Who is this choice relevant to?

Fans of generously topped sandwiches

If you want to choose how thick your slices are for weekend breakfast, a whole or unsliced loaf gives you more room to customise than a pre-sliced one.

Breakfast lovers specifically looking for wholemeal

If choosing wholemeal and getting enough fibre matter to you, don’t rely on the word ‘multigrain’ alone. Check the product name, ingredients and nutritional information.

Weekend brunchers who want to bake their bread

If you have time to bake bread before brunch, a multigrain baguette could be a good fit. This shape of loaf won’t automatically give you the wide slices you’d get from a sliced loaf.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you mainly want to choose the slice thickness yourself, are looking for a clearly labelled wholemeal option or want to make time to bake the bread. Each choice calls for different checks on the packaging or in store.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important to?
Slice thickness and texture Check whether the loaf is whole or unsliced. If slice thickness is crucial, ask about it when buying pre-sliced bread. For generous toppings, I want to be able to cut a slice that suits my breakfast. For around 42% of consumers, having control over slice thickness is the top priority.
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare the stated fibre content per 100 g. If I’m deliberately choosing wholemeal bread, I don’t want to assume it from the word ‘multigrain’ alone. Around 33% of consumers prioritise checking the wholemeal content and fibre.
Preparation and planning Check whether the bread is ready to eat or needs to be defrosted or baked first, and read the preparation instructions. On a relaxed morning, I want to choose between slicing the bread straight away and baking it for brunch. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘multigrain’ as ‘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 entirely wholemeal.

    If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, check that it is explicitly labelled as such, then check the ingredients and fibre content per 100 g.

  • Assuming ‘firm’ means a guaranteed thick slice

    A description of the bread’s texture doesn’t specify how thick it is sliced. Even a firm loaf may be cut differently from the way you’d like for generous toppings.

    Choose a whole or unsliced loaf if you want to decide the thickness yourself, or ask in store about the slicing options.

    Slicing it yourself means you’ll need a bread knife and a little extra preparation.

  • Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt

    Baker’s salt is iodised salt, but according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use it. So the name of the bread won’t tell you which salt is used in the recipe.

    Check the ingredients list or ask which salt is used if you’re buying unpackaged bread.

  • Trying to identify allergens from the name of the bread

    The ingredients in multigrain bread vary from recipe to recipe. ‘Multigrain’ doesn’t tell you which allergens a particular loaf contains.

    Check the latest allergen information just before buying. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask the seller for this information.

Brands to consider

Jumbo

Jumbo’s bread range includes Stevig Meergranen and Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen.

  • Jumbo describes Stevig Meergranen as a wholemeal multigrain loaf with seeds; the product information states that it contains 8,6 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The description ‘firm’ doesn’t specify a set slice thickness. Check how the bread is supplied or whether you can have it sliced.

Albert Heijn

AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen is a brown multigrain loaf that Albert Heijn describes as made with sourdough; an unsliced version is also available.

  • With the unsliced version, you can cut slices to your preferred size for breakfast.
  • Don’t assume from the name ‘multigrain’ that the bread is entirely wholemeal; check the label and ingredients to find out.

Lidl

Lidl describes its multigrain bread as firm and lists wheat, barley and buckwheat among its ingredients.

  • The product description helps you find a firm loaf made with different grains.
  • If you want thick slices, check the slicing options and local availability in store.

ALDI

ALDI lists both sliced boeren volkoren meergranenbrood and a whole luxe vloerbrood meergranen.

  • Choosing between sliced and whole bread lets you weigh convenience against having control over how you slice it.
  • A sliced loaf isn’t necessarily thickly sliced, so check the slice thickness if that matters to you.

PLUS

PLUS offers a par-baked multigrain sourdough baguette for anyone who wants to finish baking their bread at home.

  • Once baked, you can cut the baguette into pieces or slices yourself.
  • A baguette is a different shape from a regular slice of bread and needs time to bake.

Dirk

Dirk describes Bakker van der Akker’s whole multigrain vloerbrood as firm and packed with grains and seeds.

  • As it’s a whole loaf, you can choose the slice thickness yourself.
  • If you’re choosing wholemeal bread or comparing fibre content, check the latest product information rather than relying on the description ‘multigrain’ alone.

Bread options at Joybuy

These options include two round loaves and a baguette with ‘Multigrain’ in the product name. They suit a weekend breakfast when you want to bake the bread and then slice it yourself; check the latest ingredients if the specific types of grain matter to you.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, two 550 g loaves

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 2 × 550 g

For breakfast when you want to slice the round loaf yourself after baking. Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling; this doesn’t guarantee a particular thick slice.

View at Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g

You can slice this 550 g round loaf yourself after defrosting, baking and cooling. Choose it if you have time for this preparation as part of your breakfast plans, rather than assuming it will give you slices of a particular thickness.

View at Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, four 135 g baguettes

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g

For brunch when you want to bake four baguettes and slice them yourself. Defrosting and baking are part of the preparation; this shape of bread isn’t a substitute for thick pre-sliced sandwich bread.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means that at least three types of grain have been used, not that the bread is entirely wholemeal. If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, check that it is explicitly labelled as such and read the ingredients.

Is iodised baker’s salt compulsory in Dutch bread?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. If you want to know which salt is in a particular loaf, check the ingredients list or ask when buying unpackaged bread.

How can I check the allergens in multigrain bread?

Check the latest allergen information for the specific loaf before buying. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be listed on the label of packaged food; if you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask the seller for the information.

Can I use a bake-at-home multigrain baguette for thick slices?

Yes, you can cut a baked baguette into thicker slices if its shape works with your toppings. Allow time for preparation, and don’t expect slices as wide as those from a whole tin loaf or hearth loaf.