Who is this bread for?

Visitors taking filled sandwiches with them

Looking for bread with a firm texture for lunch during your visit to the Christmas market? Check both the type of loaf and the ingredients: seeds don’t automatically make bread wholemeal.

Shoppers comparing fibre content

To find out how much fibre your chosen bread contains, check the nutritional information per 100 g and, if provided, per slice. The amount of seeds is no substitute for this information.

Shoppers who need to read the label carefully

Are allergens or the use of baker’s salt important to you or anyone you’re with? Check the ingredients, allergen information and salt details for the exact loaf you’re buying.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the ‘wholemeal’ label. Then check which seeds the bread contains, whether the loaf format suits your lunch and which label details matter to you and your group.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare fibre per 100 g and, where stated, per slice. For lunch at the Christmas market, I want to know whether my bread is wholemeal and how much fibre it contains. For around 40% of consumers, this combination comes first.
Texture and loaf format Check which seeds are listed in the ingredients and whether the loaf format suits the filling you want to take with you. I’m looking for filled slices with a firm bite that are easy to take with me. For around 30% of consumers, this practical consideration matters most.
Allergens and baker’s salt Read the allergen information and, if necessary, check whether baker’s salt has been used. For unpackaged bread, ask the baker. If I’m taking bread for other people, I want to be able to check for relevant allergens and, if necessary, find out which salt has been used. Checking the label is the top priority for around 30% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal

    A dark colour or the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that the bread is made entirely from wholemeal flour. According to Albert Heijn, the ‘wholemeal’ label is what to look for.

    Check the bread’s description first, then compare the seeds, loaf format and nutritional information.

  • Assuming seeds mean a set amount of fibre

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 2.8 g of fibre for a 35 g slice of seeded wholemeal bread. The bread you buy may have a different amount.

    Use the nutritional information on the product you’ve chosen to compare fibre per 100 g or per slice.

  • Assuming all bread contains baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bread is baked with baker’s salt. The type of bread or the presence of seeds won’t tell you whether it has been used.

    For packaged bread, check the label for baker’s salt. If you’re buying unpackaged bread and this matters to you, ask the baker.

  • Trying to identify allergens from the product photo

    A photo of seeds won’t tell you what other ingredients the bread contains or whether there are warnings about possible traces.

    Before buying, read the current ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, even if you’ve bought similar bread before.

Brands to consider

These supermarkets are a good starting point when looking for wholemeal bread. Check each option individually to see whether it also contains seeds and meets your other requirements.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn describes several types of wholemeal bread, including whole and half loaves.

  • Albert Heijn’s guidance distinguishes the ‘wholemeal’ label from other bread names.
  • Check the ingredients of the loaf you’ve chosen to see whether it contains seeds.

Jumbo

Jumbo product pages may show ingredients, allergen information and nutritional values.

  • The page for Jumbo Wholemeal Multigrain Bread lists pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and linseed, among other ingredients.
  • On the same page, Jumbo states that this particular bread is no longer part of its online range. Don’t use the information for another loaf without checking its own label.

Lidl

Lidl provides information about wholemeal products as a starting point when choosing bread.

  • Its information about wholemeal products helps you focus on the bread description when searching.
  • For each loaf, check whether the ingredients include the seeds you’re looking for.

ALDI

ALDI describes Boeren volkoren meergranen and other wholemeal breads.

  • The product description for Boeren volkoren meergranen lists grains and seeds.
  • Check the nutritional and allergen information for the bread you actually choose.

PLUS

PLUS has a dedicated category where you can search for wholemeal bread.

  • The category gives you a starting point for exploring individual bread products.
  • Being listed in the wholemeal bread category doesn’t tell you whether a loaf contains seeds; check the product information for that.

Dirk

Dirk search results include wholemeal varieties from Bakker van der Akker.

  • The results can help you find a type of bread you’d like to explore further.
  • Check that the search result is for bread, then read the ingredients for the variety you’ve chosen.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread the same as wholemeal bread?

No. ‘Multigrain’ doesn’t tell you whether all the flour used is wholemeal. According to Albert Heijn, the ‘wholemeal’ label is used for bread made from 100% wholemeal flour. Look for that label on the bread you want to buy.

Does Dutch bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bread is baked with baker’s salt. You can check the label on packaged bread. If you’re buying unpackaged bread and this matters to you, ask the baker which salt has been used.

Where can I check for allergens in seeded bread?

Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about possible traces on the exact product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of clear allergen information on labels for prepacked foods; a product photo is no substitute for checking the label.

How should I store bread I’m taking to the Christmas market?

Follow the storage advice on the packaging of the bread you buy. Also check the date label and take an amount that suits what you plan to have for lunch.