Who is this choice relevant to?

Daily lunch planner

Looking for a reliable bread option for the nursery. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread for childcare; ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t tell you which it is.

Staff member preparing and serving sandwiches

Looking for a slice that’s easy to top in practice, while also considering the size of the finished pieces. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving toddlers and young children pieces of food that are too large.

Planner responsible for allergen policies

Compares the ingredients and allergens in the specific loaf with the arrangements in place for the children in the group. Allergens listed on the label, such as sesame, may be relevant as well as cereals containing gluten.

What should you look for when buying?

Start with the type of bread and your allergen policy; then choose a slice size that works for both preparing and serving the sandwiches.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Wholemeal or brown Read the product description and ingredients; if needed, compare the fibre content per 100 g. When choosing a reliable lunch staple, I want to know whether the bread is genuinely wholemeal or brown. Around 33% of consumers give this nutritional foundation top priority.
Allergens Compare the current ingredients, allergens and relevant ‘may contain’ statements with the nursery’s policies. For a group with individual allergen arrangements, I need to be able to assess the specific bread before serving it. This check comes first for around 27% of consumers.
Slice and portion size Check how thick and sturdy the slice really is, and whether you can cut the topped sandwich into suitable pieces. When preparing sandwiches, I want a manageable slice without giving young children pieces that are too large. Practical handling is the top priority for around 20% of consumers.
Reliable repeat purchases Check the product you’ve chosen in store and decide which alternative would meet the same bread and allergen requirements. For a regular lunch, I don’t want to have to choose a new type of bread every time the usual product is unavailable. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this kind of consistency when shopping.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’

    Multigrain bread may also contain white flour. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the name is no substitute for a wholemeal or brown label.

    Read the product description and ingredients before comparing the composition of two multigrain breads.

  • Serving a thick slice without cutting it up

    A slice that’s easy to top may still make for pieces that are too large for a young child once it’s made into a sandwich. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping food pieces small for toddlers and young children.

    Cut the sandwich into pieces that are suitable for the child, and supervise them while they eat.

  • Checking for gluten alone

    The label on multigrain bread may list other allergens too. For example, Albert Heijn lists sesame as well as cereals containing gluten in its AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen gesneden.

    Check the current packaging every time you buy it, including any relevant ‘may contain’ statements, against the individual arrangements.

  • Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt

    The bread category doesn’t tell you whether a specific product has been made with baker’s salt. Information listed for one loaf doesn’t automatically apply to another multigrain bread.

    Check the ingredients list for the product you’ve chosen if this matters for checking its composition.

Brands to compare

These product examples can help you compare types of bread and labels. For lunch, always check the packaging of the loaf you’re actually buying.

Albert Heijn

AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen gesneden is an example of packaged, sliced multigrain bread.

  • Albert Heijn lists the ingredients and allergens for this product, including cereals containing gluten and sesame.
  • The composition and slice thickness of this product don’t tell you anything about other multigrain breads from Albert Heijn.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s bread range includes Boeren Donker Meergranen, among other options.

  • Jumbo describes this variety as made with wholemeal wheat flour and sunflower seeds.
  • Check the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen for the full ingredients and allergen information.

Lidl

Lidl describes a multigrain bread baked in store as having a firm texture.

  • For freshly baked bread, Lidl directs customers to its ingredients and allergen information.
  • Check the actual slice and the current product information in store before choosing this bread for the nursery.

ALDI

ALDI describes Boeren volkoren meergranen as bread made with grains and seeds.

  • The product description also lists a sliced half-loaf as one of the available options.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and slice of the specific loaf before serving it to a group.

PLUS

PLUS describes PLUS Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel as a whole, wholemeal multigrain loaf.

  • For this product, PLUS lists 50% wholemeal wheat flour and 6,8 g of fibre per 100 g, as well as ingredients and allergen information.
  • The word ‘sliced’ doesn’t tell you how thick the individual slices are, so check them before buying.

Dirk

Dirk’s search results include multigrain bread and wholemeal multigrain bread, including varieties from Bakker van der Akker.

  • The whole and half-loaves listed come in different pack sizes that you can compare in store.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the loaf you’ve chosen; a search result is no substitute for the label.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread always wholemeal?

No. Multigrain bread doesn’t have to be wholemeal and may also contain white flour. For a nursery lunch, check the product description: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread for childcare.

Is thick-sliced bread better for young children?

A thick slice isn’t automatically better for every child. Check whether it’s easy to top, then cut the sandwich into pieces suited to the child’s age and chewing ability. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping food pieces small for toddlers and young children.

Which allergens should I check in multigrain bread?

Check all allergens that are relevant to the children in the group, not just cereals containing gluten. Read the current information for the specific product, including any ‘may contain’ statements, and check it against the nursery’s individual arrangements.

Does all multigrain bread contain iodine?

No. Don’t assume that multigrain bread contains added iodine based on its name. Check the ingredients list for the specific loaf to see whether it lists baker’s salt or iodised salt.