Who is this relevant to?

Students keeping an eye on meal costs

You want to use a whole loaf for several meals, but don’t want to buy so much that you have to throw some away. Freezing portions may be worth factoring into your choice.

Students looking for wholemeal bread with visible seeds

You want to be able to check both that the bread is wholemeal and that it contains seeds. A multigrain name or dark crust alone won’t tell you this for certain.

Shoppers who need to check ingredients

Information about ingredients such as sesame, cereals containing gluten or possible traces is essential for you. If you’re buying unwrapped bread, ask about allergen information before you buy.

What should you look for when choosing?

For a budget meal, first work out how much bread you’ll actually use. Then compare the wholemeal description, the seeds listed and the label information for products that suit that amount.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important for?
Quantity and waste Compare how much bread you’ll use with the pack size. If necessary, choose an individual roll or freeze portions in good time. If I’m eating alone, I don’t want to throw away a whole loaf before I’ve finished it. For around 40% of shoppers, avoiding unnecessary meal costs comes first.
Wholemeal bread and seeds Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name or legal description, and check which seeds are listed as ingredients. I want to know whether I’m actually buying wholemeal bread with the seeds I want, rather than just a loaf with a multigrain name. This combination is the main reason for choosing a loaf for around 40% of shoppers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the allergen information. Compare salt per 100 g if it’s relevant to your choice, and check whether baker’s salt is listed if necessary. If I have an allergy, I need to know which allergens the bread contains or may contain before I buy it. Around 20% of shoppers give checking ingredients and label information their highest priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming multigrain means wholemeal

    A multigrain name or dark crust doesn’t confirm that the bread is wholemeal. If wholemeal bread is a must for you, relying on the name alone could be misleading.

    Check the product name or legal description, and look at the ingredients for the specific loaf.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a plan for the leftovers

    A whole loaf may not be the best choice for one meal if some of it will go unused. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread as a food that is often wasted.

    Freeze any portions you won’t use within a few days, or compare an individual roll or smaller loaf.

  • Checking allergens only after you’ve bought it

    Albert Heijn’s sesame bread contains sesame and cereals containing gluten. Jumbo says its Stevig Volkoren Zonnepit contains cereals containing gluten and may contain traces of nuts and sesame.

    Read the label on packaged bread. If you’re buying unwrapped bread, ask about allergen information before you buy it.

  • Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread does not have to be made with baker’s salt. So a seeded loaf won’t necessarily contain it.

    Check the label or ask the baker which salt was used if it’s relevant to your choice.

Brands and products to compare

These specific bread products illustrate different options: a whole loaf, a clearly named seed or an individual portion. Check the current packaging before comparing nutritional information or allergens between products.

Albert Heijn

AH Extra lang lekker Zaans volkoren heel is a wholemeal loaf containing sesame.

  • Albert Heijn lists 2,4% sesame seeds, 6,7 g fibre and 0,7 g salt per 100 g.
  • The bread contains sesame and cereals containing gluten. Check the current allergen information when you buy it.

Jumbo

Jumbo Stevig Volkoren Zonnepit is a wholemeal loaf with sunflower seeds clearly listed in the product information.

  • Jumbo lists 11,1% sunflower seeds and 7,6 g fibre per 100 g.
  • The product contains cereals containing gluten and may contain traces of nuts and sesame.

ALDI

ALDI describes Boeren volkoren meergranen as a whole loaf containing grains and seeds.

  • A whole loaf can work well if you’re planning several meals and storing any portions you don’t use.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information in store if you want to compare specific seeds or values.

Lidl

Lidl describes its Volkorenbol as an individual portion containing seeds, available in store.

  • An individual roll is an option if you don’t want to store a whole loaf.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information that matter to you in store.

PLUS

PLUS Boeren volkoren heel is a useful comparison if wholemeal bread matters more to you than a particular seed.

  • PLUS lists 6,7 g fibre and 1,03 g salt per 100 g for this loaf.
  • If you specifically want seeded bread, check the ingredients of the variant you choose; this product isn’t described as a seeded loaf.

Dirk

Bakker van der Akker’s Batard volkoren is a wholemeal option to compare with breads that list specific seeds.

  • The product description identifies this bread as wholemeal.
  • If seeds are a must, check the ingredients of the specific loaf before choosing it.

Bread options on Joybuy

This 550 g round multigrain loaf is worth considering if you want bread for several meals and can thaw and bake it at home. Check the wholemeal description if wholemeal bread is a must for you.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g

For anyone looking for bread to enjoy over several meals and who has an oven at home. The round loaf weighs 550 g. According to the preparation instructions, it should be thawed and baked before use.

Check the packaging to compare the seeds listed and their proportions. If you specifically want wholemeal bread, also check the legal product description, and read the nutritional information and allergen details before buying.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. ‘Multigrain’ means that several types of grain have been used, but on its own it doesn’t confirm that the bread is wholemeal. If this matters to you, look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name or legal description.

Does seeded bread always contain baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when baking bread isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients list or ask the baker which salt was used for a specific loaf.

How can I check allergens in seeded bread?

For prepacked bread, read the allergen information on the label. If you’re buying unwrapped bread, ask about the allergen information available before you buy it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) lists sesame and cereals containing gluten among the allergens that must be declared.

How should I store a wholemeal loaf if I’m eating alone?

Freeze any portions you won’t use in time. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage guide recommends keeping wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. Its quality may deteriorate while in storage.