Seeded Bread: Wholemeal or Multigrain for Every Day?

Who is this bread for?

Everyday bread buyer who prefers wholemeal

Looking for bread for breakfast or lunch, and wants to tell the difference between a wholemeal base and bread that simply has multigrain or seeds in its name.

Fan of seeds and a firm texture

More interested in kernels, a variety of grains and the bite of the bread. This preference is separate from whether the bread is wholemeal.

Buyer who checks ingredients and allergens

Wants to know which grains, seeds and allergens their chosen bread contains before buying, including when it is sold loose.

What should you look for when choosing?

What to look for	What to check when buying	Who it matters to
Wholemeal base and fibre	Check that it is labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre and salt per 100 g.	For my everyday sandwich, I want to know whether the bread really is wholemeal, rather than relying on visible seeds; around 36% of consumers put a wholemeal base first.
Ingredients and allergens	Read the ingredients list and allergen information; if the bread is sold loose, ask what allergen information is available.	If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the bread before buying it; for around 29% of consumers, checking this is the top priority.
Seeds, grains and texture	Check which seeds, kernels and types of grain are listed in the ingredients.	I’m mainly looking for kernels and a variety of flavours and textures, without assuming that multigrain means wholemeal; around 21% of consumers put this preference first.
Portion size and storage	Compare a whole loaf with a half loaf and check the storage advice on the packaging.	If I don’t eat much bread, I don’t want to have a whole loaf left over before I’ve finished it; around 14% of consumers prioritise portion size and storage.

Common mistakes

Assuming multigrain or seeded means wholemeal

Bread can contain several grains and visible seeds without being labelled wholemeal. This distinction matters if you’re specifically looking for a wholemeal base.

First check the product name and ingredients list, then compare the nutritional information per 100 g.
Only checking the front of the pack if you have allergies

A bread’s name or picture doesn’t tell you everything about the grains and allergens it contains. Statements about possible traces may also be relevant.

For pre-packed bread, read all the allergen information. If the bread is sold loose, ask what allergen information is available before buying.
Choosing a whole loaf without a storage plan

If you only use a few slices at a time, you may not finish a whole loaf before its quality starts to deteriorate.

Choose half a loaf or freeze slices in portions soon after buying. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days and in the freezer for 1–3 months.

Supermarket guide

Use these supermarkets’ product information to browse the options, then check the packaging of the specific bread before making your final choice.

Albert Heijn

A good place to start if you want to look up information about multigrain bread online.

Albert Heijn provides ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information on bread product pages.
Albert Heijn says this information can change, so check the packaging of the bread you buy as well.

Jumbo

A specific product example for comparing a wholemeal multigrain loaf.

Jumbo lists 8,0 g of fibre and 0,98 g of salt per 100 g for Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen Half.
These values apply to this loaf, not to other Jumbo breads. Check the ingredients and any information about possible allergens too.

Lidl

Worth a look if you want to find a specific bread with seeds and kernels in store.

Lidl describes a 400 g oat and spelt loaf with seeds and kernels.
Lidl lists this as an in-store product; check the packaging in store for the ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information.

ALDI

A useful reference for wholemeal and multigrain bread.

ALDI describes multigrain bread with grains and seeds, and also features an extra high-fibre wholemeal bread.
A range description doesn’t tell you what each individual loaf contains; compare the current packaging.

PLUS

A good place to start when comparing different multigrain breads.

PLUS features products including Korenlanders Desem Meergranen Boekweit and Soma Haverkorn multigrain bread.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for each option; sharing a category name doesn’t make these breads the same.

Dirk

A useful reference for seeded multigrain hearth bread.

Dirk describes Bakker van der Akker’s multigrain hearth bread as firm and packed with grains and seeds.
Check the packaging of this specific loaf if you want to confirm its wholemeal content, nutritional information or allergens.

Seeded bread on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is seeded multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. Having different grains or seeds in the bread doesn’t mean it’s wholemeal. Check whether it is labelled wholemeal and read the ingredients list if a wholemeal base is important to you.

How can I check for allergens in seeded bread?

For pre-packed bread, read the ingredients list and allergen information, including any warnings about possible traces. If the bread is sold loose, ask about allergen information before buying; according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information must be available to consumers.

Does seeded bread always contain iodine?

You can’t tell from the presence of seeds. Check the ingredient information for baker’s salt, or ask which type of salt has been used if the bread is sold loose; the name of the bread alone won’t tell you how much iodine it contains.

How should I store wholemeal bread if I only use a few slices?

Freeze the bread in portions soon after buying and take out what you need. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days and in the freezer for 1–3 months; its quality may deteriorate if you store it for longer.