Bread shoppers keeping an eye on fibre
They look for multigrain bread with a clearly identifiable wholegrain base and compare the fibre per 100 g. Seeds add flavour and texture, but they don’t replace that check.
Who are these choices relevant to?
Fans of seeds and a hearty texture
They want to know which seeds are actually in the bread. They read the ingredients rather than relying solely on the bread’s name or picture.
Households that don’t get through a whole loaf quickly
A suitable loaf size or clear freezing instructions can help them choose an amount that fits how much bread they use.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide what matters most to you: a wholegrain base, the texture of the seeds or a suitable quantity. Then compare the information on the packaging of the exact variety.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain base and fibre | Check the product description and ingredients for wholemeal flour. Compare fibre on the same basis, per 100 g. | If I eat multigrain bread regularly, I want to know whether wholemeal flour is the main ingredient. Roughly 42% of consumers prioritise a wholegrain base and comparable fibre information. |
| Seeds, texture and allergens | Check which seeds are listed and read the allergen information for the bread you’ve chosen. | If I want a hearty texture, I want to know which seeds are in the bread rather than relying on a similar name if I have an allergy. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this combination of texture and certainty about ingredients. |
| Size and storage | Check whether a half loaf is available and, if freezing, follow the instructions for the exact variety. | If I don’t get through a whole loaf, a smaller size or freezing may suit how I use it better. Around 25% of consumers prioritise a suitable quantity and less waste. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain means wholegrain
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ tells you how many types of grain have been used, not whether the whole grain has been used.
If you’re looking for a wholegrain base, check the product description and ingredients for wholemeal flour.
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Taking visible seeds as proof of nutritional value
Seeds on or in a loaf don’t tell you how much wholemeal flour forms the base. Fibre content also varies from one product to another.
Compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g, then assess the listed seeds separately based on the texture you’re looking for.
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Guessing allergens from a similar bread name
Breads with similar names can contain different grains and seeds. For example, the product information for the multigrain variety described by PLUS lists sesame.
Check the latest allergen information for the exact variety every time you buy it, even if you’ve bought a similar loaf before.
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Assuming the online range matches what’s in store
The multigrain breads described by Lidl and ALDI are store-specific, so availability may vary by shop and by time.
Check the current range at the shop where you do your food shopping.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists, among other products, an organic brown multigrain loaf with sunflower seeds and linseed.
- The product information for this variety includes ingredients, nutritional information and allergens.
- Compare the current product variety and packaging; the variety described was listed as discontinued.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers a half loaf of Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen with seeds.
- For this half loaf, Jumbo lists 55,7% wholemeal wheat flour and 8,0 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety; other Jumbo multigrain breads may have a different recipe.
PLUS
The Korenlanders range at PLUS includes a dark multigrain loaf with grains and seeds.
- The product page for this variety lists ingredients, allergens and freezing instructions.
- Follow the storage instructions for the variety you buy; PLUS says the variety described can be frozen on the day of purchase.
Lidl
Lidl lists both a multigrain loaf made with different grains and an organic sourdough variety with seeds.
- The product descriptions help you tell these types of bread apart.
- Check the ingredients and allergens of the loaf you actually choose in store.
ALDI
ALDI lists a boeren-volkoren-meergranen loaf with grains and seeds in its fresh daily bread range.
- The product name makes clear which variety is offered as wholegrain multigrain bread.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging for this variety.
Dirk
Dirk lists, among other products, multikorn multigrain rolls with seeds, as well as separate multikorn wholemeal loaves.
- You can browse rolls and whole loaves as separate options.
- Check the nutritional information and allergens for the specific product; the rolls’ ingredients don’t tell you what’s in a whole loaf.
Multigrain bread on Joybuy
This round multigrain loaf is an option if seeds and texture are on your shopping list. If a wholegrain base is your priority, check the ingredients on the exact packaging first.
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Lekhaven Bakery Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g
A 550 g round multigrain loaf for anyone looking for this size. Check the packaging to see which seeds and allergens it contains and whether wholemeal flour has been used. Follow the preparation instructions on the packaging too.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholegrain?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but the name doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholegrain. Check the product description and ingredients list for the variety you’ve chosen.
Are visible seeds enough to compare the nutritional value of different breads?
No. Seeds give you an idea of the texture to expect, but not how much wholemeal flour the bread contains. If you’re choosing based on fibre, compare the ingredients and the stated fibre per 100 g too.
Where can I check allergens in seeded multigrain bread?
Check the latest packaging or shop information for the exact bread you’re buying. The Jumbo and PLUS products described contain cereals with gluten; the PLUS variety described also contains sesame. Don’t assume that a different loaf with a similar name has the same ingredients.
Does Dutch multigrain bread always contain iodised salt?
No, you can’t tell from the type of bread alone. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that bread can contain iodine through baker’s salt; check the ingredients list for the variety you’ve chosen. Albert Heijn explicitly lists iodised salt for the organic variety described.
What if I don’t get through a whole loaf quickly?
A half loaf may better suit how much you use. If you want to freeze it, follow the instructions for the variety you’ve chosen. For the Korenlanders multigrain loaf described, PLUS recommends freezing it on the day of purchase and using it within one month.