Choose a half loaf of multigrain bread if you eat only a few slices a week and don’t want to freeze portions straight away. If you do freeze portions, a whole loaf could also suit an irregular week working from home. If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread, check the description on the loaf and compare the fibre per 100 g: multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal. Check the ingredients for allergens and iodised baker’s salt for the specific variety you’re buying.
If you don’t have bread for lunch every day, a half loaf means you’ll have less bread open at once. Freezing a whole loaf in lunch-sized portions is another option if it works better for your week.
For you, a wholemeal description matters more than visible seeds alone. Also check the nutritional information for the fibre content per 100 g.
If allergens or iodised baker’s salt affect your choice, check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact loaf you’re buying. Don’t rely solely on the type of bread or the shop.
First, work out how many slices you’ll eat during your week working from home. Then compare the wholemeal description, nutritional information and ingredients for each loaf.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size and storage | Check that it’s a half loaf and look at the weight or number of portions. Think about which slices you’ll eat straight away and which you’ll freeze. | If you have lunch at home on different days each week, you won’t want to have more bread open than you need. Around 33% of consumers say this is their main consideration. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for a wholemeal description and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. | If wholemeal bread is my main priority, I don’t want to rely on the word “multigrain” alone. This is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Taste and texture | Read the description of the crust and texture, and check which seeds or grains are listed in the ingredients. | I want bread that goes well with my toppings and has a texture I enjoy at lunchtime. This is the most important factor for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information. Also check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed if that matters to your choice. | If you need to avoid a particular ingredient or want to know which type of salt is used, you’ll need clear information about the exact variety. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain. The name doesn’t mean the bread is made entirely from wholemeal flour.
Check the wholemeal description, ingredients and fibre per 100 g. A dark colour or visible seeds aren’t a substitute for this information.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers aren’t required to make bread with baker’s salt. So the type of bread alone won’t tell you which type of salt has been used.
Check the label to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed in the ingredients.
You could still have bread left over, even with a half loaf, if your lunches at home don’t go to plan or you don’t freeze it in time.
Estimate how many slices you’ll eat over the next few days. Freeze the rest in portions in good time, or consider buying a whole loaf and freezing it in portions straight away.
Ingredients and potential allergens vary between multigrain loaves. You can’t tell the full ingredients from the seeds you can see.
For allergen information, check the current packaging or product information for the exact variety.
These shops offer half-size multigrain options to get you started. Compare the specific loaf, not just the shop name.
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Vloerbrood meergranen half.
Jumbo offers both a half Waldkorn multigrain loaf and Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen Half.
Lidl offers Halfje donker meergranenbrood, weighing 400 g.
ALDI lists Boeren volkoren meergranen Half as a half-size option.
PLUS lists Korenlanders Rond licht meerzaden half, weighing 400 g.
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half.
After buying it, freeze any slices you won’t use soon in portions, then take out only what you need for each lunch. For opened wholemeal bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives a guideline of 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer. Follow the storage instructions on your loaf’s packaging too.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain refers to at least three types of grain; it doesn’t automatically mean the bread is made with wholemeal flour. Look for a wholemeal description and, if needed, compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says there’s no legal requirement to use baker’s salt in bread. Check the ingredients list for your chosen variety if the type of salt used is important to you.
No. You can’t tell how much fibre bread contains from its dark colour. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check the wholemeal description for the specific loaves.
