Snack makers who want to slice their own bread
You want to match the size of the bread pieces to the toppings and presentation. Check whether a whole loaf is unsliced, or choose a loaf shape you can slice yourself after baking.
Who should consider this?
Shoppers comparing wholemeal bread and fibre
You’re looking for a wholemeal base and don’t want to rely on the word ‘multigrain’ alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that multigrain bread can also be made with white flour, so check the product description, ingredients and fibre per 100 g.
Shoppers checking allergens for guests
You want to know which ingredients and allergens are in the specific loaf before serving it. Read the current packaging, including any warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.
What should you look for?
First decide whether you want to slice the bread yourself or use pre-sliced bread. Then check whether it is labelled wholemeal and review the ingredients of the loaf you’re actually buying.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slicing it yourself | Ask whether the bread is pre-sliced; check the slices or choose a loaf shape you can slice yourself after baking. | If I want to match the portions to my toppings, I want to be able to choose the slice thickness myself. An estimated 44% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check whether the bread is labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g in similar loaves. | For my snack, I want to know whether the bread is genuinely wholemeal, rather than assuming this from the word ‘multigrain’ alone. An estimated 33% of consumers put this question first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings on the packaging. | When I’m buying bread for guests, I need to be able to check whether the ingredients are suitable for them. An estimated 23% of consumers say this is their top priority when buying. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain means wholemeal
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means that at least three types of grain are used. The word doesn’t mean that the bread is made with wholemeal flour.
Look for a wholemeal label, read the ingredients and, if you like, compare the fibre per 100 g.
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Assuming a whole loaf is unsliced
‘Whole’ can describe the size of the loaf. For example, PLUS explicitly says that its Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel loaf is sliced.
Check how the bread is sliced before you buy it. If you want to choose the slice thickness yourself, pick a loaf you can actually slice yourself.
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Relying only on online allergen information
Ingredients can change, so an old product description isn’t a substitute for checking the packaging of the bread you’re serving.
When you buy the bread, read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any warnings on the current packaging.
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Buying more fresh bread than you need
You may have portions left over after a one-off event.
Match the quantity to the number of snack portions you’re planning. Divide any bread you want to freeze into handy portions beforehand.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel.
- The product page provides information you can use to compare ingredients and nutritional values.
- Albert Heijn warns that product information can change. Read the packaging and check separately how the bread is sliced.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists products including Stevig Meergranen and wholemeal multigrain breads.
- For Stevig Meergranen, you can use the listed ingredients and nutritional information to assess the bread.
- The name Stevig Meergranen doesn’t give you a measurable slice thickness or indicate how much topping the bread can support.
Lidl
Lidl describes its Meergranenbrood as bread containing, among other things, wheat, barley and buckwheat.
- The grains listed can help you decide whether this type of bread suits the snack you have in mind.
- Before buying this specific loaf, check the current ingredients, allergens and slicing information.
ALDI
ALDI lists products including boeren volkoren meergranenbrood and a meergranenstokbrood.
- The different bread shapes give you a starting point for comparing a whole loaf with a baguette.
- Check whether you can slice the product yourself; its shape doesn’t confirm a particular slice thickness.
PLUS
PLUS lists products including Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel and wholemeal multigrain baguettes to bake at home.
- For the round loaf, you can check the listed ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
- PLUS describes that whole round loaf as sliced. So don’t assume that ‘whole’ means unsliced if you want to cut thick slices yourself.
Dirk
Dirk lists products including Bakker van der Akker multigrain bread in whole and half sizes, as well as a multigrain baguette to bake at home.
- The shape of the bread is a useful starting point when planning portions for a Christmas market snack.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and slicing information for your chosen loaf on the current packaging.
Multigrain bread at Joybuy
These products are baguettes to bake at home and round loaves that you can slice yourself after baking. Check the baking instructions on the packaging, then decide whether the slices you cut are suitable for your toppings.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g × 2
A baguette to bake at home, ideal if you want to slice it yourself after baking.
Let the bread cool according to the product instructions before slicing. Allow time for defrosting and baking; check the current packaging for preparation instructions and allergen information. This doesn’t guarantee a particular slice thickness or that the bread can support generous toppings.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g
A baguette to bake at home, ideal if you want to slice it yourself after baking.
Let the bread cool according to the product instructions before slicing. Allow time for defrosting and baking; check the current packaging for baking times and allergen information. This doesn’t guarantee a particular slice thickness or that the bread can support generous toppings.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g × 2
A round loaf for anyone who wants to slice it themselves after baking.
The bread needs to be defrosted, baked and cooled before slicing. Check the current packaging for baking times and allergen information. Try out your preferred slice thickness before assuming the slices can support generous toppings.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g
A round loaf for anyone who wants to slice it themselves after baking.
Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling. Check the current packaging for baking times and allergen information. Try out your preferred slice thickness before assuming the slices can support generous toppings.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain, but it can also be made with white flour. If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, check the product description and ingredients.
Will I get thick slices if I buy a whole loaf?
Not necessarily: ‘whole’ doesn’t tell you whether the bread is unsliced. PLUS even states that its Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel loaf is sliced. Ask how it’s sliced or choose a loaf you can slice yourself.
How long can I keep wholemeal bread for my Christmas market snacks?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard, or 1 to 3 months in the freezer. Freeze any portions you want to use later in good time, and bear in mind that quality may deteriorate during longer storage.
Which allergens should I check when serving bread to guests?
Check the allergen information on the current packaging for the specific loaf. Multigrain products may contain cereals containing gluten or sesame, for example; also look for any warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.
Can I tell from the name ‘multigrain bread’ whether it contains iodine?
No, the name ‘multigrain bread’ doesn’t tell you that. Read the current ingredients list and ask the manufacturer for product-specific information if you want to know the iodine content of a particular loaf.