Multigrain Bread After Moving House: Wholemeal & Fibre Checks

Who is this relevant to?

Students looking for wholemeal bread and fibre

You’re looking for multigrain bread for a change, but want to check whether it’s wholemeal too. The wording on the packaging and the fibre per 100 g make it easier to compare specific loaves.

Small households looking to store bread

You’re shopping for one or a few people after moving house. Choosing a suitable loaf size or freezing bread in portions can make it easier to fit around changing meal times.

Shoppers who need to check ingredients

You want to know which grains and allergens are in the bread before you buy it. Check the current packaging, or ask for allergen information if the bread is sold loose.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by deciding whether you want wholemeal bread. Then choose a size you can finish or store, and check the ingredients of the specific variety you’re buying.

What to consider	What to check when buying	Who is this important for?
Wholemeal and fibre	Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information.	If wholemeal is my priority, I don’t want to judge by the dark colour or visible seeds alone. For around 50% of consumers, having both wholemeal status and a comparable fibre content comes first.
Portions and storage	Check the size and storage instructions. For bake-at-home bread, also check how it needs to be prepared.	In my new household, I may not get through a whole loaf quickly and want to be able to store portions. Around 30% of consumers say that finding a suitable amount and avoiding unnecessary waste is their top priority.
Ingredients and type of salt	Read the current ingredients and allergen information. If needed, look for ‘iodised salt’ or ‘baker’s salt’.	If an ingredient or allergen is important to me, I need to check the specific variety rather than rely on the bread’s name. For around 20% of consumers, knowing this information in advance is the main priority.

Common mistakes

Assuming dark bread or seeds mean it’s wholemeal

According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ tells you how many types of grain are used, not whether the bread is made with wholemeal flour.

First look for ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging, then compare the fibre per 100 g.
Buying a whole loaf without a plan for storing it

If you eat bread on your own or with just a few people, a whole loaf may be more than you can finish in time.

You could choose half a loaf, rolls or a bake-at-home variety instead. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it if you want to store it in the freezer.

Without suitable portions, any bread you don’t eat in time may end up being thrown away.
Relying on the bread’s name to check for allergens

The grains and other allergens used can vary from one variety to another. A label such as ‘wholemeal multigrain’ doesn’t tell you everything about the ingredients.

For packaged bread, read the current allergen information. If the bread is sold loose, ask what information is available before you buy it.
Assuming every loaf contains the same type of salt

Products can differ in the type of salt listed in the ingredients. You can’t tell from the type of bread alone whether iodised salt or baker’s salt has been used.

Check the ingredients list for the loaf you choose if this information matters to your purchase.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists a wholemeal multigrain Waldkorn loaf, along with nutritional information and storage advice.

For this variety, Albert Heijn lists 7,4 g of fibre per 100 g and explains how to freeze it at home.
Before buying, check the current packaging and allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen.

Jumbo

Jumbo provides product information for a wholemeal multigrain loaf, so you can check the ingredients and nutritional values.

Jumbo lists 7,8 g of fibre per 100 g for this loaf.
Check which loaf is actually available to buy and compare the information on its packaging. The product page mentioned doesn’t guarantee current availability.

ALDI

ALDI lists farmhouse wholemeal multigrain bread in both whole and half loaves.

A half loaf can be a good size if you’d rather buy less bread at a time.
To compare fibre, ingredients and allergens, check the label on the specific variety.

PLUS

PLUS lists both wholemeal multigrain rolls and a wholemeal multigrain bake-at-home baguette.

The product information for the bake-at-home baguette lists 7 g of fibre per 100 g and includes preparation instructions.
Ingredients and allergens vary by product type, so check the rolls and baguettes separately.

Dirk

At Dirk, you can look through the multigrain range for varieties specifically labelled as wholemeal.

The product listings distinguish standard multigrain bread from a Multikorn wholemeal variety.
Use the current packaging to compare fibre and allergens; the name alone won’t tell you this information.

Lidl

Lidl lists fresh bread and uses a fibre meter on packaged loaves.

The fibre meter can help you find the stated amount of fibre per 100 g on a packaged loaf.
For each loaf, also check whether it’s labelled as wholemeal, along with the ingredients and allergens. ‘Multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that it’s wholemeal.

Joybuy products

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain, while the word ‘wholemeal’ means the bread is made with 100% wholemeal flour. So if you specifically want wholemeal multigrain bread, look for both labels.

How do I compare the fibre in different loaves?

Once you’ve checked which loaves are wholemeal, compare the stated fibre per 100 g for each specific product. Albert Heijn lists 7,4 g per 100 g for a wholemeal multigrain Waldkorn loaf; PLUS lists 7 g per 100 g for its wholemeal multigrain bake-at-home baguette. Use the information on the current packaging when you buy.

What should I do with bread I won’t eat quickly?

If you want to store bread, freeze it in portions as soon as you buy it, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises, and take out what you need. Half a loaf or rolls may also suit you better if you prefer to buy less at a time. With a bake-at-home variety, remember to allow for the preparation time.

Does all multigrain bread contain iodised salt?

You can’t tell from the name ‘multigrain bread’. The Dutch regulation published via Overheid.nl describes the addition of iodine to bread through baker’s salt; it doesn’t confirm that every individual loaf contains iodised salt. Check the ingredients list for the variety you choose.

How do I check allergens in packaged or loose bread?

For packaged bread, read the current allergen information on the label. If the bread is sold loose, ask what information is available before you buy it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the requirement to list allergens in food. Check the specific variety, as multigrain breads can contain different grains and other ingredients.