Who is this bread choice relevant to?

Fibre-conscious breakfast eaters

You want confirmation that your savoury breakfast bread is wholemeal, then compare the fibre content per 100 g across different loaves.

Fans of hearty bread

You’re looking for the texture of grains, kernels or seeds with toppings such as egg, cheese or hummus. Check the label separately to see whether the bread is also wholemeal.

Label checkers

You want to see which grains and allergens a loaf contains before buying, as well as the salt and fibre content listed for the variety you’ve chosen.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by looking for the ‘wholemeal’ label if that’s a deciding factor for you. Then compare the texture and nutritional information of the loaves that meet your requirements.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare fibre per 100 g, rather than relying on the wording on the front of the pack. If I eat bread with savoury toppings every day, I want to make sure it’s made with wholemeal flour, then compare the fibre figures. Around 42% of consumers put this combination first.
Flavour and texture Check the ingredients and shape of the loaf if you’re looking for grains, kernels or seeds and a firmer texture. With egg, cheese or a vegetable spread, I mainly want bread with a satisfying bite. For around 33% of consumers, flavour and texture are the most important factors.
Salt and allergens Compare salt per 100 g and read the allergen information, including any warning about possible traces. If certain ingredients or the salt content are important to me, I need to be able to check the information for that exact loaf. Around 25% of consumers put this label check first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal

    The colour and the term ‘multigrain’ don’t confirm that the flour is entirely wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, it’s the ‘wholemeal’ label that provides this assurance.

    Check for this label first if wholemeal flour is your main requirement; only then choose based on the grain mix and shape of the loaf.

  • Comparing fibre alone

    Salt content can vary between recipes. Jumbo lists 0.95 g of salt per 100 g for Schotel Meergranen Volkoren; PLUS lists 1.10 g per 100 g for Brood van Soma Haverkorn meergranen.

    Compare the fibre and salt content of the loaves you’re considering on the same basis: per 100 g.

  • Assuming seeds guarantee allergen information

    Breads containing several grains and seeds can contain different allergens. The ingredients in another multigrain variety therefore don’t tell you for certain what’s in the loaf you’ve chosen.

    Read the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warning for the exact variety.

  • Assuming all bread contains iodine

    The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may only be present in bread through the addition of bakers’ salt. This doesn’t mean that every loaf contains bakers’ salt.

    If you want to know what has been used in a particular loaf, check that product’s ingredients list.

Brands to compare when choosing bread

These retailers offer different types of wholemeal and multigrain bread. Check the label and product information for each loaf: products in the same range don’t necessarily use the same recipe.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists a range of wholemeal breads online, including Waldkorn wholemeal and other types of loaf.

  • You can compare different types of loaf within its wholemeal range.
  • Check the exact product description: a multigrain-style name alone doesn’t confirm that the bread is wholemeal.

Jumbo

Jumbo provides product information for items including Schotel Meergranen Volkoren.

  • For this variety, you can compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
  • Don’t rely on information for a different Jumbo variety with a similar name.

Lidl

Lidl describes a multigrain loaf containing ingredients including wheat, barley and buckwheat.

  • Knowing which grains it contains helps you decide whether the mix appeals to you.
  • The name ‘multigrain bread’ doesn’t confirm that it’s made entirely with wholemeal flour unless it’s labelled as wholemeal.

ALDI

ALDI lists both boeren-volkoren-meergranenbrood with grains and seeds and a separate extra-fibre-rich wholemeal bread.

  • The product names make it easier to look for a wholemeal variety.
  • Don’t assume the two loaves have the same ingredients or nutritional values.

PLUS

PLUS lists products including a loaf described as ‘Volkoren Meergranenbrood’ and a separate wholemeal multigrain bake-at-home variety.

  • The product information for Brood van Soma Haverkorn meergranen provides ingredients and nutritional values to compare.
  • The bake-at-home variety needs preparing; always check the label for the specific variety you’ve chosen for allergen and nutritional information.

Dirk

Dirk’s bread range includes wholemeal, multigrain, sourdough and multikorn wholemeal bread.

  • The different names help you search for the type of bread you’re looking for.
  • As with any loaf, check whether it’s labelled ‘wholemeal’ and what ingredients it contains.

Bread options on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the ‘wholemeal’ label on bread confirms that it’s made with 100% wholemeal flour; ‘multigrain’ on its own doesn’t. So if wholemeal flour is important to you, check the product name or packaging.

Does bakers’ salt mean every loaf contains iodine?

No. The rules on bakers’ salt don’t mean that every loaf uses it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes bakers’ salt as the permitted way to add iodine compounds to bread. Check the ingredients list to find out what has been used in a particular loaf.

Can I choose wholemeal multigrain bread if I need to avoid gluten?

Don’t rely on the name of the bread: wholemeal multigrain bread may contain grains that contain gluten. Check the current ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety you’re considering, including any details about possible traces.

Can I freeze bread for weekday breakfasts?

You can, as long as the storage advice for the bread you’ve chosen says it can be frozen. Check the packaging for when to freeze it and how long it can be stored afterwards; don’t automatically apply the instructions for one loaf to another variety.