For a Mother’s Day breakfast where wholemeal is a priority, choose bread that’s explicitly labelled ‘wholemeal’ or ‘wholemeal multigrain’. ‘Multigrain’ on its own doesn’t mean the whole grain has been used. Then check the ingredients and allergen information. If the use of iodised baker’s salt matters to your choice, check that too.
You’re looking for bread with a clear wholemeal base for your Mother’s Day breakfast, not just a multigrain appearance. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread can be made with refined flour, so the name alone doesn’t prove that it’s wholemeal.
You’re buying bread for several people and want to know which allergens it contains before you buy. According to the NVWA, this information is on the label for pre-packed bread. For unpackaged bread, it must be made available in another way.
You’re looking for a type of bread that suits the table and the time you have to prepare. The ranges at the supermarkets mentioned include whole loaves, half loaves, rolls and bake-at-home products. Check the format and product information for the bread you choose.
Start with what matters most for your Mother’s Day breakfast: a wholemeal base, ingredient and allergen information, ease of serving or availability. Then check the other details on the product you choose.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal base and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the name or ingredients information. You can also compare the fibre content per 100 g in the nutritional information. | If I’m choosing multigrain bread specifically for its wholemeal base, I don’t want to judge by its colour or visible seeds. For around 36% of consumers, a wholemeal base comes first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label or ask for allergen information before buying unpackaged bread. If necessary, also check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt has been used. | If someone at the table needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to have the information before choosing bread. For around 29% of consumers, this is the main priority. |
| Bread format and preparation | Check whether you’re buying a whole or half loaf, rolls or a bake-at-home product, and read any preparation instructions. | For a brunch, I want a format I can prepare in time and serve easily. Ease of serving matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Availability and size | Check the range at your chosen shop and make sure the size suits the number of people you’re serving. | If I want to do my shopping in one place, the bread I’m after needs to be available there and suit our table. This is the first consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread can be made with refined flour. A dark colour or visible seeds won’t tell you whether the whole grain has been used.
If a wholemeal base is your main requirement, look for an explicit wholemeal label and check the ingredients if necessary.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt and that organic bread usually doesn’t contain it.
If the type of salt used matters to your choice, read the ingredients list or ask about it when buying unpackaged bread.
A product name or the colour of the bread won’t tell you which allergens it contains. According to the NVWA, allergen information must also be available for unpackaged bread.
For pre-packed bread, read the label. At the bakery counter, ask for information about the specific loaf before you buy.
Albert Heijn has separate online categories for wholemeal bread and for multigrain and corn bread.
Jumbo’s multigrain category also includes products explicitly labelled ‘wholemeal multigrain’.
Lidl lists multigrain bread and wholemeal bread as separate bakery products.
ALDI lists products including one called ‘Boeren volkoren meergranen’.
PLUS lists products including wholemeal multigrain rolls and bake-at-home wholemeal multigrain baguettes.
Dirk’s search results include both products labelled ‘multigrain’ and products with ‘wholemeal’ in the name.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread can be made with refined flour. If you want a wholemeal base, look for an explicit wholemeal label and check the ingredients if necessary.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt, and organic bread usually doesn’t contain it. Check the ingredients list for packaged bread, or ask about it when buying unpackaged bread if it matters to your choice.
If the bread is sold unpackaged, ask for allergen information about that specific loaf before you buy it. According to the NVWA, this information is on the label for pre-packed bread. For unpackaged bread, it must be made available in another way.
The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t mean that bread is gluten-free. Check the product information for the specific loaf before choosing it; don’t rely on the grains you can see on the outside.
It can be, if you have the oven space and time to prepare it. PLUS lists a baking time of 8–10 minutes at 220 °C for one of its wholemeal multigrain baguettes. Always follow the instructions for the product you buy.
