Who is half a loaf useful for?

Small households eating pea soup

If you only have a few slices with your meal, half a loaf may be a better fit for what you’ll eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing bread you want to use later in portions straight away.

Shoppers comparing wholemeal flour and fibre

The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour a loaf contains. So check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g on the label, even if the loaf is dark or contains seeds.

Shoppers with questions about ingredients

If allergens, salt or iodised salt matter to your choice, read the information on the packaging of the loaf you’re buying. It can vary from one variety to another.

What should you look for when choosing?

Work out how many slices you’ll have with your pea soup and what you’ll do with the rest. Then compare the ingredients of the half loaves you’re considering.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Quantity and storage Check that it really is half a loaf and look at the weight. Freeze slices you want to eat later in portions straight away, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. If I only need a few slices with pea soup, I don’t want the rest to go unused. For around 42% of consumers, getting the right quantity comes first.
Wholemeal flour and fibre Look for the ‘wholemeal’ designation, read the ingredients list and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. I want to choose my bread based on its ingredients, not just its dark colour or seeds. Around 33% of consumers give wholemeal flour and fibre top priority.
Ingredients and labelling Check the allergens and salt per 100 g on the packaging you choose. If it’s relevant to you, also check whether iodised salt is listed in the ingredients. If I need to avoid an ingredient or check for iodised salt, the label tells me whether this loaf meets my needs. For around 25% of consumers, this check comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark bread or seeds mean it’s wholemeal

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ tells you which types of grain have been used, not how much wholemeal flour the loaf contains. The colour and visible seeds don’t tell you that either.

    Check for the ‘wholemeal’ designation, read the ingredients list and compare the fibre per 100 g.

  • Buying half a loaf without a plan for the rest

    You can still have slices left over, even with half a loaf. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread among the product groups wasted in Dutch households.

    Use what you need for your meal and freeze the remaining slices in portions straight away.

  • Assuming every multigrain loaf contains iodised salt

    The fact that a loaf is multigrain doesn’t tell you which salt is used in that particular variety. For example, Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for AH Zaans meergranen half; don’t assume the same applies to other loaves.

    Read the ingredients list on the packaging you choose, or ask the shop or baker about that specific loaf.

Brands to consider

This brand information can help you compare half-size packs and the label details available; the loaves listed don’t all have the same ingredients.

Albert Heijn

AH Zaans meergranen half is described as a half-size wholemeal multigrain loaf.

  • The product information includes details such as ingredients, allergens, fibre, salt and iodised salt.
  • Albert Heijn lists the variety described as no longer in its range and warns that product information can change. Check which variety is available and read the packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen Half is a half-size wholemeal multigrain loaf with seeds.

  • The product information lists wholemeal flour and gives fibre and salt per 100 g.
  • Check the current ingredients and allergens on the packaging you choose; the name and seeds are no substitute for this.

Lidl

Lidl describes Halfje donker meergranenbrood as a 400 g loaf.

  • The stated weight lets you compare the pack with the amount of bread you need.
  • According to Lidl, this variety is only available in store. Check the label there if the ingredients, allergens or nutritional value are important to your choice.

ALDI

ALDI describes Boeren volkoren meergranen Half as a half-size loaf.

  • The product name makes clear that it’s a half-size pack and is labelled ‘wholemeal’.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the packaging before comparing this variety with another loaf.

Dirk

Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half as a half-size multigrain loaf.

  • The half-size pack suits a meal where you don’t need a whole loaf.
  • Use the information on the packaging you choose to compare fibre, salt and allergens.

PLUS

PLUS offers a range of different multigrain loaves.

  • The range includes multigrain options you can compare by type of loaf.
  • Check the product name and weight if you’re specifically looking for half a loaf; not every multigrain option is a half-size variety.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal bread?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means the bread contains at least three types of grain; it doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour it contains. If you want wholemeal bread, check the designation and ingredients list for that specific loaf.

What should I do with the slices left over after pea soup?

Freeze any slices you won’t use soon in portions straight away. That way, you can take only the amount you need from the freezer later; also follow the storage instructions on the packaging.

Does every half-size multigrain loaf contain iodised salt?

No, you can’t tell from the type of bread or pack size. AH Zaans meergranen half lists iodised salt, but check the ingredients on the packaging you choose for every other loaf.

Can I rely on the name of the bread if I have allergies?

No. Read the allergen information for the exact variety you’re buying, including any warnings on the packaging. The ingredients in multigrain loaves vary from product to product.