Don’t choose seeded multigrain bread based on its name or the seeds you can see alone. If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, check the ingredients first, then compare the seeds, fibre and allergens in the exact variety. For weekday breakfasts, the loaf size and storage instructions matter too, so you can choose bread that suits how often you’ll use it.
You want the texture of seeds, but for your regular breakfast you’re mainly looking for bread that is clearly labelled wholemeal. The word ‘multigrain’ isn’t enough: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, it refers to the use of different types of grain.
You’re looking for a size that suits your working week and want to know whether the bread is sliced and how to store it according to the packaging.
Before buying, you check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety. With bread containing different grains and seeds, the name alone won’t tell you whether it contains an ingredient you need to avoid.
Start with the ingredients if wholemeal is a deciding factor for you. Then compare the seeds you want and choose a size that suits your breakfast; always check allergens before choosing a loaf.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check the wholemeal labelling and ingredients; compare fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information for the same variety. | If I eat this bread for breakfast regularly, I want to know whether it’s genuinely wholemeal and how much fibre it contains. Around 39% of consumers put this composition first. |
| Seeds and texture | Check which seeds are listed in the ingredients and whether the bread has a wholemeal, brown or light base. | I’m mainly looking for the texture of seeds, but don’t want to judge by a picture of the crust alone. For around 23% of consumers, texture matters most. |
| Size and storage | Compare whole loaves, half loaves or individual rolls; check whether the bread is sliced and follow the storage instructions. | If I only have bread for breakfast on working days, I don’t want to buy more than I can use. Size and convenience come first for around 23% of consumers. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Check the ingredients, allergen information and any precautionary statement about traces for the exact variety. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, I need to know what’s in this particular bread before buying. Around 15% of consumers give this check the highest priority. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain refers to the use of at least three types of grain. It doesn’t mean the bread is made exclusively with wholemeal flour.
Look for the wholemeal labelling and read the ingredients list before comparing seeds or size.
Bread with visible seeds may also contain wheat flour and allergens that matter to you. PLUS Licht Meerzaden, for example, lists both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour.
Check the ingredients and nutritional information for the exact variety rather than relying on the name or picture.
The word multigrain doesn’t tell you whether a particular loaf contains iodised salt.
Check the ingredients list or ask which salt is used if the bread is unwrapped. For example, Albert Heijn explicitly lists iodised salt for AH Meerzaden.
A whole loaf can be difficult to finish if you only use it on a few working days.
Choose a whole loaf, half loaf or individual rolls to suit how much you use, and follow the product’s storage instructions.
These brands offer various multigrain and seeded breads; assess the ingredients and size of each loaf rather than judging by the brand name.
Jumbo offers products such as Waldkorn Meergranen Brood Half, which you can compare for its seeds.
PLUS offers multigrain and seeded varieties, including Licht Meerzaden.
ALDI stocks both wholemeal multigrain bread and other breads with grains and seeds.
Lidl describes a multigrain bread containing, among other things, wheat, barley and buckwheat.
At Dirk, you can compare options including multigrain bread, wholemeal multigrain bread, seeded bread and rolls.
These multigrain rolls come in a pack of four and are a good option if you’d rather choose individual rolls than a whole loaf. Check the ingredients if wholemeal or particular seeds are important to you.
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Four individual multigrain rolls for anyone who likes to plan breakfast one roll at a time.
Check the packaging to see whether the ingredients meet your preference for wholemeal bread and how the rolls should be stored. The information about sesame is contradictory; check the packaging before buying, especially if you need to avoid sesame.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain, but it may also contain ingredients that aren’t wholemeal. Check the wholemeal labelling and ingredients list of the bread you want to buy.
Yes, if allergens are relevant to you: check the full ingredients list and allergen information for the exact variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the rules for mandatory allergen labelling; the name of a loaf or visible seeds don’t replace this information.
No, you can’t tell from the name of the bread. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in the ingredients for AH Meerzaden; for another loaf, check its label or ask about the ingredients if it’s unwrapped.
Choose a whole loaf, half loaf or individual rolls based on how much bread you’ll actually use. Check whether the bread is sliced and follow the storage instructions for your chosen variety; don’t assume all fresh bread keeps for the same length of time.
