Who is a half loaf useful for?

Students who eat alone

If you can’t finish a whole loaf before it goes stale, buying half a loaf means you can get a smaller amount. Freeze any slices you won’t use soon.

Students on a tight food budget

Choose an amount that suits your evening meal and the other times you plan to eat bread. Check the weight or number of slices on the packaging.

Shoppers looking specifically for wholemeal bread

The word multigrain doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal. Check the product description and compare the nutritional information for the varieties you’re considering.

What should you look for when choosing?

Work out how much bread you’ll use for your meal and over the following days. Then check the product description and the label on the variety you’ve chosen.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Storing leftovers Work out which slices you’ll eat in time, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the rest. I usually eat alone and don’t want leftover slices to go stale; avoiding waste is the top priority for around 42% of consumers.
How much you need for the meal Check the weight or number of slices, and consider whether you’ll use the bread at other times too. With a tight food budget, I want to choose an amount that suits my meals; around 33% of consumers put planning portions first.
Wholemeal and the label Look for the word wholemeal in the product description. If you have specific dietary or allergy requirements, also read the nutritional information and ingredients list. If I’m looking for wholemeal bread or need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know exactly what’s in this variety; the label is the main priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming multigrain means wholemeal

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain refers to the use of different types of grain; it doesn’t necessarily mean the bread is wholemeal.

    If it matters to you, look for the word wholemeal in the product description. Compare the fibre per 100 g on the labels of the specific varieties.

  • Buying half a loaf without a plan for the rest

    You can still end up with leftover slices, even when you buy half a loaf, if you eat less than expected.

    Once you get home, divide up the loaf and freeze any slices you won’t use soon, following the instructions on the packaging.

  • Relying on the name to check for allergens

    The term multigrain doesn’t tell you which grains or other allergens a particular variety contains.

    Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the bread you’re buying, even if you’ve eaten a similar variety before.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists AH Vloerbrood meergranen half in its online range.

  • A half multigrain loaf to consider.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists, among other options, a half wholemeal multigrain loaf and a half white multigrain loaf.

  • The product descriptions make it easy to tell the two types of bread apart.
  • Don’t assume both varieties have the same wholemeal status or nutritional value.

Lidl

Lidl describes a Halfje donker meergranenbrood weighing 400 g.

  • The stated weight helps you estimate how much you’ll need for your meals.
  • According to Lidl, this variety is only available in store.

ALDI

ALDI lists a Boeren volkoren meergranenbrood in a half-loaf size.

  • The product name specifies both that it’s half a loaf and that it’s wholemeal multigrain.
  • Check the current label for the ingredients and allergens in the bread in store.

PLUS

PLUS describes Waldkorn donker half as a half wholemeal multigrain loaf.

  • The product description makes the wholemeal status of this variety clear.
  • Check the ingredients on the packaging you choose if you’re concerned about allergens.

Dirk

Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half as a separate loaf.

  • The half-loaf size suits anyone who wants to buy less bread at a time.
  • Check the weight, product description and nutritional information on the packaging.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread always wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains different types of grain, but it doesn’t have to be wholemeal. Check the product description for the variety you’re choosing.

How should I store slices I won’t eat straight away?

Store bread somewhere dry and dark, and freeze any slices you won’t eat in time, following the instructions on the packaging. For its Korenlanders Rond Waldkorn half, PLUS recommends freezing it on the day of purchase and using it within one month.

Can half a multigrain loaf contain allergens?

Yes. The grains and other allergens present vary from product to product. Always check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety you’re buying.

Why does the label sometimes say baker’s salt?

According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. Check the ingredients list to see whether your chosen bread contains iodised salt or baker’s salt.