Fibre-conscious homeworkers
You’re looking for a wholemeal base for lunch and comparing the ingredients and fibre per 100 g, rather than judging by the colour or the word ‘multigrain’ alone.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Lunch planners who like to stock up
You plan bread or rolls around your work-from-home days and pay attention to pack size, storage advice and product-specific freezing instructions.
Shoppers checking for allergens
You need to check which grains and other allergens are in the specific bread you’re buying. As well as gluten-containing grains, multigrain bread may contain ingredients such as sesame, soya or milk.
What should you look for when choosing?
Wholemeal multigrain bread
Suitable for: anyone looking for a wholemeal base with a variety of grains or textures.
Bear in mind: ingredients and allergens vary by product. Wholemeal multigrain bread isn’t automatically suitable for your allergen requirements.
Multigrain bread without a wholemeal label
Suitable for: anyone mainly looking for a particular flavour or texture who checks the ingredients separately.
Bear in mind: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ doesn’t guarantee a wholemeal base.
Standard wholemeal bread
Suitable for: anyone who wants a familiar wholemeal base without specifically looking for multigrain bread.
Bear in mind: it won’t necessarily have the flavour or texture of bread made with several grains or seeds.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal base | Look for the wholemeal label and check which grain products are listed in the ingredients. ‘Multigrain’ alone isn’t enough. | If I’m deliberately looking for wholemeal bread for lunch, I want the name and ingredients to match; around 36% of consumers prioritise a wholemeal base. |
| Nutrition and portion size | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and check the weight of a slice or roll. | When I have bread for lunch regularly, I want to compare the nutritional information with my usual portion. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any warnings about possible traces. | If I need to avoid certain allergens, I must be able to check the bread I choose; around 21% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Storage | Check the pack size, storage advice and whether freezing is recommended for this product. | If I don’t have lunch at home every day, I want to be able to save bread for another work-from-home day. This kind of planning matters most to around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking dark or multigrain bread for wholemeal
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ tells you how many types of grain are used, not whether the whole grain is included. The colour won’t tell you that either.
Look for ‘wholemeal’ first, then compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.
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Forgetting to check allergens in seeded bread
For example, a wholemeal multigrain product from PLUS lists wheat, rye, barley, oats, soya, milk and sesame. That example doesn’t tell you which allergens are in a different loaf.
Every time you buy, read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen.
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Assuming online product information never changes
Product ranges and information can change, even if you’ve bought the same bread before.
Check that the product is available shortly before you buy, and read the current packaging for details of its ingredients.
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Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan
If you only have lunch at home on a few days, a large pack may be left over before you’ve finished it.
Choose a pack size that suits your lunch routine and follow the storage instructions for that product. PLUS specifically says its Korenlanders wholemeal multigrain rolls can be frozen on the day of purchase and used within one month; don’t assume the same applies to other bread.
Brands and shops to explore
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists several types of wholemeal bread online, including hearth-baked loaves and Waldkorn varieties.
- You can compare different types of bread from the range shown.
- Check the current ingredients, allergens and availability of the product you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s online multigrain category includes products labelled wholemeal as well as other multigrain breads.
- The product name can help you find a wholemeal option.
- A product shown previously may no longer be available, so check the current range.
Lidl
Lidl lists a multigrain loaf as an in-store product and provides separate information about the ingredients and allergens in freshly baked bread.
- This information gives you a useful starting point for checking allergens.
- Check the details of the specific loaf and the latest information in store.
ALDI
ALDI lists Boeren wholemeal multigrain bread as an in-store product.
- The product name includes both ‘wholemeal’ and ‘multigrain’.
- Check the packaging in store and confirm that the bread is available there.
PLUS
PLUS lists wholemeal breads and provides ingredients, allergen and nutritional information, as well as storage advice, for its Korenlanders wholemeal multigrain rolls.
- You can use the product details provided to assess these specific rolls.
- PLUS says product information can change, so check the current packaging too.
Dirk
Dirk’s online range includes both multigrain bread and a Multikorn wholemeal option.
- When choosing, you can distinguish between a multigrain name and an explicit wholemeal label.
- Check the variety and current in-store information for each product; Dirk doesn’t list a delivery service for the hearth-baked loaf shown.
Bread options for your work-from-home lunch
These Joybuy products are alternatives for a wholemeal lunch base, including crispbread, flatbread and other types of bread. Assess each according to its own type of bread; this selection isn’t made up exclusively of multigrain bread.
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g'woon Wholemeal Crispbread, 375 g
A crisp base for lunch if you prefer crispbread to soft multigrain bread.
The pack is labelled 375 g. Check the current ingredients, nutritional information and allergens on the packaging.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
Wholemeal flatbread for a lunch where this shape works better than a standard multigrain loaf.
The product name specifies six pieces. Check the allergens and storage instructions on the current packaging.
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Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g
A rye bread option for anyone considering a different type of bread as a base for lunch.
The title refers to a bun, while the product description mentions sliced rye bread. Confirm the type of bread before buying, and only compare fibre once the packaging gives a clear basis for comparison.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
A wholemeal bread option for a planned lunch, if defrosting and baking it fit into your routine.
The product name specifies 550 g. Allow time for preparation and cooling before slicing the bread. Also check the allergens and the basis used for any fibre values on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread is made from at least three types of grain, but the label doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal. Look for the wholemeal label and compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g of the product you choose.
What should I check for allergens in multigrain bread?
Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the specific bread you’re buying. A wholemeal multigrain product from PLUS lists wheat, rye, barley, oats, soya, milk and sesame, among other ingredients, but another product may have a different composition.
Can I freeze bread for several work-from-home days?
Follow the storage advice for the specific bread. PLUS says its Korenlanders wholemeal multigrain rolls can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within one month; this isn’t a general time limit for multigrain bread.
How can I check whether my bread contains baker’s salt?
Check the ingredients list of the bread you want to buy. The words ‘multigrain’ or ‘wholemeal’ alone won’t tell you which type of salt was used in that product.