Parents of fussy bread eaters
If firm bread often comes home uneaten, a multigrain version with a taste or texture your child prefers may be worth trying. Check separately whether it also has a wholemeal base.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Families looking for a wholemeal base
If you’re looking for wholemeal bread for everyday lunches, the product description and ingredients list are more useful than the word ‘multigrain’. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between bread made with several types of grain and bread made with wholemeal flour.
Families who need to check allergens
For bread containing ingredients such as wheat, barley, rye, oats, sesame or soya, the information for the product you choose matters. Check the label or ask for allergen information if buying unpackaged bread, and bear in mind any school guidelines.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with bread your child wants to eat, then check the wholemeal base and allergens, and choose an amount that suits your lunch plans.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Taste and texture | Check whether the crumb and visible seeds suit what your child usually eats. | If firm bread keeps coming home, I want to try a version my child will eat. For around 27% of consumers, that acceptability comes first. |
| Wholemeal base and fibre | Check the product description and the flour used; compare the stated fibre content on the same basis, for example per 100 g. | For a regular school lunch, I want to know whether the bread is actually made with wholemeal flour. For around 33% of consumers, a wholemeal base is their main concern. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ statement; ask for allergen information if buying unpackaged bread. | When allergens are a concern, I need to know exactly what is in this particular bread before packing it. Around 20% of consumers prioritise these checks. |
| Portions and storage | Choose a half or whole loaf to suit how much you’ll use, or freeze the bread in lunch-sized portions after buying it. | If we don’t eat the same amount of bread every day, I want to avoid having a whole loaf left over. For around 20% of consumers, portion convenience is the main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain. The name doesn’t tell you whether wholemeal flour has been used.
Look for a wholemeal claim in the product description and check which flour is listed in the ingredients.
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Relying on an old allergen list
For lunch, what matters is the information for the bread you actually buy. This is especially important with unpackaged bread and when the packaging carries a warning about the possible presence of allergens.
Check the current label when you buy it. For unpackaged bread, ask which allergens it contains, and check the school guidelines before packing lunch.
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Buying a whole loaf without a portion plan
A whole loaf can be impractical if you only pack bread for school now and then.
Choose a half loaf if that suits you better. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it if you plan to freeze it.
Brands to consider
These examples show which product details can help when comparing multigrain bread. Always check the packaging for the version you choose when buying.
Albert Heijn
AH Boeren donker meergranen heel is an example where the ingredients list can help you assess the flour base.
- Albert Heijn lists wholemeal wheat flour as the first ingredient and states that the bread contains iodised salt.
- The bread reviewed contains wheat, barley, rye and soya, among other ingredients; also check the latest warnings for other allergens.
Jumbo
Jumbo provides product information for both wholemeal multigrain bread and wholemeal multigrain rolls.
- Jumbo Wholemeal Multigrain Bread lists 40% wholemeal wheat flour and 7,8 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Bread and rolls are different products, so check the ingredients and allergens separately for the version you choose.
Lidl
Lidl describes a multigrain bread containing wheat, barley and buckwheat, among other ingredients.
- The grains listed give you a clear starting point for assessing the type of bread.
- Use the latest ingredients and allergen information for the bread you choose to assess its wholemeal base and allergens.
ALDI
ALDI lists a sliced half loaf of Boeren wholemeal multigrain bread.
- A half loaf may suit a household that needs fewer lunch portions.
- Check the packaging for the exact ingredients and allergens.
PLUS
PLUS Korenlanders donker meergranenbrood shows which ingredients information can be useful when comparing wholemeal breads.
- For this bread, PLUS lists 50% wholemeal wheat flour and bakers’ salt.
- According to PLUS, the bread contains wheat, barley, oats and sesame, among other ingredients; check the latest allergen information.
Dirk
Dirk lists products including Bakker van der Akker Bakkers multigrain half loaf, as well as a separate wholemeal multigrain version.
- A half loaf is an option if a whole loaf doesn’t suit how much bread you use for lunches.
- Don’t assume that another bread in the same range has the same ingredients: check the wholemeal base and allergens for the version you choose.
Multigrain products at Joybuy
These rolls and this round loaf are options if their shape and preparation suit your school lunch. Check the wholemeal base and allergens separately before choosing.
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g'woon multigrain rolls, 4 pieces
Four individual rolls may suit you if you want to pack one for each school day.
Check the packaging for the wholemeal base and the latest allergen information; according to the product details, the rolls contain cereals containing gluten and sesame.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round multigrain bread, 550 g
This round loaf could work for preparing lunches at home if you have time to defrost and bake it before use.
Check the packaging for the wholemeal base and the latest allergen information; the ingredients information lists wheat and sesame.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means that at least three types of grain are used; it doesn’t necessarily mean the bread is made with wholemeal flour. If you’re looking for a wholemeal base, check the product description and ingredients list.
Does a dark colour tell me anything about the wholemeal base?
No. The colour or visible seeds alone don’t prove that bread is made with wholemeal flour. Check the description and ingredients for that particular bread.
How do I check allergens in multigrain bread?
For prepacked bread, read the latest ingredients list and allergen information; if buying unpackaged bread, ask for the allergen information before you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that cereals containing gluten must be listed by the name of the cereal. Pack the lunch in line with the school guidelines that apply to your child.
What should I do with bread that won’t be eaten straight away?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it, then taking out what you need for lunch. Also follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
How can I tell if bread contains bakers’ salt?
Check the ingredients list for the bread you choose. For example, PLUS lists bakers’ salt in its Korenlanders dark multigrain bread reviewed here. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre discusses bakers’ salt and iodine in its bread advice for children aged 4 to 12; this age range doesn’t include every secondary-school pupil.