Who is this choice relevant to?

Families who want to prepare lunch quickly

If you make sandwiches for lunchboxes during the holidays, pre-sliced bread can save time. Just check that the slices suit your fillings and lunchbox.

Shoppers keeping an eye on fibre

The name ‘multigrain’ isn’t enough to compare the fibre content of different loaves. Look for an explicit wholemeal label and check the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information.

Shoppers with allergies or dietary requirements

Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product. Even if a bread is sold as gluten-free, its other ingredients and allergens still matter.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the slice you want to use for lunch. Then compare the nutritional information, ingredients and loaf size based on what matters most to your household.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Slice Check whether the bread is sliced and assess the thickness on the packaging or in store. If I want to fill lunchboxes quickly, the slices need to suit the fillings I use. For around 31% of consumers, finding a suitable slice is the top priority.
Wholemeal and fibre Check whether it is explicitly labelled ‘wholemeal’ and compare the fibre per 100 g. For my everyday sandwich, I want to be able to compare loaves by their fibre content, rather than relying on the name ‘multigrain’ alone. This is the main concern for around 31% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the latest ingredients and allergen information for the exact loaf. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in this particular loaf. This is the top priority for around 23% of consumers.
Loaf size and leftovers Choose a whole or half loaf to suit the expected number of lunches, and check the storage instructions. If I don’t need the same number of sandwiches every day during the holidays, I want to avoid having bread left over. This is the main consideration for around 15% of consumers.

Common mistakes when buying multigrain bread

  • Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain. The name alone doesn’t mean the bread is wholemeal.

    If fibre content matters to you, look for an explicit wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g.

  • Assuming ‘sliced’ means ‘medium-sliced’

    A sliced loaf may have slices that are too thin or too thick for your fillings or lunchbox.

    Check the slices in store, or find out which setting you can choose if there’s a bread slicer available.

  • Judging allergens by the colour or seeds

    You can’t tell which allergens a loaf contains just by looking at the outside. Ingredients vary from product to product.

    Before buying, read the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the exact loaf.

  • Always choosing a whole loaf

    If your lunch needs vary, you may end up with slices left over. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread as a product that is often wasted.

    Choose a loaf size to suit the number of lunches you expect to make. Consider buying half a loaf or freezing unused slices according to the storage instructions.

Brands with suitable bread options

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists options including AH Liefde & Passie sliced multigrain bread and Schär Rustico sliced multigrain bread.

  • You can compare sliced loaves and different loaf sizes.
  • Check the slice thickness for each loaf and, for Schär Rustico, the latest ingredients and allergen information.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers multigrain breads, including Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen and half loaves.

  • The explicit wholemeal label and loaf size give you practical points to compare.
  • When you buy, check whether the available slice is suitable for your lunch.

Lidl

Lidl includes a fibre indicator on packaged breads and publishes ingredients and allergen information for its fresh-from-the-oven bread range.

  • Use the fibre information to compare packaged breads per 100 g.
  • Check in store which multigrain bread and slice options are available.

Aldi

ALDI Netherlands lists Boeren volkoren meergranen as both a half and a whole loaf; the half loaf is sold sliced.

  • The half, sliced loaf combines a convenient size with an explicit wholemeal label.
  • Check the slice thickness and the latest product information in store.

Plus

PLUS offers Korenlanders breads and provides product information including ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.

  • This information helps you check the fibre per 100 g and the ingredients of your chosen loaf.
  • Check whether the exact loaf is sliced and whether the slices suit your lunch.

Dirk

Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers multigrain bread in both half and whole loaf sizes.

  • Having two loaf sizes lets you match the quantity to how much you expect to need for lunches.
  • Check whether your chosen loaf is sliced and how thick the slices are.

Multigrain bread on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain, but the name alone doesn’t mean the bread is wholemeal. Look for an explicit wholemeal label and, if fibre matters to you, compare the amount per 100 g.

How can I tell whether the slices are medium thickness?

The word ‘sliced’ on its own doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. Check them on the packaging or in store, or ask which setting you can choose on a bread slicer.

Should I check for allergens in multigrain bread?

Yes, check the allergens for the exact product. PLUS lists wheat, barley, soya and sesame, among other ingredients, in a Korenlanders multiseed loaf. Even if a bread is sold as gluten-free, you should still check the other ingredients and allergens on the latest packaging.

Does bread in the Netherlands always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No, don’t assume that every loaf contains iodised baker’s salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that iodine compounds may only be added to bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products via baker’s salt, at a maximum of 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. Check the ingredients list if the type of salt used matters to your purchase.

What loaf size is best for changing lunch needs during the school holidays?

Choose a size based on how many lunches you expect to use the bread for. Half a loaf can be practical if you need fewer slices; if you buy a whole loaf, you can freeze any unused slices according to the storage instructions.