product, even if you’ve bought a similar multigrain loaf before.
First decide whether you’re looking for a wholemeal loaf. Then compare the nutritional information for specific products and check how the bread is sliced and packaged.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Most relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label, read the ingredients list and compare fibre per 100 g. | If I often have bread for lunch, I want to know whether my choice is genuinely wholemeal. This is the main priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Slices and portions | Check the actual slice thickness and whether you’re buying a half or whole loaf; also read the storage advice. | I want slices that are easy to fill, without buying more bread than I’ll use. Around 33% of consumers give this lunchtime convenience and portion control the highest priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Before buying, read the current ingredients and allergen information for the loaf you’ve chosen. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I need to be able to decide whether this particular bread suits my needs. This is the most important consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
A loaf can contain several types of grain without being labelled as wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread can also be made with refined flour.
If it matters to you, look for the wholemeal label, then compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.
You can’t tell whether a dark loaf or one with seeds is wholemeal just by looking at it. A name that includes ‘sourdough’ also doesn’t tell you which types of flour have been used.
Use the product name as a starting point, but base your choice on the wholemeal label, ingredients list and nutritional information.
A label such as ‘fully sliced’ doesn’t tell you how thick each slice is. That can matter if you want to fill the bread and take it with you.
Check the slices on the packaging or in store before buying several loaves.
If the slices aren’t right for your lunch, you may find the bread less convenient to use up.
Multigrain breads can contain different gluten-containing grains and, depending on the recipe, other allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergen information must be available before purchase.
Check the current information for the bread you’re buying. For unpackaged bread, ask for the allergen information if it isn’t on display.
These brands give you a starting point for comparing types of bread, sizes and product information. Check the current packaging or product page for each individual loaf, especially if you’re looking for a particular slice thickness.
Worth considering if you want to compare sliced multigrain breads by their ingredients, nutritional values and storage advice.
Worth considering if you want to check the nutritional information and ingredients for a specific wholemeal multigrain loaf.
Worth considering if you’re looking at a half-size, sliced wholemeal multigrain loaf.
Worth considering if you want to compare a half-size multigrain loaf with other types of bread.
Worth considering if you buy freshly baked multigrain bread and want to check the ingredients and allergens.
Worth considering if you also want to include multigrain bake-at-home products or rolls in your comparison.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means that different types of grain are used, but the bread can also be made with refined flour. Look for the wholemeal label and read the ingredients list if you want to choose a wholemeal loaf.
Read the allergen information for the specific loaf before buying it. For unpackaged bread, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must be available in another way before purchase. Ask for it if you can’t find it.
It depends on the bread and the storage advice. For AH OerDesem donker meergranen heel gesneden, Albert Heijn says you can freeze it at home on the day you buy it. Follow the instructions on the current packaging for your loaf.
Check the ingredients list on the bread you’re buying. For example, Jumbo lists iodised salt in its Volkoren Donker Meergranen Brood; don’t assume that every multigrain loaf contains this ingredient.
