Breakfast eaters keeping an eye on fibre
You want to pair sweet toppings with bread that’s clearly labelled wholemeal. Compare the fibre per 100 g on the packaging, so you’re not relying on the colour or name of the bread alone.
If you want wholemeal bread with a sweet breakfast, choose multigrain bread clearly labelled ‘wholemeal’; the word ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t confirm this. Then compare the fibre, salt, ingredients and allergens in each product, and check the toppings separately: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, toppings can also contain sugars, salt or saturated fat. Choose a pack size that suits how much bread you eat and how you can store it.
You want to pair sweet toppings with bread that’s clearly labelled wholemeal. Compare the fibre per 100 g on the packaging, so you’re not relying on the colour or name of the bread alone.
You’re choosing bread for things like jam, fruit or peanut butter, but you also want to know what the topping adds to your meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that toppings can contain sugars, salt or saturated fat, so assess the bread and topping separately.
You need to know which grains and other ingredients the bread contains before you buy it. For pre-packed bread, check the current allergen information; for unpackaged bread, ask the shop for details.
When choosing multigrain bread for a sweet breakfast, start by checking whether it’s labelled wholemeal. Then compare the nutritional information for the bread and toppings, and choose a pack size that suits how often you eat bread.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ or ‘wholemeal multigrain’ and compare the fibre per 100 g. | If fibre is my top priority, I want to make sure that ‘multigrain’ refers to more than just the grain mix. Around 36% of consumers prioritise wholemeal bread and fibre. |
| Bread and sweet toppings | Check the sugars and other nutritional information for the bread and toppings separately, using the same basis for comparison. | If you enjoy sweet toppings, you’ll want to consider what goes on the bread as well as the bread itself. This combination is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact bread you’re buying; for unpackaged bread, ask the shop for details. | If certain ingredients or allergens are decisive for me, I can’t rely on the name of the bread. This check is the highest priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Pack size and storage | Choose between a whole loaf, half a loaf or rolls, and follow the product’s storage instructions. | In a household that doesn’t eat much bread at once, I want to choose a size I can use in time or freeze according to the instructions. This matters most to around 14% of consumers. |
Bread made with several types of grain isn’t automatically wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a product can only be called wholemeal if all its grain ingredients consist of wholemeal flour.
First look for the wholemeal label, then check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.
Breads with similar amounts of fibre can differ in salt and ingredients. Albert Heijn lists 7,2 g of fibre and 0,6 g of salt per 100 g for AH Zaans multigrain whole loaf; PLUS lists 7,2 g of fibre and 1,02 g of salt per 100 g for Korenlanders Extra dark wholemeal half hearth loaf.
Compare values per 100 g and check the allergen information for the bread you actually choose.
Choosing wholemeal bread doesn’t tell you how much sugar, salt or saturated fat is in the sweet topping. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the ingredients in toppings, too.
Read the nutritional information for the topping separately, rather than treating your choice of bread as an assessment of the whole breakfast.
A whole loaf may be more than your household can use within the stated storage period.
Choose a size that suits how often you eat breakfast, and check the packaging for storage or freezing instructions.
Albert Heijn describes AH Zaans multigrain whole loaf as wholemeal multigrain bread.
Jumbo sells multigrain breads under its own name, including varieties labelled wholemeal.
Lidl describes a multigrain bread made with ingredients including wheat, barley and buckwheat.
Among its bread products, ALDI lists Boeren wholemeal multigrain bread and a separate extra high-fibre wholemeal loaf.
Under the Korenlanders name, PLUS lists products including wholemeal multigrain rolls and a dark wholemeal hearth loaf.
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Casino multigrain wholemeal half loaf and a separate multigrain hearth loaf.
No. ‘Multigrain’ describes the grain mix and doesn’t confirm that the bread is wholemeal. Look for ‘wholemeal’ or ‘wholemeal multigrain’ on the packaging. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, all the grain ingredients in a product labelled wholemeal must consist of wholemeal flour.
For multigrain bread, first check the wholemeal label, then compare fibre and salt per 100 g, the ingredients and the allergens. Check the toppings separately: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, toppings can contain sugars, salt or saturated fat.
Read the allergen information for the exact loaf, not just the product name. Multigrain bread can contain different gluten-containing grains or other allergens. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be listed on the label of pre-packed foods. For unpackaged bread, ask the shop for details.
Don’t assume it does. Check the ingredients list for the bread you choose for ingredients such as baker’s salt or iodised salt; Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH Zaans multigrain whole loaf.
Follow the storage instructions for the specific product. PLUS says its Korenlanders wholemeal multigrain rolls can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within one month; don’t assume the same instructions apply to other bread.