Families planning snack breaks at home
A whole or half loaf can work for several mealtimes. If you won’t use it all quickly, you can freeze portions. The Voedingscentrum also offers storage advice for opened wholemeal bread.
Who is this for?
Shoppers specifically looking for wholemeal
According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal. For these shoppers, the product description, ingredients and nutritional information matter more than the bread’s colour or visible seeds alone.
Shoppers with changing portion needs
Individual rolls or bake-at-home products may be a better fit for a planned snack break or a small number of people. Albert Heijn and PLUS stock this type of multigrain product.
What should you look for when choosing?
Work out how much bread you expect to use over the holiday. Then compare sizes and check the product description and label if wholemeal or particular ingredients are important to you.
| What to consider | What to check | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Contents and size | Check the net weight and compare whole loaves, half loaves and rolls on the same weight basis. | If I’m buying for several snack breaks, I want to know how much bread I’m actually bringing home. For around 42% of consumers, this comparison comes first. |
| Wholemeal and ingredients | Look for the wholemeal description and check the ingredients, allergens and fibre per 100 g on the label. | I don’t want to rely on a dark colour or seeds if I’m specifically looking for wholemeal bread. Around 33% of consumers put this label check first. |
| Portions and storage | Choose a pack to suit the number of people eating, and check whether you can freeze unused portions in good time. For bake-at-home bread, read the preparation instructions. | If our plans change from one holiday day to the next, I don’t want to be left with more bread than we’ll use. Avoiding leftovers matters most to around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain means wholemeal
The Voedingscentrum describes multigrain bread as bread made with at least three different types of grain. The name alone doesn’t mean the bread is wholemeal.
If you prefer wholemeal, look specifically for that description, then compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.
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Choosing a loaf size without checking the contents
A whole loaf, half loaf and pack of rolls won’t necessarily contain the same amount. The number of snack portions you can get from each can vary too.
Check the net weight and think about how many portions you’ll need for your planned mealtimes.
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Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan
According to the Voedingscentrum, opened wholemeal bread only keeps for a limited time in a kitchen cupboard. A larger loaf may not suit every holiday schedule.
Choose a smaller size if you don’t expect to use much bread, or freeze the loaf in portions after buying it.
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Guessing allergens from the bread’s name
Multigrain products can contain different ingredients. For example, the ingredients in Jumbo Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen Half include several gluten-containing grains.
Check the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for the specific product.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s online range includes multigrain bread in different forms, including rolls and crusty loaves.
- Handy for comparing a large loaf with an individual snack portion.
- Check the weight and ingredients of each product; the shape of the bread alone doesn’t tell you enough.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range includes Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen in a half-loaf size, with ingredients and nutritional information on the product page.
- The explicit wholemeal description and fibre per 100 g make it possible to check this variety.
- Don’t assume all Jumbo multigrain breads have the same ingredients as this product.
Lidl
Lidl lists multigrain options in its in-store range of freshly baked bread.
- If you’re looking for freshly baked bread, you can check what’s available at your local store.
- Lidl says its range may vary by store. Also check the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you choose.
ALDI
ALDI offers Boeren volkoren meergranenbrood in whole and half sizes.
- The two sizes let you choose according to the number of portions you expect to need.
- Check the contents of the pack you choose before comparing sizes with other breads.
PLUS
PLUS offers multigrain rolls, sourdough bread and bake-at-home products, among other options.
- The different types of bread suit a range of snack plans.
- For bake-at-home products, read the preparation instructions and check whether the specific variety is described as wholemeal.
Dirk
Dirk’s search results include half-size multigrain loaves, whole crusty loaves and bake-at-home products.
- You can compare different pack formats with the portions you’re planning.
- Weight, shape and ingredients can vary by product, so compare the options you’re considering individually.
Multigrain products for snack breaks
These Joybuy products include smaller multigrain portions and bread for a planned bake-at-home occasion. Choose a size to suit your snack plans. If you prefer wholemeal, check that the packaging uses that description.
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g'woon Multigrain Triangles 180 g
The triangles are an option if you’re looking for a small pack for snack breaks.
Pack size: 180 g. Check the latest allergen information on the packaging, especially if milk or soya is important to your choice.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette 4 × 135 g
Four individual baguettes are ideal for snack breaks you’ve planned in advance.
The pack contains four 135 g baguettes. Allow time to defrost and bake them, and follow the instructions on the packaging.
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g'woon Multigrain Rolls, 4 pieces
Four individual multigrain rolls may suit smaller snack portions.
Check the net weight on the packaging if you want to compare the pack with other rolls. If you prefer wholemeal, also look for an explicit wholemeal description.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g
This round loaf suits a planned bake-at-home occasion when you want to serve several portions.
Weight: 550 g. Defrosting and baking take a little preparation. Follow the packaging instructions, and check the product description if you’re specifically looking for wholemeal.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain, but that doesn’t automatically make it wholemeal. If you want wholemeal bread, look for an explicit description on the product and read the ingredients.
How should I store bread for several days over the holiday?
Freeze portions after buying the bread if you don’t expect to use them quickly. The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard or 1–3 months in the freezer. For other products, check the storage advice on the packaging too.
Do I need to prepare multigrain bake-at-home bread?
Yes. Make time to prepare bake-at-home bread for your planned snack break. For example, PLUS says its Triangels multigrain bread should be baked for 6–8 minutes in an oven at 220 °C. Always follow the packaging instructions for the product you choose.
Can I assume that all multigrain bread contains iodised baker’s salt?
No, don’t assume this without checking the specific product. Jumbo lists baker’s salt in Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen Half. Check the ingredients of the bread you choose, and contact the manufacturer for clarification if the iodine content is a deciding factor for you.
Where can I check the allergens in multigrain bread?
Read the allergen information on the packaging of the specific loaf. Jumbo Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen Half lists wheat, barley, oats and rye, among other ingredients. The ingredients in another multigrain product may differ.