For a Mother’s Day breakfast or brunch, start by choosing a size that suits the number of people and the other dishes you’ll be serving. If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, don’t rely on the word ‘multigrain’ alone: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, it refers to the types of grain used, not whether the whole grain has been used. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you buy, too.
You want enough bread for Mother’s Day breakfast without being left with a whole loaf when there are other dishes on the table, too. A half loaf or bread rolls may be a better fit for the portions you have planned.
You want to see which grain ingredients have been used, so you compare the product name, ingredients and nutritional information, including fibre per 100 g.
You need to take any relevant guest allergies into account before serving. The word ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t tell you who a particular loaf is suitable for.
First, work out how much bread you need. Then compare the grains used and, for a shared brunch, check the preparation instructions and allergens for the product you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing the right amount | Check whether a whole loaf, half loaf or multipack suits the number of people and the other brunch dishes. | When there are already other dishes, I don’t want to buy more bread than we’re likely to eat. Getting the amount right is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | If you prefer wholemeal, look for the wholemeal label and check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g. | I want to know whether the bread is made with wholemeal grains, rather than relying on the word ‘multigrain’ alone. This is the main consideration for around 40% of consumers. |
| Serving and guests | For bake-at-home bread, read the preparation instructions and check the latest allergen information if you’re serving guests. | For a shared brunch, I want to know whether the bread will be ready in time and whether guests can eat it. This is the biggest consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but it can also be made with refined flour. The name alone therefore doesn’t confirm that the bread is wholemeal.
If you prefer wholemeal, look specifically for the wholemeal label and check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.
At a small brunch with several dishes, you could be left with some of a whole loaf.
Count the guests and other bread dishes, then choose between a whole loaf, a half loaf and individual rolls.
Ingredients and warnings vary from one loaf to another. Products from Albert Heijn and Jumbo list gluten-containing cereals, as well as other relevant allergens or the possibility of cross-contamination.
Ask guests in advance which allergens they need to avoid, and check the packaging before serving.
Bake-at-home products need preparation. For example, PLUS says its wholemeal multigrain baguettes need 8–10 minutes in an oven at 220 °C.
Read the instructions for your chosen variety before planning the brunch.
Remember to allow time for the oven to preheat, too.
Offers AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel as an example of a whole multigrain loaf.
Offers whole and half wholemeal multigrain loaves, as well as multigrain rolls to bake at home.
Offers Boeren volkoren meergranen as a whole loaf.
Offers a whole multigrain farmhouse loaf for sharing at the table.
Offers multigrain sourdough bread and wholemeal multigrain baguettes to bake at home.
Offers a multigrain loaf containing, among other ingredients, wheat, barley and buckwheat.
These baguettes, rolls and round loaf come in different portion sizes for brunch. Choose an amount to suit your group, and check the latest ingredients, allergen information and preparation instructions for the product you select.
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Four 135 g baguettes give you individual portions for brunch. Allow time to defrost and bake them, and check the packaging for the baking time. Read the latest allergen information, too, and check the ingredients if you’re looking for wholemeal bread.
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Four individual rolls are a handy portion option if you don’t want to serve a whole loaf. Before buying, check the latest allergen information and read the ingredients if wholemeal is important to you.
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You can slice this 550 g round loaf to share at brunch. Allow time to defrost, bake and cool it, and follow the instructions on the packaging. Check the allergen information and ingredients there, too, if you’re looking for wholemeal bread.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but it can also be made with refined flour. Look for the wholemeal label and check the ingredients of the specific loaf.
A half loaf may be a better fit for a small group or a brunch with several dishes. Work out how many people will be eating and whether you’ll use any leftover bread later.
Don’t assume it’s suitable based on the bread’s name. The Albert Heijn and Jumbo products reviewed list gluten-containing cereals and information about other allergens, including sesame. Ask what the guest needs to avoid and check the latest label on the bread you plan to serve.
Read the storage and preparation instructions for your chosen variety in advance. For example, PLUS says its wholemeal multigrain baguettes need 8–10 minutes in the oven at 220 °C; remember to allow time for the oven to preheat, too.
No, you’ll need to read the ingredients for the specific loaf. Albert Heijn lists reduced-sodium iodised sea salt in AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel; don’t assume other loaves have the same ingredients.
