For a leisurely weekend breakfast, first decide how you want to serve your bread: a round loaf to slice at the table, multigrain rolls or bread to bake at home. Don’t let the presentation you have in mind replace checking the label: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘wholemeal’, and bakers don’t always use iodised baker’s salt.
A round loaf, artisan loaf or bake-at-home product works well for a breakfast where you slice bread together at the table or serve it at a set time. The shape and preparation method also affect how much planning is needed.
If you want wholemeal multigrain bread, don’t rely on its colour or visible seeds alone. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, packaged wholemeal bread is labelled ‘wholemeal’.
If you have questions about allergens, gluten or iodised baker’s salt, check the information for the specific loaf. Read the latest packaging or, for unwrapped bread, ask the baker about the ingredients.
First decide whether presentation, the wholemeal label, ingredients or convenience matters most to you. Then compare only the features that relate to your main priority.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Presentation and serving time | Choose between serving it straight away and baking it at home; check the baking instructions for bake-at-home bread. | If I want to slice bread at the table or serve it warm at a planned time, that determines which shape and preparation method will work. For around 40% of consumers, this breakfast experience comes first. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ on packaged bread and, if you wish, compare the fibre per 100 g. | If you’re mainly looking for wholemeal multigrain bread, a dark colour or visible seeds aren’t enough. For around 30% of consumers, confirmed wholemeal status is the main priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information; for unwrapped bread, ask about baker’s salt if needed. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or want to know which salt has been used, I need an accurate answer for that specific loaf. This check is decisive for around 20% of consumers. |
| Quantity and convenience | Check the quantity, size and whether the bread needs to be baked at home. | For a smaller breakfast, I want an amount that suits the number of people eating, without more preparation than planned. Around 10% of consumers put this practical convenience first. |
Visible grains, seeds and a dark colour don’t confirm that the whole grain has been used. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points to the ‘wholemeal’ label on packaged wholemeal bread.
Check for that label if wholemeal is your priority. If you want to compare nutritional values, use the same basis for similar breads, such as per 100 g.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers don’t have to use iodised baker’s salt. So the type of bread or shop name won’t tell you which salt is in a particular loaf.
Read the ingredients list or, for unwrapped bread, ask the baker which salt has been used.
A description like this may tell you something about the style of bread, but it doesn’t replace information about wholemeal status, ingredients or nutritional value.
Choose a type of bread that suits your breakfast, then check the label separately for nutritional information.
A whole loaf needs different planning from a few rolls. If you’re buying bake-at-home bread, you’ll also need to allow time to prepare it as part of your breakfast plans.
Think about how many people are eating and whether you want to serve the bread straight away or bake it first.
If the quantity doesn’t suit your breakfast, you could end up with leftover bread.
Albert Heijn offers products including Liefde & Passie Meergranen and breads from the OerDesem range for anyone planning a more leisurely breakfast.
At Jumbo, you can compare product names such as Stevig Meergranen and Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen.
Lidl offers both multigrain bread and an organic rustic multigrain sourdough loaf.
ALDI offers products including boeren volkoren meergranenbrood and part-baked multigrain baguettes.
PLUS offers Korenlanders breads made with sourdough, as well as multigrain products to bake at home.
Dirk offers a multigrain artisan loaf and other multigrain products, including bake-at-home options.
These round loaves and baguettes are suited to a breakfast where you can plan time to bake them at home; the four multigrain rolls are an option if you’re looking for individual portions. Check the packaging for each product if wholemeal status, allergens or the type of salt used matter to your choice.
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A good choice if you’d like to serve round loaves at a more leisurely breakfast and have time to bake them at home.
Check the latest packaging for the baking time. Use it to check wholemeal status, allergens and the type of salt used, too.
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For anyone who’d like to share multigrain baguettes at the table and can allow time for defrosting and baking as part of their breakfast plans.
Follow the preparation instructions on the packaging, and check it for the wholemeal label, allergens and the type of salt used.
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For a breakfast where you’d like to serve four baguettes and can set aside time beforehand to defrost and bake them.
Check the latest packaging for the baking time, and refer to it for wholemeal status, allergens and the type of salt used.
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A round loaf for anyone who wants to slice bread at the table and can allow time to bake and cool it at home.
Follow the baking time on the latest packaging and, if needed, check it for wholemeal status, allergens and the type of salt used.
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For anyone who’d rather serve four individual multigrain rolls at a weekend breakfast than slice a whole loaf.
Check the packaging for preparation instructions, wholemeal status and full allergen information. The product description mentions iodised salt.
No. ‘Multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that the whole grain has been used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, packaged wholemeal bread is labelled ‘wholemeal’, so don’t rely on colour or seeds alone.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients on packaged bread or ask the baker which salt is in the loaf.
Check the label and ingredients for the specific bread; don’t assume it contains iodised baker’s salt because it’s described as ‘organic’ or ‘gluten-free’. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends reading the label on packaged bread or asking the baker about baker’s salt.
Follow the preparation and storage instructions for the product you choose, and allow enough time before you plan to serve it. The steps required can vary from one bake-at-home product to another.
