For a fakeaway night, don’t choose bread based on the word ‘multigrain’ alone. If wholegrains are your priority, look for bread explicitly labelled ‘wholemeal’. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain; that doesn’t automatically mean it’s wholemeal. Then choose a shape and quantity to suit your meal, and check the latest ingredients and allergen information.
You’re looking for bread for something like filled rolls or a meal with dips, and want to know whether a multigrain option is also wholemeal. Check the product description rather than relying on the number of grain types listed.
You choose the shape of the bread to suit the dish and the number of people eating. For example, Jumbo lists whole and half-sized wholemeal multigrain options. Check which one is available when you shop.
You want to check the allergens or type of salt used in a particular option before buying. Baker’s salt is iodised salt, but don’t assume a particular loaf contains it without checking the product information.
Start by checking for a wholemeal label if that matters for your meal. Then make sure the shape and quantity suit your dish, and read the information for the specific option you’re buying.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description. Only compare fibre content when the nutritional information uses the same basis, such as per 100 g. | I want a clearly labelled wholemeal base and won’t rely on ‘multigrain’ alone; this is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Bread shape and quantity | Choose a shape that suits the dish and compare the quantity with the number of portions you need. | For a meal with just a few people, I don’t want to buy a whole loaf if a smaller option will do; around 30% of consumers prioritise portion size and bread shape. |
| Ingredients and salt | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information. If you have questions about iodine or baker’s salt, check whether iodised salt is listed. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or want to know which salt was used, I need to be able to check the option I choose; this is the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain means a bread contains at least three types of grain. It doesn’t automatically mean it’s made with wholegrain flour.
If wholemeal is a must-have, check that the bread you want to buy is explicitly labelled as such.
Appearance doesn’t tell you whether all the flour used is made from whole grains. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority links the ‘wholemeal’ label to the use of wholegrain flour.
Read the product description and ingredients list rather than treating the colour or finish as proof.
Baker’s salt is iodised salt, but that doesn’t tell you which type of salt is in a particular loaf.
For packaged bread, check the label. For unwrapped bread, ask which salt was used if it matters to you.
A whole loaf isn’t always the best fit for a meal where you only need a few portions.
Work out how many portions you need beforehand, check whether a half loaf is available, and freeze any slices you won’t use soon.
Albert Heijn has separate online categories for wholemeal bread and multigrain and maize bread.
Jumbo lists products with ‘wholemeal’ in the name in its online multigrain range, including whole and half-sized options.
Lidl lists a multigrain loaf and, according to its own range information, uses a fibre meter on packaged bread.
These wholemeal wheat breads come in different shapes for a fakeaway meal: Lebanese flatbreads to share and round loaves to bake at home. If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal multigrain bread, check the packaging; a multigrain mix isn’t confirmed for these products.
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Flatbread for a meal with dips or to share at the table.
The pack contains 6 pieces. Check the latest ingredients and allergen information, as well as the type of salt used, if these affect your choice; a multigrain mix isn’t confirmed.
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An option if you’d like to bake two round loaves for your meal.
The pack contains 2 loaves, each weighing 550 g. Allow time to defrost and bake; before comparing fibre, check the nutritional information is given on a clear, consistent basis. A multigrain mix isn’t confirmed.
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An option if one round loaf is a better fit for the number of portions you need.
This loaf weighs 550 g. Allow time to defrost and bake; before comparing fibre, check the nutritional information is given on a clear, consistent basis. A multigrain mix isn’t confirmed.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain; that doesn’t automatically mean it’s made with wholegrain flour. If that matters to you, look for an explicit wholemeal label.
Compare the stated fibre content on the same basis, such as per 100 g. Use the latest nutritional information for both options; you can’t compare a per-portion figure with a per-100 g figure without knowing the portion size.
You can’t assume that for every loaf. Baker’s salt is iodised salt, but check the ingredients for the option you’ve chosen or ask which salt was used if the bread is unwrapped.
Choose a size to suit the number of portions you need. A half loaf can be handy if it’s available; you can freeze any leftover slices for later.
Yes. A wholemeal label doesn’t tell you what other ingredients a particular option contains. Always read the latest ingredients and allergen information for the bread you’re buying.
