For snack night, choose half a multigrain loaf that you can use up or freeze in portions. Then check the label: ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘wholemeal’, and ingredients, fibre, salt and allergens vary from loaf to loaf.
Do you only have bread with your snack-night food now and then, and are there just one or two of you? A half loaf means fewer slices to use up at a time. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it if you won’t use it quickly.
Are you making a toastie or a sandwich and want to know what flour it contains? According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread can also be made with refined flour. Check the ingredients and compare the fibre per 100 g.
Are allergens, salt or iodised bakers’ salt important to you? Check the information for the specific loaf. The name ‘multigrain bread’ doesn’t tell you which allergens or type of salt it contains.
Start by thinking about how much bread you’ll use that evening and over the following days. Then compare the flour base and label information on half loaves that are the right size for you.
| What to consider | What to check | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Size and storage | Check that it really is half a loaf, and look at the weight or number of portions. Freeze any slices you won’t use soon in portions. | If I only make a sandwich or toastie now and then, I don’t want to open more slices than I can use up. For around 42% of consumers, size and storage are the top priorities. |
| Flour base and fibre | Check which flour is listed in the ingredients and compare the stated fibre per 100 g; don’t rely on colour or visible seeds alone. | For snack night, I’m looking for half a loaf where I can see whether it contains wholemeal flour and how much fibre it provides. Around 33% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Allergens, salt and iodine | Read the current ingredients and allergen information. Compare the salt per 100 g and check whether bakers’ salt or iodised salt is listed. | If certain ingredients or the type of salt are a deciding factor for me, I need to check the loaf itself rather than rely on its name. This is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Bread made with several types of grain doesn’t have to use an entirely wholemeal flour base. Albert Heijn lists AH Vloerbrood meergranen half as containing 30% wholemeal wheat flour and 30% wheat flour.
If the flour base matters to your choice, check the ingredients and compare the fibre per 100 g.
Even with half a loaf, you may have slices left over if you only use it on a few evenings.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it, then taking out what you need. You can also toast any slices you still have or use them for a toastie.
The name ‘multigrain bread’ doesn’t tell you which salt was used in a specific loaf.
For packaged bread, check the current ingredients list for a mention of ‘bakers’ salt’ or ‘iodised salt’.
The grains, seeds and other ingredients vary from one variety to another. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must be clearly stated on the label.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information for every loaf, including any ‘may contain’ statement.
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Vloerbrood meergranen half.
Jumbo lists both Waldkorn Meergranen Brood Half and Jumbo Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen Half.
Lidl lists a 400 g Halfje donker meergranenbrood.
ALDI also lists Boeren volkoren meergranenbrood as a half-loaf option.
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half.
PLUS lists multigrain loaves, including Korenlanders Kleintje desembrood bruin meergranen.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread can also be made with refined flour. If you’re looking for a wholemeal flour base, check both the product name and the ingredients list.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it, then taking out only the slices you need. You can toast any slices you still have or use them for a toastie.
Check the ingredients list on the specific packaged loaf for a mention of ‘bakers’ salt’ or ‘iodised salt’. Don’t assume it’s there based on the name of the bread.
Check the complete, up-to-date allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen, including any ‘may contain’ statement. The loaves covered here vary in their grains and other ingredients, including sesame and soya.
