When choosing multigrain sourdough bread for a late-night snack, don’t rely on the words ‘multigrain’ or ‘sourdough’ alone. Check whether the ingredients, nutritional values and quantity suit what you want to eat. A whole loaf may be a good choice if you’ll use it later, while rolls or a small loaf are more practical if you only want to open a little at a time. Also check fibre and salt per 100 g, and read the latest allergen information.
You’re looking for bread where the ingredients and nutritional values matter more than a dark colour or seeds on the crust. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means that at least three types of grain have been used; it doesn’t, by itself, mean the bread is wholemeal.
You only eat a small amount late in the evening and don’t want to open a whole loaf each time. Rolls or a small loaf may suit the way you eat better; also check whether the product needs to be baked before serving and how to store it.
Ingredients, salt, iodised salt or allergens are important factors for you. The products described contain cereals with gluten and also list other ingredients or possible allergens. So check the information for the product you’re actually buying.
First decide how much bread you want for this snack and for later; then compare the ingredients and nutritional values of the formats that suit you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check the product description and the proportion of wholemeal flour in the ingredients list. Compare fibre on a like-for-like basis, per 100 g. | If I’m mainly looking for a wholemeal base, I don’t want to rely on a dark crust or the name ‘multigrain’. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Portion size and storage | Check the weight, number of rolls, any baking instructions and storage guidance. | For one late-night snack, I want to open as little bread as possible at a time and be able to store the rest. This matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Sourdough and texture | Check which sourdough and any yeast are listed in the ingredients. Choose a bread size and preparation method that suit the crust you want. | I choose mainly for the sourdough flavour and how I want to eat the bread, without drawing conclusions about the recipe from the word ‘rustic’. Around 21% of consumers give this priority. |
| Allergens and salt | Read the latest allergen information and compare salt per 100 g. Check the ingredients if iodised salt or baker’s salt is relevant to your choice. | If there are ingredients I need to avoid, or I’m watching my salt intake, the label helps determine what I choose. This is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain means that at least three types of grain are used, not that the recipe is entirely wholemeal. A dark colour or seeds on the outside won’t tell you whether it is.
If wholemeal and fibre matter to you, check the product description, ingredients list and fibre per 100 g.
Sourdough doesn’t tell you everything about the recipe. The products described from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list yeast or baker’s yeast as well as sourdough.
Read the full ingredients list if added yeast or a particular type of grain affects your choice.
If you only eat bread occasionally late in the evening, a large loaf may not suit the amount you use.
Compare its weight with that of rolls or a small loaf, and follow the storage instructions if you want to eat some later.
Bread you don’t use in time may go to waste.
Multigrain sourdough bread can contain cereals with gluten and other allergens. Salt levels and whether iodised salt is listed also vary by product; the name won’t tell you this.
Before buying, check the latest ingredients and allergen information, and compare salt levels per 100 g.
These brands offer different bread formats and ranges; compare the information for the specific product before making your choice.
AH OerDesem donker meergranen is a whole, sliced loaf for anyone who wants to eat bread after their snack as well.
Jumbo offers multigrain sourdough rolls for portioned servings, as well as a range of rustic sourdough loaves.
Lidl offers an organic rustic multigrain sourdough loaf with seeds and grains, available to buy in store.
Aldi offers freshly baked multigrain bread, including a half loaf of Boeren wholemeal multigrain bread.
PLUS Korenlanders Kleintje desembrood bruin meergranen is a small, part-baked loaf for anyone looking for a compact size.
Dirk lists multigrain bread and sourdough bread in its range, including multigrain floor-baked loaves and bake-at-home baguettes.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread is made using at least three different types of grain. Check the product description and ingredients list to see whether the bread is also wholemeal; colour and seeds aren’t enough to tell you.
No, sourdough doesn’t rule out added yeast. The multigrain sourdough products described from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS also list yeast or baker’s yeast; check the latest label if you want to avoid it.
Don’t assume so based on the name of the bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine can be added to bread through baker’s salt. Check the ingredients of the product you choose if the use of iodised salt or baker’s salt matters to you.
Before buying, check the information for the specific loaf. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed on labels; allergen information must also be available for unpackaged bread. Look out for cereals with gluten and any other listed ingredients or possible allergens.
Rolls or a small loaf may suit you if you only use a little at a time; a whole loaf is still an option if you can store the rest according to the product instructions. Compare the weight, preparation instructions and storage guidance before choosing.
