For seeded multigrain bread with a wholemeal base at Sunday breakfast, first look for the term ‘wholemeal’: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t guarantee this. Then compare the seeds, fibre, salt and allergens listed on the packaging. If you’re feeding only a few people, a smaller loaf or bread with suitable freezing instructions may be more practical than a whole loaf.
You want seeded bread, but the type of grain used as its base is what matters most. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking for the term ‘wholemeal’ on bread; ‘multigrain’ on the packaging alone doesn’t offer the same assurance.
You’re looking for a particular mix of kernels and seeds. Product information from retailers including Jumbo, PLUS and Albert Heijn shows which seeds are used in their individual loaves. Be sure to check the allergen information for the bread you choose, too.
If you’re buying bread for one breakfast, the size and storage instructions matter. Albert Heijn and PLUS provide home-freezing instructions for certain products; these apply to the specific product in question.
If wholemeal matters to you, start by checking the type of bread. Then choose a seed mix and size to suit your breakfast, and check the nutritional information and allergens for each product.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging. Compare the fibre per 100 g in similar breads. | I want seeds on my bread, but I’ll only choose it once I’ve confirmed that it has a wholemeal base, too. For around 40% of consumers, wholemeal and fibre are the top priorities. |
| Seeds and allergens | Check which seeds are used and read the latest allergen information. | For my breakfast, a generous mix of seeds is a must, as long as the ingredients are suitable for everyone eating with me. Around 30% of consumers give this choice of seeds top priority. |
| Size and storage | Check the number of pieces or the size of the loaf, and follow only the freezing instructions for that product. | For a small breakfast, I don’t want to buy more bread than I can use or store as directed on the packaging. This is the most important consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
Bread can contain several grains and visible seeds without being fully wholemeal. For example, Albert Heijn lists both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour as ingredients in AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen.
If wholemeal is your main selection criterion, look for the term ‘wholemeal’ first; then assess the seeds and nutritional information.
A seed mix doesn’t tell you which allergens are in the whole loaf. Jumbo, for example, lists gluten, sesame and soya in Stevig Meergranen.
If you have an allergy, always check the latest ingredients and allergen information for the exact product you’re buying.
A whole loaf may be more than you need for one Sunday breakfast. Half a loaf or rolls may be a better fit for the number of people you’re feeding.
If you want to store bread, follow the freezing instructions on the relevant packaging. Albert Heijn and PLUS recommend freezing certain products on the day of purchase.
Albert Heijn describes AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen gesneden as a brown multigrain loaf containing ingredients including sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and sprouted rye.
Jumbo describes Stevig Meergranen as a whole wholemeal multigrain loaf with kernels and seeds.
PLUS stocks products including Korenlanders Donker meergranen as a whole loaf and Korenlanders Volkoren meergranenbollen as rolls.
Dirk describes Bakker van der Akker Vloerbrood meergranen heel as a hearty loaf made with grains and seeds.
ALDI offers Boeren volkoren meergranen as a sliced half loaf.
Lidl describes its Meergranenbrood as bread made with a blend of grains and seeds, including wheat, barley and buckwheat.
These two Lekhaven Bakkerij products are multigrain breads for anyone looking for seeds and a loaf to bake at home. If you specifically want wholemeal bread, don’t choose based on the name ‘multigrain’: check the latest packaging instead.
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Four individual baguettes could be a good fit for a breakfast where you want to bake just a few at a time.
Allow time for defrosting and baking, and follow the latest instructions on the packaging. Check there, too, for the wholemeal description, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g if these matter to your choice.
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This 550 g round multigrain loaf is a good choice if you’d rather bake one loaf for breakfast than individual baguettes.
Follow the latest packaging instructions for defrosting, baking and cooling. Before comparing it with other bread, check the same packaging for the wholemeal description, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the term ‘wholemeal’ on bread confirms that it has a wholemeal base; ‘multigrain’ only means that several types of grain have been used. So check the description and ingredients for the specific bread.
Check the latest allergen information for the exact loaf, even if you recognise the seeds on the crust. For example, Jumbo lists gluten, sesame and soya in Stevig Meergranen; another multigrain bread may have different ingredients.
You can’t assume this applies to every loaf. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that iodine compounds may be added to bread via baker’s salt; this doesn’t tell you what has been used in a particular loaf. Check the ingredients list for terms such as ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’, or ask the baker.
Follow the storage instructions for the product you buy. Albert Heijn says that AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen can be frozen at home on the day of purchase, and PLUS gives the same advice for Korenlanders Volkoren meergranenbollen. Both should be used within one month.
