Who is this bread for?

If you want to serve a substantial bread basket

For soup, dips or cheese, look for a loaf with visible seeds and grains. You can slice a whole loaf yourself into pieces that suit the table, but remember to allow time for slicing.

If you specifically want to serve wholemeal bread

Several types of grain don’t automatically mean wholemeal flour. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as bread made from 100% wholemeal flour. Check the product name and compare the fibre per 100 g on the packaging.

If you need to take guests’ allergies into account

Check the allergen information for the exact loaf you plan to serve. The multigrain breads described by Jumbo and PLUS contain cereals with gluten; other allergens may also be present or listed as possible allergens, depending on the product.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide what matters most for your dinner: the bread basket, whether the bread is wholemeal, or knowing that you can serve it safely to your guests. Then check the details of the product you choose.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Texture and presentation Check whether the description mentions seeds and grains, and whether you want a whole loaf to slice yourself. I want to serve pieces of bread alongside dips or soup that look good on the table too. For roughly 38% of consumers, presentation comes first.
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the wholemeal description and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. If I want to serve wholemeal bread, the word multigrain on its own isn’t enough. Around 37% of consumers say wholemeal and fibre are their top priority.
Planning and suitability for guests Read the latest allergen information and storage or preparation instructions; check local availability for fresh in-store bread. I want to know before dinner whether the bread is suitable for my guests, and when I can buy or prepare it. For around 25% of consumers, that reassurance matters most.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming multigrain means wholemeal

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that multigrain bread is made from at least three types of grain. That alone doesn’t mean the bread is made with wholemeal flour.

    If you want wholemeal bread, look for the wholemeal description, then compare the fibre per 100 g.

  • Looking only at the seeds on the crust

    The multigrain breads described contain cereals with gluten; depending on the product, sesame, soya or other allergens may also be listed.

    Ask your guests about allergies in advance and read the allergen information on the packaging of the bread you’ll actually serve.

  • Counting on a particular fresh loaf from a shop

    Lidl says its fresh bread range can vary from one store to another. So the loaf you picked out in advance may not be available at your local shop.

    Check what’s available locally and think of an alternative. If you buy packaged bread in advance, follow its storage instructions.

  • Assuming every loaf contains iodised salt

    The name multigrain doesn’t tell you which type of salt has been used in a particular loaf.

    If this matters to you, read the ingredients list on the packaging you choose.

Brands to compare

Compare specific loaves and their current labels: wholemeal status, nutritional information and allergens can vary within a range.

Albert Heijn

AH Zaans whole multigrain is a packaged multigrain loaf with sunflower seeds and linseed.

  • Albert Heijn provides the ingredients, nutritional information, allergen details and storage advice for this loaf.
  • This particular loaf isn’t labelled as wholemeal; check the packaging when you buy it or have it delivered.

Jumbo

The half and whole wholemeal multigrain loaves described contain seeds and grains.

  • For these two products, Jumbo lists 8,0 g and 8,6 g of fibre per 100 g respectively, so you can compare the specific options.
  • Both contain cereals with gluten; sesame and soya are also listed for the whole hearty loaf.

PLUS

The Korenlanders range at PLUS includes, among other options, dark multigrain bread and a seeded variety.

  • PLUS labels the dark whole multigrain loaf described as wholemeal and lists 6,8 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Check the allergen information for your chosen variety, including any warnings about possible traces.

Dirk

Dirk describes its whole multigrain hearth loaf as hearty and packed with grains and seeds.

  • A whole hearth loaf is a good option if you want to slice the bread yourself for the table.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the packaging before choosing it for your guests.

Lidl

Lidl describes bread baked in store, including multigrain bread.

  • Freshly baked in-store bread could suit you if you want to buy it shortly before dinner.
  • Lidl says its fresh range varies by store, so check whether your preferred option is available locally.

A bread option on Joybuy

These baguettes are a good fit if you’re planning to put together a bread basket for dinner. Check the seeds, allergens and preparation instructions on the packaging before serving them.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 x 135 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 x 135 g

A baguette option for a dinner bread basket. The pack contains 4 baguettes of 135 g each; check the ingredients, allergens and any preparation instructions on the packaging before serving.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that multigrain bread is made from at least three types of grain, while wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. So if it matters to you, look specifically for the wholemeal description.

How do I compare the fibre in seeded bread?

Compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the loaves you’re considering; visible seeds don’t tell you the fibre content of the whole product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 2,2 g of fibre per 35 g slice for multigrain bread with seeds and grains, but the amount in a particular loaf may differ.

What should I look out for if guests have allergies?

Read the latest allergen information for the exact bread you’ll serve and ask your guests what’s suitable for them. The Jumbo and PLUS breads described contain cereals with gluten; other allergens that are present or may be present vary by product.

Can I buy the bread well in advance of dinner?

That depends on the storage and preparation instructions for the bread you choose. Albert Heijn and PLUS advise freezing the products described on the day of purchase; if you want fresh in-store bread, check what’s available at your local shop too.

How can I tell whether a loaf contains iodised salt?

Check the ingredients list on the specific packaging for details of the salt used. Don’t rely on the name multigrain bread alone.