Lunch shoppers looking for wholemeal
You want to assess the flour base before choosing a seed mix. Look for the wholemeal label and, if needed, compare the fibre content in the nutritional information for the rolls you’re considering.
Which choice is right for you?
Fans of seeds and a satisfying bite
You’re mainly looking for texture and flavour from ingredients such as linseeds or sunflower seeds. Check the ingredients: a seeded crust doesn’t tell you whether the roll is wholemeal.
Lunch shoppers who want something convenient to take away
You want a handy size that you can take with you without having to slice a whole loaf. Check whether you’re buying an individual roll, a pack of several rolls or half a loaf.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether a wholemeal base, the convenience of an individual roll or the texture of seeds matters most for your lunch. Before making your final choice, always read the label for the specific variant.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal base and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare fibre on a like-for-like basis, such as per 100 g. | If I want a wholemeal roll for lunch, the flour base matters more to me than the seeds on the crust. Around 36% of consumers put this first. |
| Size and convenience for lunch | Check whether you’re buying an individual roll, several rolls, or half or a whole loaf. | For lunch on the go, I want something I can take with me without having to slice a whole loaf first. Around 29% of consumers put this convenience first. |
| Seeds and texture | Check which seeds are listed in the ingredients; assess the flour base separately. | If I’m mainly after a satisfying bite, I choose the seeds I enjoy and don’t assume that makes the roll wholemeal. Around 21% of consumers put this preference first. |
| Allergens and type of salt | Read the allergen information for the variant you’ve chosen and check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed in the ingredients. | If I need to avoid an ingredient or the type of salt matters to me, I can’t rely on the name of the bread. For around 14% of consumers, checking the label is the main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark, seeded bread is wholemeal
According to the Consumers’ Association, ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour a loaf contains. The colour and a seeded crust won’t tell you that either.
Look for the wholemeal label, then check the ingredients for the seeds you want.
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Guessing the allergens from the name of the bread
Rolls with the same type of name can list different grains, seeds and allergens. So a different variant may need a different check.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variant you’re buying.
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Assuming every roll contains baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. The word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you which type of salt has been used.
For packaged bread, check the ingredients for baker’s salt or iodised salt; for unpackaged bread, ask the staff.
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Buying a whole loaf for one lunch without a storage plan
If you only need one portion at a time, a whole loaf needs a different approach from an individual roll.
Before you buy, work out how many lunches you’ll get from it and freeze portions if needed.
If bread is left for too long, it may become unusable as portions dry out or go off.
Brands to compare
These product examples show why you should check both the size and the information for the specific variant when choosing a roll for lunch.
Albert Heijn
An individual wholemeal multigrain roll with seeds is a good example for anyone looking for a single roll for lunch.
- The product information for the roll reviewed lists ingredients including wholemeal wheat flour, seeds and allergens.
- Check the ingredients again for a different roll; the same shop name doesn’t mean the recipe is the same.
Jumbo
The half Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen loaf is a good fit if you want bread for more than one lunch.
- For this half loaf, Jumbo lists wholemeal wheat flour, sunflower seeds and linseeds, as well as 8,0 g of fibre and 0,98 g of salt per 100 g.
- It’s half a loaf, not an individual roll for lunch, so bear in mind that you’ll need to slice and store it.
Lidl
The Meergranenbrood described is an in-store loaf for anyone looking for a mix of grains and seeds.
- Lidl lists wheat, barley and buckwheat in this loaf.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for the loaf you’re taking home in store.
ALDI
The luxe meergranen-vloerbrood is a whole loaf for anyone who wants pre-sliced portions for lunch.
- ALDI describes this variant as pre-sliced and made with grains and seeds.
- Before choosing this variant, check the packaging for its wholemeal status, nutritional information and allergens.
PLUS
The Triangel meergranen bruin is an individual roll for anyone who wants to assess its size and flour base separately.
- PLUS lists 23% wholemeal wheat flour and 21% wheat flour for this variant.
- Don’t assume this brown multigrain roll is completely wholemeal based on its colour or name.
Dirk
The range includes a variety of names, including multigrain bread, brown multiseed bread, Multikorn wholemeal bread and multigrain rolls.
- These different types of bread give you a starting point for comparing individual rolls with loaves to keep at home.
- Check the label for the specific variant you choose; a range overview won’t tell you the ingredients or allergens in your roll.
Rolls on Joybuy
These multigrain rolls are an option if you’re looking for seeded rolls for several lunches. Check the packaging separately if wholemeal flour or particular allergens are important to your choice.
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g'woon Multigrain Rolls, 4 rolls
A pack of four multigrain rolls for anyone looking for more than one portion for lunch.
Check the packaging to see whether the rolls meet your wholemeal preferences. If you have an allergy, carefully check the latest allergen information, paying particular attention to sesame.
Frequently asked questions
Is a seeded multigrain roll automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Consumers’ Association, the word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour the bread contains. Look for the wholemeal label and read the ingredients if the flour base matters to your choice.
What do visible seeds tell you about the nutritional value?
Visible seeds don’t tell you whether the flour base is wholemeal. Compare the ingredients and, if you want to compare fibre, the nutritional information for the specific rolls on a like-for-like basis, such as per 100 g.
Does every multigrain roll contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. For packaged bread, check the ingredients; for unpackaged bread, ask which type of salt has been used.
What should I look for if I need to avoid wheat or gluten?
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific roll; the word ‘multigrain’ and visible seeds aren’t enough. Look for the label that meets your requirements and check any warnings on the packaging too.
How should I store a whole loaf if I only need one portion for lunch at a time?
If needed, divide the loaf into portions and freeze the ones you’ll use later straight away. For wholemeal bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing it for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard or 1 to 3 months in the freezer. Also check the storage instructions for the bread you buy.