People working from home who want to use up their bread
If you only eat a few slices at a time at home, a half loaf or a loaf you freeze in portions may fit your lunch routine better.
Who are these options for?
Shoppers looking to identify wholemeal bread
Rather than relying on the word ‘multigrain’, you want to check whether the bread is labelled as wholemeal and what’s on the ingredients list.
Label readers with specific ingredient requirements
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific loaf. The grains, seeds and other ingredients vary from product to product.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how much bread you use and whether you want to freeze it. Then check the wholemeal labelling, nutritional information and ingredients for the product you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check | Especially relevant if |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and waste | Half or whole loaf; weight and freezing instructions. | I only eat a few slices at lunch, so I don’t want to be left with too much bread. For around 36% of consumers, getting the right amount would be their main concern. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Wholemeal labelling, ingredients and fibre per 100 g. | I want to know whether my lunch bread is genuinely wholemeal, rather than relying on the word ‘multigrain’. Around 29% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Storage and preparation | Storage advice and whether the bread is ready to eat or needs baking. | When my lunch break is short, I want to know whether I need to defrost or bake anything in advance. For around 21% of consumers, this would be their main consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Ingredients list and allergen information for the specific product. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I need to be able to check the label on this loaf. Around 14% of consumers would put checking the ingredients first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ tells you how many types of grain are used; it does not automatically mean the bread is wholemeal.
Look for wholemeal labelling and check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g for the bread you want to buy.
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Choosing a whole loaf without a storage plan
A larger loaf may not suit you if you only need bread for a few lunches and can’t use it up in time or store it as directed on the packaging.
Choose an amount that suits your lunch routine and check the freezing advice for the specific loaf.
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Guessing the ingredients from the name of the bread
The name doesn’t tell you which grains, seeds or allergens a particular product contains. Nor does it tell you whether it contains iodised baker’s salt.
Before buying, read the latest ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging.
Brands and shops to explore
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn groups multigrain and corn bread together in one online category.
- AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel and AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen gesneden are different products.
- Check the type of bread, ingredients and quantity for each product; corn bread in the same category is not automatically multigrain bread.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers multigrain bread in half and whole loaves, including products labelled as wholemeal.
- Jumbo describes Stevig Meergranen as a whole wholemeal multigrain loaf and lists 8,6 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Check the size and nutritional information for each product; the description of one loaf does not apply to the entire range.
Lidl
Lidl has an in-store bakery range that includes multigrain bread.
- You can see the bread and available options when you visit a shop.
- Lidl says its fresh range may vary by store.
ALDI
ALDI offers a half loaf of Boeren volkoren meergranen.
- A half loaf is a practical option if you don’t use much bread at a time.
- Check the quantity and ingredients on the packaging you choose.
PLUS
PLUS stocks Korenlanders multigrain bread and other types of bread.
- PLUS lists 6,8 g of fibre and 1,02 g of salt per 100 g for Korenlanders donker meergranen.
- The freezing advice applies to this specific product: PLUS says you can freeze this loaf on the day you buy it and should use it within one month.
Dirk
Dirk offers Bakker van der Akker Bakkers multigrain bread in half and whole loaves.
- Having two sizes to choose from makes it easier to find an amount that suits your lunch routine.
- Check the nutritional information for the product you choose if you want to compare fibre per 100 g.
Multigrain products for your lunch
This Joybuy selection includes a round loaf, rolls, a pack of two round loaves and baguettes. Choose based on the type of lunch you want and the preparation that fits into your break. If wholemeal bread or specific ingredients matter to you, check the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g
A round loaf for several lunches, if you have time to defrost and bake it before use.
Weight: 550 g. Check the ingredients and wholemeal labelling on the packaging.
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g'woon Multigrain Rolls, 4 pcs
Rolls for anyone who prefers individual lunch portions to slicing a whole loaf.
The product name lists four rolls. Check the ingredients, allergens and wholemeal labelling on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 2 × 550 g
Two round loaves for anyone planning several lunches ahead and with space to store bread.
The product name lists two loaves of 550 g each. Allow time to defrost and bake the bread before use, and check the ingredients on the packaging too.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g × 2 as stated in the product name
Multigrain baguettes for a lunch when you can use an oven and plan time for baking.
Check the quantity and net weight before buying: the pack sizes listed are unclear. Also check the ingredients and wholemeal labelling on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread is made from at least three types of grain, but the name doesn’t mean it is wholemeal. Check the wholemeal labelling and ingredients for the specific loaf.
How can I tell whether bread contains iodised baker’s salt?
For packaged bread, check the ingredients list. According to Brood.net, any baker’s salt used is listed there; the name of the bread alone won’t tell you.
How should I store a whole loaf for several working-from-home lunches?
Follow the storage advice for the bread you buy. For Korenlanders donker meergranen, PLUS says you can freeze it on the day you buy it and should use it within one month. Dividing it into portions in advance can be handy if you don’t eat the same amount of bread every day.