Families who want to share while out and about
If you’re filling bread at home and packing portions for several people, you can slice a whole loaf or divide up individual rolls.
Which bread format works best for you?
Visitors bringing their own lunch
An individual seeded roll can be taken along without any slicing. That’s handy if everyone is carrying their own portion during the parade.
Shoppers who read labels carefully
If you’re checking for wholemeal flour, fibre, salt, iodised salt or allergens, you’ll need the nutritional information and ingredients for the exact loaf. The word ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t tell you.
What should you look for when choosing?
For the Sinterklaas parade, first decide how many portions you want to take and how much preparation you’re happy to do at home. Then check the nutritional information and ingredients of the bread you choose.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Taking and sharing | Choose an individual roll, rolls or a whole loaf based on the number of people eating and whether you can slice and fill it at home. | When we’re out and about, I want to take a manageable portion for everyone without having to slice a whole loaf there and then. This would be the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check that it says ‘wholemeal’ and compare the fibre content on the same basis, for example per 100 g. | When choosing bread with seeds, I specifically look for a wholemeal option and want to be able to assess its fibre content. Around 31% of consumers would say wholemeal and fibre are their main priority. |
| Allergens | Read the current allergen information for the exact loaf; if it’s sold loose, ask for details. | If someone in my group has a food allergy, I need to know which allergens and possible traces are listed. This would be the main priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Iodised salt | Look for baker’s salt or iodised salt in the ingredients, and check the salt content of the exact product. | For the parade, I want to know whether the bread contains iodised salt and how much salt it has. This label check would matter most to around 15% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain means wholemeal
According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread can be made with refined flour; seeds on the crust don’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal.
Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and compare the fibre content of the breads you’re considering.
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Guessing which allergens are present from the seeds you can see
Seeded bread may contain sesame, gluten-containing cereals or soya, among other ingredients. What you can see on the outside is no substitute for the allergen information for that specific product.
Check the current packaging before buying, and ask for allergen information if the bread is sold loose.
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Assuming sourdough or organic bread contains iodised salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, using iodised baker’s salt is not compulsory. So neither the baking method nor the organic label tells you which salt has been used.
Check the ingredients for baker’s salt or iodised salt if it matters to your choice.
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Taking more bread than you can store
For wholemeal bread, the Voedingscentrum recommends storing it for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard or 1 to 3 months in the freezer.
Choose the number of portions to suit your group, and follow the product’s storage instructions for any leftover bread.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
One example of an individual seeded roll is AH Triangel meergranen bruin, weighing 90 g.
- For this roll, Albert Heijn lists ingredients including sunflower seeds, linseed, sesame seeds and iodised salt.
- Check the current packaging and allergen information: Albert Heijn says product information may change.
Jumbo
Jumbo Stevig Meergranen is a wholemeal multigrain loaf with seeds that you can divide between several people at home.
- Jumbo lists 8,6 g of fibre and 0,96 g of salt per 100 g for this product.
- A whole loaf needs to be sliced and packed before you set off.
Lidl
Lidl offers a 600 g organic brown sourdough multigrain loaf with seeds.
- The loaf format and weight can help you decide whether you want to slice portions at home.
- Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and the type of salt used if these matter to your choice.
Aldi
Aldi includes wholemeal and multigrain bread in its daily-fresh bread range.
- Aldi says its wholemeal breads are made with 100% wholemeal flour; this doesn’t automatically apply to every multigrain loaf.
- Check the label and ingredients of the specific loaf you want to take with you.
Plus
PLUS Korenlanders Licht Meerzaden rond heel is an 800 g brown multigrain loaf with seeds.
- PLUS provides nutritional and allergen information for this product.
- For lunch while you’re out, you’ll need to divide a large loaf into suitable portions at home.
Dirk
Dirk offers Bakker van der Akker Multikorn multigrain rolls with seeds, in packs of four.
- Four individual rolls are easy to divide into separate portions.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging before buying.
Bread options at Joybuy
These options include whole multigrain loaves to divide up in advance, as well as a pack of four individual multigrain rolls. Choose the portion size that suits your group, and always check the label of the product you choose if you have dietary or allergen requirements.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 2 × 550 g
You can divide the two round loaves into portions at home for a group. The ingredient information lists sunflower seeds, linseed and sesame seeds. Allow time to defrost, bake and cool them before you leave. Check the current packaging if wholemeal flour, allergens or iodised salt are important to your choice.
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g'woon Multigrain Rolls, 4 pieces
Four individual rolls make it easy to give everyone their own portion. Before buying, check the current allergen information on the packaging: the product description gives conflicting information about sesame. Also check the label if wholemeal flour or fibre content matters to your choice.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g
You can slice this round loaf at home if one loaf is enough for your group. The product information says to defrost, bake and cool it before use. Check the current packaging if wholemeal flour, allergens or iodised salt are relevant to your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is seeded multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread can be made with refined flour. Check the wholemeal label and ingredients of the exact loaf rather than going by the seeds.
Does seeded bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. The Voedingscentrum says that using baker’s salt is not compulsory in the Netherlands. If it matters to your choice, look for baker’s salt or iodised salt in the ingredients list.
How do I check allergens in bread for the parade?
For packaged bread, read the allergen information on the label. If the bread is sold loose, ask for information about that specific product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists sesame seeds and gluten-containing cereals among the allergens consumers must be informed about.
Can I buy wholemeal bread in advance and freeze it?
Yes, freezing can be a way to store portions for the parade. The Voedingscentrum recommends storing wholemeal bread in the freezer for 1 to 3 months or in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 4 days. Also follow the storage instructions for the specific loaf.