Picnickers who like generous fillings
If you want thick slices for fillings such as cheese, vegetables or spreads, a whole loaf lets you choose how to slice it. Just check that the shape of the loaf suits the snacks you want to make.
Which choice suits you?
Shoppers comparing labels
If you want to know whether a loaf is wholemeal, look beyond the name ‘multigrain’. The Consumentenbond points out that the name alone says nothing about its composition, so check the description, ingredients and nutritional information.
Planning supplies for a holiday
If you buy bread in advance, storage instructions are key. Albert Heijn and PLUS advise freezing certain multigrain loaves on the day of purchase. Always follow the instructions for the specific product you choose.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide whether you want to slice the bread yourself or buy slices that are ready to use. Then compare the label and storage instructions for the loaf you’re actually planning to buy.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness | For pre-sliced bread, ask how thick the slices are. Choose a whole loaf if you want to slice it yourself at home. | For a generously filled picnic sandwich, I want to decide how thick the slices are myself. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check the description and ingredients for wholemeal flour, and compare fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. | If the ingredients matter more to me than how the bread is sliced, I don’t want to rely on ‘multigrain’ alone. Around 27% of consumers say this check takes priority. |
| Allergens and salt | Read the allergen statement for the specific product. If you’re concerned about iodine, check which salt is listed on the label. | If there’s an ingredient I need to avoid, the current packaging is what matters most to me. This label check is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Stocking up and freezing | Check the product’s freezing instructions and make sure it’s available at your chosen shop. | When stocking up for a holiday, I want to know in advance how to store the bread. Around 20% of consumers put this ahead of the other considerations. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’
Bread made with several grains isn’t automatically wholemeal. You could end up buying a loaf with a different composition from what you expected based on its name.
Check the bread description and ingredients for wholemeal flour. To compare nutritional value, check the fibre per 100 g.
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Confusing ‘hearty’ with thickly sliced
Descriptions such as ‘hearty’, ‘rustic’ or ‘oven-bottom’ don’t specify a measurable slice thickness. Even pre-sliced bread may not be cut the way you want for your fillings.
Ask how thick pre-sliced bread is, or choose a whole loaf if you want to decide how it’s sliced yourself.
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Guessing allergens from the name of the bread
Recipes for multigrain bread vary. The name doesn’t tell you which grains, seeds or other allergens are listed in the product you’ve chosen.
Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the exact loaf you’re buying.
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Assuming it contains iodised baker’s salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t assume which salt has been used based on the type of bread.
Check the ingredients list for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’ for the product you’ve chosen.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers sliced multigrain loaves, including varieties made with sourdough and wholemeal flour.
- AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen lists its ingredients and freezing instructions. AH OerDesem donker meergranen is described as a whole wholemeal multigrain loaf.
- Check the slice thickness separately if it matters for your fillings.
Jumbo
Jumbo Stevig Meergranen is a whole wholemeal multigrain loaf with kernels and seeds.
- Jumbo lists 8,6 g of fibre per 100 g for this product and provides allergen information.
- The name ‘Stevig’ doesn’t specify slice thickness, so check this separately.
Lidl
Lidl describes its multigrain bread as hearty and lists wheat, barley and buckwheat among its ingredients.
- The grains listed help you check the composition of this bread more closely.
- Ask in store how the bread is sliced if you need thick slices.
ALDI
ALDI offers whole multigrain loaves, including Luxe vloerbrood meergranen and Boeren volkoren meergranen.
- ALDI describes its Luxe vloerbrood as pre-sliced, while the farmhouse variety is labelled wholemeal.
- If you’re buying the pre-sliced loaf, check that the slices are thick enough for the fillings you have in mind.
PLUS
PLUS offers Korenlanders varieties, including a dark, round wholemeal multigrain loaf and a rustic multigrain oven-bottom loaf.
- PLUS lists 6,8 g of fibre per 100 g for the dark round loaf and provides freezing instructions.
- Check how the bread is sliced and whether it’s available at your chosen shop.
Dirk
Dirk describes its whole multigrain oven-bottom loaf as hearty, with grains and seeds.
- With a whole loaf, you can slice it yourself at home.
- ‘Hearty’ doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. Also check the packaging if the ingredients or allergens matter to your choice.
Multigrain products at Joybuy
These whole round loaves and multigrain baguettes are designed to be sliced after baking. Choose a round loaf or baguettes to suit the shape you want for your summer snacks. Before buying, check that you can cut them into the thick slices you’re after.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 2 × 550 g
A whole, round multigrain loaf for anyone who wants to slice it themselves after baking.
The product information lists sunflower, linseed and sesame seeds, and says it can be frozen before baking for up to four months. Allow time to defrost and bake, then leave to cool for 30 minutes before slicing. Check the preparation instructions on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g
This whole, round multigrain loaf is ideal if you want to bake one loaf and slice it yourself.
The product information lists sunflower, linseed and sesame seeds, and says it can be frozen before baking for up to four months. After defrosting and baking, leave to cool for 30 minutes before slicing. Follow the instructions on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 2 × 4 × 135 g
You can slice these multigrain baguettes yourself after baking. Check that their shape suits the slices you want for your fillings.
The product information lists sunflower, sesame and linseed, and says the baguettes can be frozen before baking for up to four months. They need to be defrosted and baked; follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g
These multigrain baguettes are a good option if you want to choose how to slice them after baking.
The product information lists sunflower, sesame and linseed, and says they can be frozen before baking for up to four months. They need to be defrosted and baked; check the baking time on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No, ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘wholemeal’. The Consumentenbond points out that the name alone says nothing about the bread’s composition, so check the description and ingredients for wholemeal flour.
Can I freeze multigrain bread for a holiday?
Yes, some loaves can be frozen according to the product instructions. Albert Heijn advises freezing AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen and AH OerDesem donker meergranen on the day of purchase. PLUS gives the same advice for Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel. Follow the storage times on the packaging of the loaf you choose.
Does Dutch multigrain bread always contain iodised salt?
No, you can’t assume that. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for the loaf you choose to see whether it includes ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’.
Which allergens should I check in multigrain bread?
Always check the allergen statement for the exact product, as recipes vary. The product information for the loaves discussed lists allergens including gluten-containing cereals, sesame and soya. Also check for any warnings on the current packaging.