If you want to share bread
If the bread will take centre stage alongside fillings or dips, a whole sourdough loaf or baguette could work well. Think about whether you want to slice it at the picnic or bring it ready-portioned.
Which shape works best for you?
If you’re looking for a wholemeal base
Check the product name rather than relying on the word ‘multigrain’ alone. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, while multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain.
If you’re bringing fillings that need chilling
If you’re taking cheese, cold meats, egg mayonnaise or other fillings that need to stay chilled, make sure a cool bag is part of your preparations. The Voedingscentrum recommends using a cool bag to keep chilled products cool during a picnic.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide what matters most for your picnic: presentation, wholemeal bread, ease of serving or keeping chilled fillings cool. Then compare the shape and label of individual loaves.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Bread style and presentation | Look at the shape of the bread and check whether any sourdough, grains or seeds mentioned are reflected in the product information. | If the bread is going on the picnic blanket alongside dips and fillings, I want a shape that invites people to share. For around 36% of consumers, taste and presentation would be the top priority. |
| Wholemeal base and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and, if fibre matters to you, compare the nutritional information per 100 g. The Voedingscentrum distinguishes wholemeal bread from bread made with several types of grain. | I want to know whether the bread is wholemeal, rather than assume it is from the word ‘multigrain’. For around 29% of consumers, this would be the first thing to check. |
| Transport and portions | Check whether the bread is whole, pre-sliced or needs baking, and think about whether you’ll need a knife. | If I want to hand out food quickly in the park, I don’t want to have to slice a whole loaf there. Ease of serving and carrying would be the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens and chilled fillings | Read the current label for ingredients and allergens. Pack fillings that need to stay chilled in a cool bag, as recommended by the Voedingscentrum. | If someone needs to avoid certain allergens, or I’m bringing chilled fillings, I want to be able to sort that out before setting off. For around 14% of consumers, this would be the top priority. |
Common choices that can be less practical
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’
According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain means the bread contains at least three types of grain, while wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. The terms therefore tell you different things about the ingredients.
If wholemeal is what you’re looking for, check for that label first, then read the ingredients and nutritional information for the bread you’ve chosen.
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Choosing bread based on its appearance alone
A whole loaf or baguette can work well for a meal to share, but you may need a knife, time to prepare it or extra space to carry it. Pre-sliced farmhouse bread and individual rolls call for a different approach when serving.
Before you buy, decide whether you want to slice or bake the bread at home, or whether you’d rather hand out ready-to-eat portions.
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Leaving chilled fillings until the last minute
Choosing the bread doesn’t take care of transporting chilled toppings. The Voedingscentrum recommends using a cool bag for products that need to stay chilled.
Take these ingredients out of the fridge shortly before you leave and keep them chilled during the picnic.
Relevant brands and bread ranges
Albert Heijn
AH Biologisch OerDesem meergranen heel is a whole sourdough loaf for anyone who wants to consider the character and presentation of the bread.
- Albert Heijn describes this loaf as having natural sourdough, sprouted rye grains, spelt flakes and a 56-hour proving process.
- Albert Heijn lists the bread as available in store only; check the current label and availability at your local branch.
Jumbo
Jumbo Meergranen Heel is an example of a whole multigrain loaf from this supermarket chain.
- The product information lists ingredients and allergens, including several gluten-containing grains, soya and sesame.
- Jumbo no longer lists this specific product in its online range. Check which loaves are available in your store before you buy.
Lidl
Lidl lists a rustic multigrain sourdough loaf with kernels and seeds as an in-store bread.
- The sourdough and loaf shape make it a relevant option if you want to serve a whole loaf.
- According to Lidl, its fresh range varies by branch. Check the information provided with your chosen loaf for ingredients and allergens.
ALDI
ALDI lists products including Luxe vloerbrood meergranen and Boeren volkoren meergranen.
- According to ALDI, the Luxe vloerbrood with grains and seeds is pre-sliced, making it easier to hand out.
- Check the packaging of your chosen variety for the full ingredients list and allergen information.
PLUS
The Korenlanders range includes both a whole dark multigrain loaf and a brown multigrain baguette.
- PLUS lists 50% wholemeal wheat flour for the dark loaf; the baguette’s ingredients include 11% wheat sourdough.
- Compare the two shapes and their individual ingredients lists: a whole loaf and a baguette won’t necessarily serve the same purpose.
Dirk
Dirk lists a half-sized multigrain loaf from Bakker van der Akker and a rustic multigrain bake-at-home baguette.
- The 440 g bake-at-home baguette is an option if you want to bake it at home before setting off.
- Check the packaging for the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions for the variety you choose.
Multigrain bread and rolls at Joybuy
These options suit three ways of serving bread at a picnic: sharing baguettes, handing out individual rolls or slicing a round loaf yourself. For products that need to be prepared before you leave, check the instructions on the packaging too.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g
The pack of four baguettes is a good option if you want to bring individual loaves and share them with fillings or dips.
Allow time to defrost, bake and cool them before setting off. If the baking time or types of grain matter to you, check the current packaging.
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g'woon Multigrain Rolls, 4 stuks
Four individual rolls are ideal if you want to hand out portions at your picnic without having to slice a whole loaf there.
Check the packaging to see whether the rolls need any further preparation, and if you have allergies, read the current ingredients and warnings.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g
This 550 g round loaf is a good choice if you want to decide when and how to slice it yourself.
Allow time to defrost, bake and cool it before setting off, and bring a knife if you want to slice it in the park. If the precise grain base or allergens matter to you, check the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, while wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. If wholemeal is one of your buying criteria, look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and check the ingredients to see what’s in the specific loaf.
How can I check whether bread contains iodised salt?
Read the ingredients on the current packaging. Albert Heijn lists ‘gejodeerd zout’ (iodised salt) for AH Biologisch OerDesem meergranen heel; don’t assume the same applies to every multigrain loaf.
How should I take chilled fillings to the park?
Pack fillings that need to stay chilled in a cool bag. The Voedingscentrum recommends taking chilled products out of the fridge shortly before you leave; it’s best to fill the bread just before you eat.
Which allergens should I check in multigrain bread?
Check the ingredients list on your chosen loaf for any allergens that are relevant to those eating it, including possible gluten-containing grains and sesame. Also read any cross-contamination warnings on the current packaging, as ingredients vary between products.
Can I buy the bread before the picnic?
Yes, as long as you follow the storage instructions for the bread you choose. For opened wholemeal bread, the Voedingscentrum recommends keeping it for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard or 1–3 months in the freezer. PLUS recommends freezing its Korenlanders Donker meergranenbrood on the day of purchase and using it within one month.