Which option is right for you?

Picnickers with fussy eaters

If not everyone likes the distinctive texture of wholemeal bread, bread made with both white flour and wholemeal flour may be worth considering. Check the ingredients: multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal.

Shoppers prioritising wholemeal and fibre

Look for an explicit wholemeal label and compare the nutrition information per 100 g. That way, you can assess what the bread is made of rather than relying on its name or colour.

Organisers thinking about allergens and transport

Check the bread’s current allergen information and keep perishable fillings chilled during your picnic. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends clean hands and utensils when picnicking.

What should you look for in multigrain bread for a picnic?

First, decide what matters most to your group: an easy-to-enjoy texture, bread explicitly labelled as wholemeal, or something that’s easy and safe to transport. Then check the ingredients and the type of bread on the label.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Taste and texture Check whether both white flour and wholemeal flour are listed in the ingredients, and look for any stated proportions. If not everyone wants distinctly wholemeal bread, I look for a loaf that also contains white flour. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this more accessible texture.
Wholemeal and fibre Look for an explicit wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g of similar breads. I want to be sure the bread is wholemeal, so I use the nutrition information to help me choose. For around 36% of consumers, this is the most important consideration.
Preparation and transport Check whether the bread needs baking and plan to keep perishable fillings chilled. For a picnic, I want bread that I can portion out without preparing it in the park, while keeping the fillings chilled. For around 28% of consumers, practical transport is the priority.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming multigrain means wholemeal

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain refers to bread containing at least three types of grain. That doesn’t necessarily mean the bread is wholemeal.

    Look for an explicit wholemeal label and compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.

  • Judging by the colour, seeds or front of the pack

    These features don’t tell you how much wholemeal flour the bread contains. Ingredients and allergen information can also vary between products.

    Read the current ingredients list, allergen information and nutrition information on the packaging.

  • Taking perishable fillings without keeping them chilled

    For a picnic with filled sandwiches, it’s especially important to take care with perishable fillings. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping food chilled and throwing away perishable products that have been left out of the fridge for more than 2 hours.

    Pack perishable fillings in a cool bag with ice packs, and keep track of when they were taken out of the fridge.

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens

    Gluten-free multigrain bread may contain other allergens. For example, PLUS’s product information for Schär Meesterbakker Mehrkorn lists soya and warnings about other allergens.

    When choosing a particular bread, check both the ingredients and any warnings on the current packaging.

Brands with suitable bread options

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists products including AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel.

  • The product information lists 31% wholemeal wheat flour and 30% wheat flour: a clear example of bread made with both ingredients.
  • Albert Heijn states that this bread is only available in store, and that ingredients and allergen information may change. Check the packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo stocks a range of multigrain bread, including its own-brand products.

  • The product information for Jumbo Meergranen Heel lists wholemeal wheat flour as the first ingredient and 7,5 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Jumbo says this particular bread is no longer part of its online range. Don’t use the values given as information for another bread.

Lidl

Lidl includes multigrain bread in its freshly baked bread range.

  • Lidl provides an ingredients and allergen overview for breads in its freshly baked range.
  • The fresh range may vary between stores. Check the information for the bread you actually choose.

ALDI

ALDI lists products including Boeren volkoren meergranenbrood and meergranen stokbrood.

  • The product names help you distinguish between wholemeal bread and a baguette for a different way of serving.
  • Check the packaging of your chosen bread for the full ingredients and allergen information.

PLUS

PLUS offers both fresh multigrain bread and part-baked options, including PLUS Baguettes volkoren meergranen.

  • The product information for these baguettes lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour and 7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The baguettes need to be baked before serving. Plan to do this at home before you leave for the park.

Dirk

Dirk lists products including a multigrain floor loaf and bread from Bakker van der Akker.

  • Dirk describes the floor loaf as hearty and packed with grains and seeds. This is worth bearing in mind when choosing fillings and portion sizes.
  • A hearty texture doesn’t prove that the bread is wholemeal. Check the label and ingredients of the product you choose.

Multigrain rolls for your picnic at Joybuy

These four multigrain rolls are a handy option to take along and share out. If you’re specifically looking for bread made with both white flour and wholemeal flour, first check that both ingredients are listed on the current packaging.

g'woon multigrain rolls, 4 rolls

g'woon multigrain rolls, 4 rolls

Four rolls for sharing out into individual portions at your picnic.

If you’re looking for a mix of white flour and wholemeal flour, check the current ingredients list. Check the packaging for allergen information too, including sesame.

Only compare fibre values with other breads if the nutrition information gives the amount per 100 g.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions about multigrain bread

Is all multigrain bread wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but the name doesn’t mean it’s wholemeal. Look for an explicit wholemeal label and read the ingredients list.

When is a mix of white flour and wholemeal flour a good choice for a picnic?

A mix like this may be an option if fussy eaters don’t want distinctly wholemeal bread. Be sure to check the listed ingredients and compare the fibre per 100 g. Don’t automatically treat it as equivalent to bread explicitly labelled as wholemeal.

Does all multigrain bread contain iodine?

You can’t tell from the name multigrain. Check the current ingredients list for terms such as baker’s salt or iodised salt, rather than assuming that all bread contains the same type of salt.

How can I take bread with perishable fillings to the park?

Keep perishable fillings chilled in a cool bag with ice packs. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises throwing away perishable products that have been left out of the fridge for more than 2 hours.

Is gluten-free multigrain bread also free from other allergens?

No. A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you anything about other allergens. Read the ingredients and warnings for the specific bread: PLUS’s product information for Schär Meesterbakker Mehrkorn lists soya and the possible presence of lupin, mustard and sesame.