If whole grains and fibre come first
You’re looking for seeded bread, but you give greater weight to the wholemeal label and nutritional information than to the colour or seeds on the crust.
Who are these choices relevant to?
If you’re serving bread to several guests
You want to match the texture of the seeds and the shape of the bread to the toppings and the size of your lunch, perhaps choosing a whole loaf, half a loaf or rolls.
If you’re catering for dietary requirements or allergies
You’re also choosing for a guest who needs to avoid gluten or has a relevant food allergy. In that case, the labelling, ingredients and allergen information for the specific bread are what matter.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether wholemeal or a dietary requirement is the priority. Then compare the loaf shape and quantity for your Easter lunch.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label, read the ingredients and compare the fibre content per 100 g. | If wholemeal is a priority for my lunch, I don’t want to rely on visible seeds alone. Around 36% of consumers put this need first. |
| Texture and loaf shape | Check the seed mix and choose between a whole or half loaf and rolls. | When I’m serving bread for guests to share at the table, the combination of texture and shape matters to me. Around 29% of consumers put this need first. |
| Gluten and allergens | Check the specific product for a gluten-free label, allergens and any ‘may contain’ information. | When I’m buying for a guest with a dietary requirement or allergy, the bread needs to meet their needs. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Quantity and storage | Compare the weight with the number of guests and read the storage instructions in case there’s any bread left over. | For a small Easter lunch, I don’t want lots of bread left over. Around 14% of consumers prioritise choosing the right quantity. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming seeds or a dark colour mean the bread is wholemeal
Multiseed bread can also contain wheat flour. For example, PLUS lists both 30% wholemeal wheat flour and 22% wheat flour in its Licht Meerzaden bread.
If you specifically want wholemeal bread, check the product labelling. To compare fibre, look at the nutritional information per 100 g.
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Only checking the seed mix when someone has an allergy
Seeded bread may also contain cereals containing gluten, soya or sesame. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, breadcrumbs can also be a concern for people with coeliac disease because of cross-contamination.
Read the current allergen information for the bread you buy. Use separate, clean knives and utensils for gluten-free bread and toppings.
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Choosing a whole loaf without planning the portions
A whole loaf may be more than you need for a small lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread among the foods that are often wasted.
Choose a loaf size to suit the number of guests and the rest of the food. Read the storage instructions before freezing any leftover bread.
Relevant retailers and bread ranges
Albert Heijn
The bread range includes multigrain, wholemeal and gluten-free options, among others.
- Offers different types of bread to compare for Easter lunch.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each bread you choose.
Jumbo
Its range includes gluten-free multiseed bread made with tapioca starch, with linseeds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
- Worth a look if you need bread clearly labelled gluten-free.
- This bread contains soya and may contain almonds, egg and milk; check the packaging for the guest you’re buying for.
Lidl
Its range includes a 600 g organic brown sourdough multigrain loaf with seeds.
- A rustic loaf for anyone who wants to serve seeds and sourdough at the table.
- For freshly baked bread, check the ingredients and allergen information; a photo or the name of the bread isn’t enough.
ALDI
The fresh bread range includes wholemeal and multigrain bread, among other options.
- Options such as whole and half loaves make it easier to choose a quantity to suit your guests.
- If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, check the labelling and ingredients of each specific multigrain loaf.
PLUS
The Korenlanders range includes Licht Meerzaden whole loaves and wholemeal multigrain rolls, among other products.
- Ingredients and nutritional information are available for Licht Meerzaden, making it easier to compare.
- This bread contains cereals containing gluten, soya and sesame; also read the ‘may contain’ information.
Dirk
The bread range includes multiseed, multigrain and wholemeal bread, hearth-baked loaves and rolls, among other options.
- Different bread shapes make it easy to choose an option for your lunch.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for the specific product you buy.
Seeded bread at Joybuy
This round seeded multigrain loaf is a good fit for an Easter lunch where you want to share bread and have time to defrost and bake it at home.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g
A round loaf to share at Easter lunch, provided you can defrost and bake it beforehand.
The seeds listed are sunflower seeds, linseeds and hulled sesame seeds. The ingredients also include wheat flour, so don’t assume it’s wholemeal just because it’s called multigrain.
The bread contains wheat and sesame. If you have allergies, check the full allergen and ‘may contain’ information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if seeded bread is wholemeal?
Check whether the bread is explicitly labelled wholemeal, then read the ingredients and nutritional information. Multigrain labelling and visible seeds don’t, on their own, tell you how much wholemeal flour or fibre the bread contains.
Which type of bread should I choose for a small Easter lunch?
Choose a whole or half loaf, or individual rolls, to suit the number of guests and the other food on the table. If there’s any bread left over, follow the storage instructions for the product you’ve chosen.
Is seeded bread suitable for a guest with coeliac disease or an allergy?
Seeds don’t make ordinary bread gluten-free or free from other allergens. If someone needs a gluten-free diet, choose a product clearly labelled gluten-free, check the allergen information for that guest and avoid contact with breadcrumbs when serving.
Does every loaf contain the same amount of iodine because baker’s salt is used?
No. Using baker’s salt doesn’t mean every loaf contains the same amount of iodine. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bread because baker’s salt is added. For information about a specific loaf, check the product details.