Buyers looking to reduce waste
If you buy bread for lunch regularly, you need a size that suits the number of people eating. Half a loaf may be more practical for a small group; for larger groups, compare how much bread is actually used.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Buyers looking for wholemeal bread and fibre
The Dutch Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread for young children. The term ‘multigrain’ does not in itself mean that a bread is wholemeal, so check the product description and compare the nutritional information for the exact varieties.
Those responsible for checking allergens
If you provide lunches for children with different dietary requirements, compare each child’s individual protocol with the current product information. Check the listed ingredients and allergens, as well as any warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.
What should you look for?
First decide what size of loaf the group will use. Then check whether the exact bread is wholemeal, and make sure every variety meets the allergen protocol.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Size and waste | Compare a half or whole loaf with the number of people eating; if you plan to freeze it, read the instructions for the product you choose. | For a small group, I don’t want to have bread left over that we can’t use. For around 42% of consumers, reducing waste is the most important consideration. |
| Wholemeal bread and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label on the exact bread and compare the fibre per 100 g, if that information is available. | When I choose bread for young children, I want to know whether multigrain also means wholemeal in this case. Around 33% of consumers put this nutritional choice first. |
| Allergens and protocols | Read the current ingredients, allergens and warnings on the packaging, and follow the setting’s arrangements. | For a child with a specific dietary protocol, I need to be sure the bread I choose is suitable. This is the main deciding factor for an estimated 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain means wholemeal
Multigrain bread is not automatically wholemeal. The Dutch Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread for young children, so this distinction matters when choosing lunch bread.
Check the description of the specific bread before comparing its nutritional information.
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Looking only at the number of loaves
A whole loaf is not necessarily a better choice for everyday use than half a loaf. If the group doesn’t finish it, some bread may be left over.
Choose a size that suits how much is used at each lunch, and check whether the product instructions allow you to freeze it.
A larger loaf also means you’ll need a plan for storing and using it later.
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Reading the label only once
Ingredients and warnings can vary between products. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of allergen information when making a choice before purchase.
Check every new pack and compare the information with the individual dietary protocol and the setting’s arrangements.
Brands to consider
These brands offer different loaf sizes and types of bread. Always assess the exact product: a brand name tells you nothing about whether every variety is wholemeal or what allergens it contains.
ALDI
ALDI lists Boeren volkoren meergranen as both a half and a whole loaf.
- Having two sizes makes it easier to choose a loaf that suits the group.
- Check the weight, ingredients and allergens on the label for the variety you choose.
Dirk / Bakker van der Akker
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen as a half loaf.
- The half-loaf size may suit a group that uses less bread at each lunch.
- Check whether this exact loaf is wholemeal, as well as its ingredients and allergens.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes Stevig Meergranen as a whole, wholemeal multigrain loaf with seeds and grains.
- Jumbo lists 8,6 g of fibre per 100 g for Stevig Meergranen.
- Check that the whole loaf suits how much you use, and read the allergen information: the product information lists wheat, barley, sesame and soya, among other ingredients.
PLUS / Korenlanders
PLUS sells a range of breads under the Korenlanders brand, including a whole, round multigrain loaf.
- According to PLUS, Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel can be frozen on the day of purchase.
- Follow the instructions for the variety you choose, and check the current ingredients and allergens.
Lidl
Lidl offers freshly baked bread and publishes an ingredients and allergens guide for its range.
- The guide can help you check whether a specific freshly baked bread meets the setting’s dietary requirements.
- Check which variety is available in your store and which information applies to it.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s multigrain range also includes Soezie All in budget meergranenbrood, a bread mix.
- A bread mix may be worth considering if baking from scratch fits the setting’s schedule.
- A bread mix isn’t ready-to-eat lunch bread, so allow time to prepare it and check the ingredients.
Multigrain products on Joybuy
These loaves and rolls come in different sizes to suit your lunch plans. Compare the pack with the number of people eating, and check whether the variety you choose is wholemeal, along with its preparation instructions and allergens, before serving.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round multigrain country bread, 2 × 550 g
Two loaves may suit a setting that plans to use the bread over several lunches. Allow time to defrost and bake, and check the packaging for wholemeal status and allergens.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij rustic multigrain baguettes, 4 × 135 g × 2
Individual baguettes can be handy if the whole group doesn’t need bread at the same time. This variety needs to be defrosted and baked, so check the packaging for wholemeal status and allergens.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round multigrain country bread, 550 g
A single 550 g loaf may suit a group that uses this size. Before baking, check the instructions on the packaging, along with the wholemeal status and allergens.
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g'woon multigrain rolls, 4 pieces
Four individual rolls may suit a lunch for a small group. Compare the portions using the pack weight, and check the label for wholemeal status and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. ‘Multigrain’ and ‘wholemeal’ don’t mean the same thing, so check whether the specific bread is labelled wholemeal. The Dutch Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread for young children.
What should you do if a child has a gluten-free protocol?
Don’t choose ordinary multigrain bread unless you’ve first confirmed that it meets the agreed protocol. Check the label and all relevant allergens on the current packaging, and follow the setting’s arrangements for storage and preparation.
Where can you find allergen information for bread?
For prepacked bread, allergen information appears on the label. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must also be available for unpackaged bread. Always check the information for the bread you’re actually choosing.
When is half a loaf more practical than a whole loaf?
Half a loaf may be more practical if the group won’t use a whole loaf in time. Think about how much bread is actually used at lunch; if you want to freeze it, follow the instructions for that specific variety.