If you’re looking for a wholemeal roll for lunch, don’t choose based only on visible seeds or the name ‘multigrain’: check that it’s labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; a seeded roll may still be made mostly from wheat flour. If you need to avoid gluten, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the other allergen information too.
If you want to replace white bread, first check whether a roll is labelled wholemeal, then compare the fibre per 100 g. The Voedingscentrum recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as often as possible.
If you’re looking for a roll with ingredients such as linseed, seeds or poppy seeds, check which seeds the exact product contains. Check the ingredients too if you want to know whether it’s made with white flour or wholemeal flour.
A regular multiseed roll made with wheat is not a substitute for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free. Check the allergen information too: for example, PLUS says its gluten-free multiseed rolls contain sesame.
First decide whether wholemeal, the texture of seeds or avoiding an allergen is your priority. Then compare the information on the packaging of rolls that suit your needs.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g; visible seeds don’t prove that the bread is wholemeal. | I want a lunch roll that’s clearly made with a wholemeal base, rather than judging it by its colour. This matters most to around 42% of consumers. |
| Seeds and texture | Check which seeds are listed in the ingredients, and also whether the grain base is made with white flour or wholemeal flour. | For lunch, I’m mainly looking for the flavour and texture of seeds, even if the roll isn’t wholemeal. This is the priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Gluten and sesame | Check the allergen information for the exact product; if you need to avoid gluten, choose only a variety explicitly labelled gluten-free. | If I need to avoid gluten or sesame, suitable allergen information comes before my preference for seeds or fibre. This is the first consideration for around 17% of consumers. |
| Preparation | Check whether the roll is ready to eat or needs to be baked, and follow the packaging instructions for bake-at-home products. | I want to know whether I can prepare the roll when I want to have lunch. This practical need comes first for around 16% of consumers. |
A seeded roll may be made mostly from wheat flour. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; the presence of seeds doesn’t change the grain base.
Check the wholemeal label and the ingredients list. Then compare the fibre per 100 g, rather than judging by the colour or seeds on the crust.
A regular multiseed roll may contain gluten-containing cereals and sesame. Even a variety explicitly labelled gluten-free may contain other allergens: PLUS lists sesame for its gluten-free multiseed rolls.
Check the allergen information for the exact product every time you buy it, including any ‘may contain’ information. Don’t treat a regular wheat or spelt roll as a gluten-free alternative.
According to the Voedingscentrum, bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it contains it from the type of bread or an organic label.
Check the ingredients list to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt has been used.
PLUS sells packaged multigrain rolls, as well as a separate gluten-free multiseed variety.
Jumbo sells products including a ready-to-bake Pistolet Meerzaden for anyone looking for a seeded roll to bake at home.
Albert Heijn lists sourdough rolls with seeds, including a brown variety and an organic variety.
Dirk lists a 1 de Beste Pistolet Rustiek Meergranen, sold as a pack of four ready-to-bake rolls.
ALDI describes a bread range that includes wholemeal bread, bake-at-home bread and fresh rolls.
Not necessarily. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, while a seeded roll may be made mostly from wheat flour. Check the wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt. Check the label to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt has been used in the roll.
No, a regular multiseed roll isn’t automatically gluten-free: regular varieties may contain wheat or other gluten-containing cereals. Choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check for other allergens too, including sesame if applicable.
Follow the preparation instructions on the packaging you buy. PLUS says to bake its Pistolets meergranen for 8–10 minutes in an oven at 220 °C or for 4 minutes in an air fryer at 200 °C; these instructions don’t necessarily apply to other rolls.
