Shopping for a small top-up
You need bread for today or the next few days and want to choose a size you can finish or store. So check the number of items or slices, and the storage instructions.
Who is this for?
Looking for wholemeal bread and fibre
You’re looking for bread for everyday use and want to know more than the name ‘multigrain’ tells you. Check whether it’s labelled wholemeal and compare fibre on a like-for-like basis, such as per 100 g.
Checking for allergens
You’re keeping an eye out for cereals containing gluten or other allergens in the exact variety you’re buying. An explicit gluten-free label doesn’t mean you can skip checking for other allergens.
What should you look for when topping up?
First decide how much bread you need. Then check the wholemeal labelling, nutritional information and any allergens listed on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable size | Check the number of items or slices, the weight and the storage instructions. | I only need bread for a few meals and don’t want lots left over; around 56% of consumers would consider a suitable portion size the main priority. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare fibre per 100 g on the packaging. | I want to know what’s behind the name ‘multigrain’ for my everyday sandwiches; around 33% of consumers would prioritise wholemeal status and fibre content. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen list for your chosen variety; check for an explicit gluten-free label if necessary. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the label is decisive, even on bread called ‘multigrain’; around 11% of consumers would make this their first concern when buying. |
Common mistakes
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Looking only at the number of loaves
A whole loaf, half a loaf and individual rolls won’t necessarily provide the same number of servings. A large pack can be inconvenient if you only need bread for a short time.
Check the weight and storage instructions. Buy a size you can finish, or check whether and when you can freeze the remainder.
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread is made with at least three types of grain. The name alone doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal.
Look separately for the wholemeal label on the packaging, and check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g if these matter to your choice.
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Ignoring other allergens when a product is labelled gluten-free
Gluten-free multigrain bread may still contain other allergens. Regular multigrain breads also vary in the grains and seeds they contain.
Read the current ingredients and allergen information for every variety you choose, even if you’ve bought the product before.
Brands to consider
These examples show the product information you can compare across different types of bread. Always check the current label for the variety you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers both wholemeal multigrain bread and a variety with seeds.
- Jumbo lists 8.6 g of fibre per 100 g for Stevig Meergranen.
- The allergen information for this variety lists, among other things, cereals containing gluten, sesame and soya.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers, among other products, a whole multigrain loaf and an individual multigrain triangle roll.
- AH Boeren donker meergranen lists 6 g of fibre per 100 g; the AH Triangel is listed as a 90 g roll.
- The triangle roll lists, among other things, cereals containing gluten and sesame. Check the current packaging, as product information can change.
PLUS Korenlanders
The Korenlanders range includes, among other products, dark multigrain bread and sourdough varieties.
- PLUS says you can freeze Korenlanders Donker meergranen at home on the day you buy it.
- Follow the storage and use instructions on the specific packaging; for this variety, the instructions say to use within one month of freezing.
Lidl
Lidl offers freshly baked and pre-packaged loaves.
- Lidl says its packaged loaves display a fibre meter, which can help you compare products on the shelf.
- If you want to compare values per 100 g, also check the nutritional information for the bread itself.
Schär
Schär is a relevant range if you’re specifically looking for gluten-free multigrain bread.
- PLUS describes Schär Mehrkorn as gluten-free multigrain bread.
- Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from all allergens: for this variety, also check the information about soya and possible traces of other ingredients.
Multigrain bread at Joybuy
This selection includes rolls for a small top-up and multigrain bread that needs to be baked at home. For larger packs in particular, check what you can store and prepare.
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g'woon Multigrain Rolls, 4 rolls
A pack of four rolls may be suitable for a small top-up. Check the pack weight if portion size matters to your choice.
If you have allergies, read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 2 × 550 g
Two round multigrain loaves may suit you if you want to store bread for several meals. They need to be thawed and baked before use, so bear this in mind if you’re looking for a quick top-up.
Check the baking instructions and current allergen information on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g
This 550 g round multigrain loaf is a separate option for several meals. It needs to be thawed and baked before use.
Check the baking time on the packaging and, if you have allergies, read the current allergen information.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g (pack of 2)
These multigrain baguettes are intended to be thawed and baked at home. Check the number of items and total weight on the packaging, as the multipack description is unclear.
Follow the baking instructions and, if you have allergies, read the current allergen information.
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; that doesn’t mean it’s wholemeal. Look separately for the wholemeal label on the packaging and, if you wish, compare the fibre per 100 g.
Does all multigrain bread in the Netherlands contain iodine?
You can’t tell from the name ‘multigrain’. Check the ingredients for something such as baker’s salt or iodised salt; AH Boeren donker meergranen lists iodised salt.
What should I do with bread I won’t eat straight away?
Choose a smaller pack or follow the freezing instructions for the specific bread. PLUS says to freeze Korenlanders Donker meergranen on the day you buy it and use it within one month.
Can I simply choose regular multigrain bread if I need to eat gluten-free?
If you need to eat gluten-free, only choose bread with an explicit gluten-free label; the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you anything about this. Also check the other allergens on the current packaging, even for a gluten-free variety.