Which choice suits you?

If you want to share bread at the table

A whole hearth loaf can take centre stage on the table. Slice it into pieces to serve with dips, cheese, soup or salad. Consider its shape and size, especially if you’re serving other dishes too.

If you’re watching your wholemeal and fibre intake

A dark colour, seeds or the word multigrain don’t, by themselves, tell you whether bread is wholemeal. Check the product name, ingredients and stated fibre content per 100 g.

If you need to consider guests’ allergies

Before buying, check the allergen information for the exact loaf, including any relevant warnings about the possible presence of other substances. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information; you can’t assess this simply by looking at the seeds on top.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide how you’ll serve the bread and how much you’ll need. Then compare the ingredients, nutritional information and allergen details of the products that suit your serving style.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Shape and seeds Check whether the bread is sold whole, sliced, as a baguette or as rolls, and which seeds are listed. If I want to slice and share bread at the table, I look for a whole loaf that goes with the rest of the meal. For around 25% of consumers, presentation and ease of sharing come first.
Wholemeal and fibre Check the ‘wholemeal’ description, the ingredients and, when comparing products, the fibre content per 100 g. If wholemeal is my priority, I don’t want to rely on a dark colour or the word multigrain alone. This is the most important factor in choosing bread for around 25% of consumers.
Allergens Read the allergen information for the exact product, including any ‘may contain’ statements that are relevant to a guest. If a guest needs to avoid an allergen, I want to know before buying whether this particular loaf is suitable to serve. This check comes first for around 31% of consumers.
Quantity and storage Choose a size that suits your party and the rest of the menu; check the storage and any baking instructions. With several courses, I don’t want to buy a large loaf without a plan for the leftovers. The right quantity is the main consideration for around 19% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming multigrain means wholemeal

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread is made with at least three types of grain. The name doesn’t mean the bread is made entirely from wholemeal flour or tell you how much fibre it contains.

    If wholemeal is your priority, look for the ‘wholemeal’ description, then compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g of the products you’re considering.

  • Judging allergens by the visible topping

    The relevant allergens and warnings vary from one loaf to another. Visible kernels and seeds don’t give you the full picture of the ingredients or the possible presence of other allergens.

    Check the latest information for the exact product. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information before you buy; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that this information must be provided for unpackaged food.

  • Choosing a whole loaf without planning the portions

    A whole loaf works well for sharing at the table, but you may not need that much if your dinner has several courses.

    Compare a whole loaf with a half loaf, baguette or rolls based on the number of guests. If you’re buying ahead, check the storage and any freezing instructions for the product you’ve chosen.

Brands to explore

These supermarket ranges offer a variety of bread shapes. For your dinner, always compare the information for the specific product; a brand name alone tells you nothing about whether a loaf is wholemeal or what allergens it contains.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s online range includes whole multigrain hearth loaves.

  • A whole hearth loaf is ideal for slicing and sharing at the table.
  • Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, so check the latest packaging or product information.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s range includes a half loaf of wholemeal multigrain bread with kernels and seeds.

  • The half-size Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen loaf gives you a specific product to check for ingredients and nutritional information.
  • The allergen information and nutritional values for this variety don’t automatically apply to other Jumbo breads.

Lidl

Lidl lists both a 600 g organic rustic sourdough multigrain loaf with seeds and kernels, and multigrain rolls.

  • These options let you choose between a whole loaf and individual rolls.
  • Sourdough and multigrain don’t automatically mean wholemeal; check the ingredients and allergens for each product.

ALDI

ALDI’s range includes multigrain baguettes with seeds and kernels, as well as various wholemeal breads.

  • A baguette offers a different way to serve bread from a whole hearth loaf.
  • A general description of the range doesn’t confirm the ingredients or allergens of each individual loaf.

PLUS

PLUS lists Korenlanders round bread with several types of seed, as well as a rustic multigrain hearth loaf.

  • Product-specific information lets you check the ingredients and nutritional values for the varieties listed.
  • A rustic name doesn’t mean a loaf is entirely wholemeal; check the ingredients for the variety you choose.

Dirk

Dirk lists whole multigrain hearth loaves, as well as various half-size and bake-at-home options.

  • The different formats are useful when you want to tailor the quantity and serving time to your plans.
  • Check the latest ingredients, allergens and any baking instructions for the loaf you choose.

Bread options on Joybuy

Matching products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread also wholemeal bread?

No, not automatically. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain means bread made with at least three types of grain. If you want to choose wholemeal bread, check the ‘wholemeal’ description and the ingredients for the specific loaf.

How do I check allergens in unpackaged bread?

Before buying, ask for the allergen information for the exact loaf and discuss any substances your guest needs to avoid, including relevant warnings about their possible presence. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergen information must also be available for unpackaged food.

Can I assume bread contains iodised baker’s salt?

No, don’t assume this without checking the specific loaf. Brood.net Professionals describes an agreement on using iodine-containing baker’s salt in Dutch bakeries that produce for the Dutch market; imported and organic products may differ. If iodine is a deciding factor for you, read the ingredients list for the bread you’ve chosen.

Can I buy seeded bread in advance for a dinner party?

Yes, as long as the storage instructions for your chosen bread suit your plans. PLUS says its Licht Meerzaden-rondbrood can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within one month; don’t assume this advice applies to other breads.