For the Sinterklaas arrival parade, look for bread labelled ‘wholemeal’ if a wholemeal base is your priority. Multigrain bread made with both wholemeal flour and white flour is another option if you’re looking for a milder blend for fussy eaters. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ means that at least three types of grain have been used; it doesn’t mean the bread is wholemeal. Also check the allergens and whether the chosen bread contains baker’s salt or iodised salt.
Taking bread with you for the journey or afterwards, and specifically want a wholemeal option? Check the product description and ingredients, not just the colour, seeds or name of the bread. The Voedingscentrum distinguishes between multigrain and wholemeal.
Bread made with both wholemeal flour and white flour could be a good fit if you’re looking for a milder blend. Albert Heijn lists both ingredients for AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel. Check the label on each loaf to see whether its ingredients suit what you want to serve.
Regular multigrain bread is not a substitute for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free. Check the other allergen information on the bread you buy, too. PLUS lists Schär Meesterbakker Mehrkorn as gluten-free multigrain bread.
First decide whether wholemeal, a milder blend or a gluten-free option is your top priority. Then consider which type of bread and preparation will work best for your trip to the Sinterklaas arrival parade.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and read the ingredients. Compare fibre per 100 g on the labels of similar breads. | If I specifically want to take wholemeal bread with me, I don’t want to rely on the word ‘multigrain’ alone. For around 36% of consumers, choosing wholemeal and fibre is the priority. |
| A milder blend | Check whether both wholemeal flour and white flour are listed, and look for any percentages. | For fussy eaters, I look for a loaf whose ingredients suit their preferences, even if that means not choosing fully wholemeal bread. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
| Gluten and allergens | If needed, look for the explicit ‘gluten-free’ label and read the allergen and trace information on the chosen packaging. | If a guest needs to eat gluten-free, I don’t choose based on the word ‘multigrain’ alone. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Taking it with you and preparation | Check whether you’re buying rolls, sliced bread or bake-at-home bread, and follow the storage or preparation instructions for that product. | If I’m leaving at a set time, I want to know whether the bread will be ready to take with me or needs preparing first. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
Bread made with several types of grain can also contain white flour. That’s why the Voedingscentrum distinguishes between the terms multigrain and wholemeal.
If you specifically want wholemeal bread, look for ‘wholemeal’ on the product and read the ingredients list.
According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt when baking bread is not compulsory. So the name of the bread won’t tell you which salt has been used.
Check the label for baker’s salt or iodised salt, or ask about it if you’re buying loose bakery bread.
Regular products in this category may contain gluten-containing cereals and other allergens. The term multigrain says nothing about whether a product is suitable for a gluten-free diet.
If needed, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the other allergen information on the packaging.
Bread that still needs defrosting, baking or cooling won’t fit into a tight departure schedule without some preparation.
Read the instructions for your chosen product in advance and decide when you’ll prepare the bread.
AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel is an example of bread made with both wholemeal flour and white flour.
Jumbo offers various own-brand multigrain breads, including Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen and Stevig Meergranen.
PLUS stocks products including Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel.
ALDI lists Boeren volkoren meergranen Half as a sliced loaf sold in store.
Dirk shows various types of bread in its multigrain search results, including a wholemeal variety and a separate gluten-free product.
Lidl describes multigrain bread under article number 45047 as an in-store product containing ingredients including wheat, barley and buckwheat.
These rolls and loaves are options to take with you or bake at home for the Sinterklaas arrival parade. If you specifically want a mix of wholemeal flour and white flour, don’t rely on the product name alone: check the ingredients on the packaging you choose.
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Individual rolls could be a good choice if you want to hand out separate portions. Check the packaging if a mix of wholemeal flour and white flour is important; the product information lists gluten-containing cereals and sesame.
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A bake-at-home option if you want to prepare the bread before setting off. Allow time to defrost it in advance, and check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and any mention of wholemeal flour.
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This round loaf is a good fit if you’re planning to bake it at home. Allow time for defrosting and cooling, and check the packaging for the wholemeal flour-to-white flour ratio you want and for allergens such as wheat and sesame.
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You can take this 550 g variety with you if baking it at home fits your plans. Allow time for defrosting and cooling, and read the label if the wholemeal-and-white-flour mix or allergens are important for your group.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ refers to bread made with at least three types of grain; it can also contain white flour. If you specifically want to buy wholemeal bread, look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and check the ingredients.
No. The Voedingscentrum says that using baker’s salt when baking bread is not compulsory. Check the label to see which salt has been used, or ask the baker if you’re buying loose bread.
Check the allergen information for the specific bread, including any trace warnings relevant to your guests. Product information from Albert Heijn and PLUS lists gluten-containing cereals and sesame, among other allergens, in various multigrain breads; ingredients vary from product to product.
Follow the storage instructions for the bread you buy. PLUS says to freeze Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel on the day of purchase and use it within one month; those instructions don’t automatically apply to other breads.
