If you want a wholemeal base for lunch, choose bread that is explicitly labelled wholemeal: seeds alone don’t guarantee this. If you’re mainly looking for a hearty texture, seeded multigrain bread could be a good fit. Before taking your chosen bread for lunch, check the ingredients, allergen information and any preparation instructions.
You’re looking for bread labelled wholemeal, then comparing the fibre content in the nutritional information. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; seeds don’t replace that base.
You want a hearty-textured bread for your lunch filling. Check which seeds and kernels are listed for the specific bread, then decide separately whether you also want a wholemeal base.
Before buying, you check the allergen information if ingredients such as sesame, cereals containing gluten or soya are relevant to you. If you also want to know whether baker’s salt has been used, check the details for the bread you’ve chosen.
First, decide whether wholemeal is a must for you. Then choose the seeds and type of bread you want, and check the information that matters for your lunch before buying.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and compare fibre content on the same basis, for example per 100 g. | If you want a wholemeal bread roll for lunch, don’t choose based on visible seeds alone. Around 37% of consumers say they prioritise a wholemeal base and fibre. |
| Seeds and texture | Read which seeds and kernels are listed, and choose a type of bread that works with your filling. | If you want a hearty filled roll, you may care more about texture than the wholemeal label; around 27% of consumers put texture and taste first. |
| Type of bread and availability | Check whether you’re choosing a whole loaf, half a loaf or a roll, and whether it’s available at your chosen shop. | If you want to pick up lunch straight away, you may mainly be looking for a convenient type of bread to take with you. For around 18% of consumers, convenience matters most. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the allergen information; if needed, also check whether baker’s salt is listed. | If certain ingredients matter to you, you’ll want to check them before buying. Around 18% of consumers put this check ahead of other criteria. |
‘Multigrain’ and ‘with seeds’ don’t mean the same as ‘wholemeal’. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
If a wholemeal base is essential to you, look for the word ‘wholemeal’ first; then choose based on seeds and taste.
A seed mix may contain sesame. Albert Heijn lists sesame, cereals containing gluten and soya among the ingredients in AH Les Pains Bastille; don’t assume the same ingredients are used in other breads.
For packaged bread, read the label. For unwrapped bread, ask for the allergen information for that specific product before buying.
According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt in bread is not compulsory. So you can’t tell whether it has been used from the bread’s name alone.
If baker’s salt matters to your choice, check the information on the label.
You may have more bread left over than you need for one lunch if you buy a whole loaf.
Choose a smaller loaf or freeze the bread in portions after buying it if you want to spread it over several lunches. The Voedingscentrum recommends freezing bread straight away if you’re keeping it in stock.
These product examples can help you compare types of bread and labels; the features listed don’t necessarily apply to every loaf from the same retailer.
A specific example for anyone looking to compare the ingredients and nutritional information of a wholemeal multiseed loaf.
An example product to compare against your own lunch preferences in terms of its wholemeal base, seeds and nutritional information.
A shop option if you’re looking for seeded multigrain bread and want to check the product details in store.
An in-store example if you’re looking to browse wholemeal multigrain bread with seeds.
An example from the range if you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread with sunflower seeds.
A range where you can compare multiseed bread, multigrain bread and wholemeal rolls as different options.
This round multigrain loaf is an option if you want to prepare your own bread for lunch. Allow time to defrost and bake it; don’t choose it based on the visible seeds alone if you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread.
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For a lunch you’re preparing yourself: this 550 g round multigrain loaf needs to be defrosted and baked before use. Check the preparation time on the packaging and read the allergen information before buying. If a wholemeal base is a must, also look for an explicit wholemeal label.
No. ‘Multigrain’ refers to several types of grain; according to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. So look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the bread you want to buy.
For packaged bread, check the label; for unwrapped bread, ask the seller for the information before buying. The Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit lists sesame and cereals containing gluten among the allergens consumers must be informed about.
No. The Voedingscentrum says there is no requirement to bake bread with baker’s salt. If you want to know whether it has been used, check the details for the specific bread.
Freeze it in portions after buying it if you want to eat it over several days. That way, you can take out what you need for each lunch; the Voedingscentrum recommends freezing bread straight away if you’re keeping it in stock.
