Who is this choice for?

The shopper topping up who wants to avoid leftovers

Needs bread to last until their next main food shop and is mainly considering a smaller loaf or the option to freeze portions.

The shopper looking for wholemeal

Wants to check which grains are used and how much wholemeal flour the loaf contains, without assuming that ‘multigrain’ means the same as wholemeal.

The shopper who reads labels carefully

Checks the ingredients and allergens for each loaf. If you’re also looking for baker’s salt, the word ‘sourdough’ alone isn’t enough.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, work out how much bread you need. Then check the ingredients of the specific loaf: size, wholemeal flour and allergens are separate considerations.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Size and leftovers Compare the loaf’s weight with the number of meals you have planned. If you want to freeze portions, check the storage instructions. If I only need bread for a short time, I don’t want to be left with a large amount. That’s why around 40% of shoppers make a suitable size their top priority.
Wholemeal and ingredients Look for ‘wholemeal’ and check how much wholemeal flour and white flour are listed in the ingredients. If needed, compare the nutrition information per 100 g. If you choose multigrain for the wholemeal flour or fibre, you’ll want to know what’s actually in the loaf. For around 30% of shoppers, the ingredients come first.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current allergen information and look for baker’s salt if it matters to your choice. I want to check which grains and other ingredients the loaf contains before I buy it. Around 30% of shoppers make this label check their first requirement.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread can also be made with white flour. So the name doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour it contains.

    Check the product name and ingredients list, and compare the nutrition information per 100 g if the ingredients are a deciding factor for you.

  • Assuming sourdough is allergen-free

    Sourdough bread can contain wheat, rye or other gluten-containing grains. Other allergens also vary from product to product.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. Don’t assume a loaf is suitable for a gluten-free diet just because it says ‘sourdough’.

  • Expecting every loaf to contain baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bread is made with baker’s salt. The type of bread or an organic label won’t tell you either way.

    Look for baker’s salt in the ingredients list if it matters to your choice.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a plan for the leftovers

    If you’re only topping up for a short time, a whole loaf may be more than you’ll use before your next main food shop.

    Choose a smaller loaf, or check the storage instructions before you buy if you want to freeze some.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists AH OerDesem dark multigrain as a whole, sliced loaf: a size to consider if you’re planning several meals.

  • Albert Heijn says this OerDesem loaf has a 56-hour proving process.
  • Check the current packaging for ingredients, nutrition information and allergens, as product details can change.

PLUS

The Korenlanders range at PLUS includes a small brown multigrain sourdough loaf and a multigrain buckwheat sourdough loaf.

  • The Korenlanders Kleintje weighs 300 g. PLUS lists 9% sourdough in the ingredients.
  • The ingredients in the Kleintje include gluten-containing grains and soya. Also check the current information for any other possible allergens.

Lidl

Lidl lists a 600 g organic brown multigrain sourdough loaf with seeds and kernels.

  • The stated weight makes it easy to compare this loaf with the meals you have planned.
  • Lidl says it’s available in store. Check availability there, along with the current ingredients and allergen information.

ALDI

ALDI lists Boeren volkoren meergranen as an option if you’re also considering standard multigrain bread.

  • The product name makes clear that it’s wholemeal multigrain bread.
  • Don’t assume it’s sourdough just because it’s multigrain. Check the ingredients if sourdough is a must.

Dirk

Dirk lists both multigrain bread and sourdough bread in its bread range.

  • When you’re doing a quick top-up shop, you can search for each type of bread separately.
  • Check whether the specific loaf you choose is both multigrain and sourdough, and read the current label.

Jumbo

Jumbo has an online grocery range where you can look for a loaf to suit your top-up shop.

  • Use the product name and ingredients information for any loaf you find to check whether it meets your needs.
  • Don’t assume a specific multigrain sourdough loaf is available just because it’s part of the general range.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means the bread contains more than one type of grain; it doesn’t automatically mean it’s made with wholemeal flour. If wholemeal matters to you, check the product name and ingredients list.

Is sourdough bread gluten-free?

No, the word ‘sourdough’ doesn’t mean a loaf is gluten-free. Sourdough bread can contain wheat or rye, for example, so check the ingredients and the gluten-free information for the specific product.

How can I tell whether bread contains baker’s salt?

Look for baker’s salt in the ingredients list. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bread is made with it, so you’ll need to check each product, including multigrain sourdough.

How should I assess a loaf labelled ‘sourdough’?

Start with the ingredients list for that loaf. The word ‘artisan’ doesn’t tell you which flours or allergens it contains. If the ingredients affect your choice, also compare the nutrition information per 100 g.