For a picnic with generously filled sandwiches, choose multigrain bread where the packaging or product information confirms that the slices are thick; words such as ‘hearty’ don’t tell you how thick they are. Check separately whether the bread is wholemeal, and read the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you choose. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means that the bread is made from at least three types of grain, not that it is automatically wholemeal.
If you want to fill your sandwiches generously, check the actual slice thickness rather than relying on the name of the bread. If you’re buying a whole loaf, you can ask whether it can be sliced to your preferred thickness.
A mix of grains doesn’t automatically tell you whether bread is wholemeal. Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and, if you wish, compare the fibre content per 100 g in the nutritional information.
For you, the ingredients and allergens in the specific variety are what matter most. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be listed on the label of packaged foods, and that this information must be available before purchase for unpackaged foods.
First decide whether slice thickness, wholemeal status or ingredients matter most for your picnic. Check that feature on the bread you actually plan to take with you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Thick slices | Look for an explicit ‘thickly sliced’ label or a slice thickness given in millimetres. If you’re buying a whole loaf, ask what slice thickness is available. | If I’m adding generous fillings, I want to know in advance how thick the slices are so I can plan my sandwiches accordingly. For around 42% of consumers, this certainty matters most. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check for the ‘wholemeal’ label and, if necessary, compare the fibre content per 100 g. | If I’m mainly looking for wholemeal bread, the word ‘multigrain’ on its own isn’t enough. Around 33% of consumers give this priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest allergen information, and check for an explicit gluten-free label if you need one. | If I have an allergy or dietary requirement, I want to know which ingredients and warnings apply to this bread before buying it. Around 25% of consumers put this check first. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ refers to bread made from at least three types of grain. The word doesn’t confirm that the bread is wholemeal.
If wholemeal is important to you, look for the explicit label and check the ingredients of the variety you’ve chosen.
A description of the texture or a whole artisan loaf doesn’t tell you how thick the slices will be. That matters if you want to fill your sandwiches generously.
Check the stated slice thickness or look at the slices before buying. If you’re buying a whole loaf, ask about slicing options.
Multigrain breads can contain a range of grains and other ingredients. Other allergens may also be relevant, even in bread labelled gluten-free.
Always check the latest label. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask for the allergen information before you buy.
The Dutch Government lists bread with added iodine as one possible source of iodine. That doesn’t mean that iodised salt is a standard feature of every multigrain loaf.
If you want to know whether your chosen variety contains iodised salt, check the ingredients information for that bread.
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen gesneden.
Jumbo’s multigrain range includes products such as Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen and Stevig Meergranen.
Lidl describes a multigrain bread containing ingredients including wheat, barley, buckwheat and seeds.
Aldi’s bread range includes products such as Boeren volkoren meergranen and Luxe vloerbrood meergranen.
Plus lists products including PLUS Korenlanders Desem Meergranen Boekweit and Brood van Soma Haverkorn meergranenbrood.
Dirk lists products including whole and half multigrain loaves, artisan multigrain bread and multigrain rolls.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread is made from at least three types of grain, but it can also be made with refined flour. Look for the explicit ‘wholemeal’ label if this matters to you.
Look for an explicit ‘thickly sliced’ label or a slice thickness given in millimetres. Describing a loaf as hearty or selling it whole doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are; look at the slices or ask what thickness is available.
For packaged bread, check the latest label. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask for the allergen information before you buy. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information must be available for both types. Check the specific variety, even if it’s labelled gluten-free.
You can’t tell from the type of bread. Check the ingredients for ‘iodised salt’ or, if you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask for product-specific information.
Follow the storage instructions for the bread you choose. Albert Heijn says that AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen gesneden can be frozen on the day of purchase; this guidance doesn’t automatically apply to other varieties.
