Who is this for?

Fibre-conscious label readers

You want to choose wholemeal bread for your Easter lunch, so you compare the product description and fibre per 100 g rather than judging by the colour or seeds.

Hosts planning a warm lunch

You want to serve warm bread and can allow for the equipment and preparation time needed for a part-baked product.

Hosts mindful of allergens

You’re buying bread for several people and want to check the ingredients and up-to-date allergen information for each product before serving.

What should you look for?

First decide whether a wholemeal base is your priority. Then choose a type of bread that suits the time and equipment you have for your Easter lunch.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal base and fibre Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description and compare fibre per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. If I want to make a deliberate choice of wholemeal bread for lunch, I don’t rely on a dark crust or seeds alone. Around 50% of consumers put a verifiable wholemeal base first.
Type of bread and preparation Check whether the bread is ready to serve or needs baking; follow the product’s own preparation instructions for part-baked bread. If you want to serve warm bread, you’ll need time and space to bake it; if you want to add toppings straight away, choose bread that’s ready to serve. Around 33% of consumers put serving style first.
Ingredients and allergens Read the latest ingredients and allergen information. Also check whether iodised salt is listed if that matters to your choice. If I’m serving guests for whom ingredients or allergens are important, I want to know what’s in the specific bread I’ve chosen. This is the top priority for around 17% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark bread with seeds is wholemeal

    According to the Consumers’ Association, ‘multigrain’ means a product contains at least three types of grain; the name doesn’t confirm that the bread is wholemeal.

    Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description, then compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.

  • Choosing part-baked bread without planning how to prepare it

    Part-baked bread can’t be served straight away in the same way as sliced bread. For its wholemeal multigrain baguettes, PLUS gives baking instructions of 8–10 minutes at 220°C in an oven or 5–6 minutes at 200°C in an air fryer.

    Check the instructions for the product you choose and plan to bake it before lunch.

  • Guessing allergens from the name of the bread

    ‘Wholemeal’ and ‘multigrain’ don’t tell you which grains are in a particular loaf or which other allergens it may contain.

    Check the latest allergen information for the bread you’re actually serving, especially if you’re catering for guests.

  • Assuming all bread contains iodised salt

    The fact that iodised salt is listed on one product tells you nothing about the ingredients of other breads.

    Check the ingredients list of the bread you choose if added iodised salt matters to you.

Brands and shops to consider

Albert Heijn

A product page can help you compare the nutritional information for a particular type of bread.

  • Albert Heijn says that AH Zaans multigrain whole loaf is wholemeal multigrain bread containing 7.2 g of fibre and 0.6 g of salt per 100 g.
  • Don’t apply these figures to other breads; check the label and range when you buy.

Jumbo

The multigrain range includes different types of bread that you can compare by product description.

  • Jumbo lists products described as wholemeal multigrain bread, among other options.
  • Not every multigrain product is automatically wholemeal, so check the specific product you choose.

Lidl

Worth considering if you want to compare the fibre content of different breads.

  • Lidl displays a fibre meter based on fibre per 100 g and distinguishes between multigrain bread and wholemeal bread.
  • Fibre content alone doesn’t confirm that a particular multigrain bread is wholemeal.

ALDI

An option if you’re looking for a wholemeal multigrain loaf.

  • ALDI lists a product described as ‘Farmhouse wholemeal multigrain’.
  • Check which types of bread are available in your local shop and read the label for the one you choose.

PLUS

Worth considering if you want to bake wholemeal multigrain baguettes for a warm lunch.

  • PLUS provides ingredients, allergen information and oven and air fryer instructions for its wholemeal multigrain baguettes.
  • The nutritional information given is for the uncooked product; follow the baking instructions on the packaging you choose.

Dirk

An option if you’d like to browse the bread aisle in person.

  • You can compare the product descriptions of the breads available in store.
  • For wholemeal multigrain bread, check both the description and nutritional information on the packaging; a multigrain crispbread isn’t a substitute for this choice of bread.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Consumers’ Association, ‘multigrain’ means the bread contains at least three types of grain; it doesn’t mean it has a wholemeal base. If that’s important for your Easter lunch, look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description, then compare the nutritional information.

How do I compare the fibre and salt in two breads?

Compare the figures for both products per 100 g. Then consider the portion you plan to serve; a general figure for wholemeal bread isn’t a substitute for the nutritional table for the bread you choose.

Can you cook wholemeal multigrain baguettes in an air fryer?

Yes, if the instructions for that particular product say you can. PLUS gives instructions of 5–6 minutes at 200°C in a preheated air fryer for its wholemeal multigrain baguettes; check the packaging of the baguettes you buy.

Which allergens should I check in multigrain bread?

Always check the latest allergen information for the specific bread. According to PLUS, its wholemeal multigrain baguettes contain wheat, rye, barley and oats, and may contain milk, soya and sesame. This doesn’t tell you which allergens are present in another bread.

Does all bread contain iodised salt?

You can’t tell from the type of bread. Check the ingredients list of the product you choose if added iodised salt matters to you when buying.