For a student who has just moved into shared accommodation, regular multigrain bread can be a stepping stone for fussy eaters. But the name doesn’t mean the bread is wholemeal. If you want a wholemeal option, check that it’s labelled as such and compare the fibre per 100 g. Choose an amount your household will get through, and check the allergens for the specific bread.
Would you and your housemates like to try a different bread without going straight for a strong-tasting wholemeal option? Compare regular multigrain bread with a loaf explicitly labelled wholemeal. According to the Voedingscentrum, the term ‘multigrain’ on its own doesn’t mean a bread is wholemeal.
If fibre is the deciding factor for you, check the wholemeal label and the nutritional information per 100 g. Also check the salt and allergens on the packaging of the bread you choose.
Do you live alone, or does the number of housemates eating with you vary? Half a loaf, or a loaf that the packaging says can be frozen, may suit your storage needs better than a whole loaf that gets left uneaten.
First decide what matters most for your new household: a wholemeal option, bread everyone will eat or a suitable quantity. Then compare the labels on the specific products.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare fibre per 100 g. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal. | If I want to compare the fibre in bread for my lunch, I need clear labelling and nutritional information. This matters most to around 31% of consumers. |
| Taste and texture | Check which grains and seeds are listed, and compare a regular multigrain option with a wholemeal one. Don’t judge the ingredients by the colour. | My housemates will only finish the bread if they like the taste and texture. This transition is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Size and storage | Compare a half loaf with a whole loaf, and follow the storage instructions for the product you choose. | When I don’t yet know how much bread we’ll eat together, I don’t want a whole loaf to go uneaten. Around 25% of consumers prioritise finding a suitable quantity. |
| Availability | Check whether the option you want is available at your shop, and check the label there. | After moving, I want to be able to find a suitable everyday option at the shop where I do my food shopping. For around 19% of consumers, this is the most important practical consideration. |
According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain. The name and a dark colour don’t mean that the whole grain has been used.
If you want a wholemeal option, look for an explicit wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g.
According to the Voedingscentrum and Brood.net Professionals, using iodised baker’s salt when baking bread is not compulsory in the Netherlands.
Check the ingredients list of the bread you choose to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed.
The grains, seeds and other ingredients used vary from loaf to loaf. A previous purchase won’t tell you which allergens are present in a different variety.
Read the allergen information on the packaging of the exact bread you’re buying, even if you already know the same type of bread.
If your eating routine varies, some of a whole loaf may go uneaten. The Voedingscentrum lists bread as a product that is often wasted.
Consider buying half a loaf, or follow the freezing instructions on the packaging if the product is suitable for freezing.
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel (whole multigrain artisan-style loaf).
Lidl describes a multigrain loaf containing, among other ingredients, wheat, barley and buckwheat.
ALDI lists Boeren volkoren meergranenbrood (farmhouse wholemeal multigrain bread) in half and whole loaf sizes.
PLUS lists several multigrain breads, including one explicitly labelled wholemeal.
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen (Bakker van der Akker Bakkers multigrain bread) in a half loaf size.
These rolls and loaves are options if you’re considering regular multigrain bread for your new household. If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread, check the packaging for that label before choosing.
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Four individual rolls may suit you if you want to buy a set amount for a small household. Check the packaging for a wholemeal label if that matters to you.
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Four individual baguettes let you plan how much you need for each meal. Bear thawing and baking in mind. If you’re looking for a wholemeal option, check the packaging and compare the nutritional values per 100 g.
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A 550 g round loaf calls for different storage planning from individual rolls. Bear thawing and baking in mind, and check the packaging to make sure the loaf meets your wholemeal and allergen requirements.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain, but the name doesn’t mean the whole grain has been used. Look for an explicit wholemeal label if you want to choose wholemeal bread.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum and Brood.net Professionals, using iodised baker’s salt when baking bread in the Netherlands isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients list for the specific bread to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed.
Always check the allergen information for the exact product. Ingredients vary from loaf to loaf; for example, a wholemeal multigrain option described by PLUS contains wheat, barley, oats and sesame.
Follow the instructions for the bread you buy. For one whole multigrain loaf, PLUS says it can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within a month. Don’t assume the same storage period applies to another product.
