Who is this choice important for?

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.

Households that eat bread with sweet toppings

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.

Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens

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.

What should you look for when choosing?

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.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’

    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.

  • Comparing fibre figures alone

    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.

  • Judging the whole meal by the bread alone

    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.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan

    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.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn describes AH Zaans multigrain whole loaf as wholemeal multigrain bread.

  • The product information lists wholemeal wheat flour, 7,2 g of fibre per 100 g, iodised salt and allergen information.
  • This product page marks the bread as discontinued; check what’s currently available and read the packaging for that product.

Jumbo

Jumbo sells multigrain breads under its own name, including varieties labelled wholemeal.

  • The product information for Jumbo Wholemeal Multigrain Bread lists 7,8 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • That particular bread is no longer in the online range; check the label and nutritional information for the variety you find now.

Lidl

Lidl describes a multigrain bread made with ingredients including wheat, barley and buckwheat.

  • The grains listed give you a starting point if you want to compare ingredients.
  • The grain mix alone doesn’t confirm that the bread is wholemeal; check the label and ingredients of the specific loaf.

ALDI

Among its bread products, ALDI lists Boeren wholemeal multigrain bread and a separate extra high-fibre wholemeal loaf.

  • ALDI says its wholemeal breads are made with 100% wholemeal flour.
  • Compare the nutritional information for each variety; the features of the separate extra high-fibre loaf don’t automatically apply to the multigrain bread.

PLUS

Under the Korenlanders name, PLUS lists products including wholemeal multigrain rolls and a dark wholemeal hearth loaf.

  • PLUS provides freezing instructions for its multigrain rolls, advising you to freeze them on the day of purchase.
  • The values listed by PLUS—7,2 g of fibre and 1,02 g of salt per 100 g—are for the separate dark hearth loaf, not all Korenlanders products.

Dirk

Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Casino multigrain wholemeal half loaf and a separate multigrain hearth loaf.

  • The label for the half Casino loaf makes it clear which product is sold as wholemeal multigrain bread.
  • If you want wholemeal bread, don’t assume the separate multigrain hearth loaf is wholemeal based on its grain mix; check the packaging or shelf label.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

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.

Which label information should I compare for a sweet breakfast?

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.

What should I look for when checking allergens in multigrain bread?

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.

Does all multigrain bread contain iodised salt?

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.

Can I freeze wholemeal multigrain bread?

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.