For your Christmas table, start by choosing bread that is clearly labelled as wholemeal, then check whether the seeds and kernels give it the texture you want. A seeded wholemeal multigrain loaf is a good choice for a hearty bread basket. If nutritional value is your priority, compare the nutrition information per 100 g and per slice. When you buy, check the ingredients and allergens for the variety you have chosen.
For a bread basket at breakfast or brunch, you could choose a variety explicitly described as seeded wholemeal multigrain bread. Jumbo describes Rond Korn Volkoren this way; check the allergens in the bread you buy, especially if you’re serving guests.
If wholemeal bread is your starting point, look beyond the dark colour or the word ‘multigrain’. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists wholemeal bread as a type of bread that is high in fibre. The nutrition table can help you compare the fibre content of specific varieties.
If you mainly want to compare protein or carbohydrates, you could look at a differently formulated seeded bread alongside regular wholemeal bread. Compare the same values per 100 g and check the serving size per slice, then read the ingredients list before choosing.
Start with the product description ‘wholemeal’, then decide what matters most for your Christmas table: texture, nutritional values or when you need the bread.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal base and fibre | Look for the description ‘wholemeal bread’ and compare fibre per 100 g. | If you want a wholemeal base, a dark colour alone won’t tell you much. For around 33% of consumers, a wholemeal base and its fibre content are the top priorities. |
| Seeds, kernels and texture | Check whether the variety you’ve chosen contains seeds or kernels, and check the allergens. | For a Christmas brunch, bread with visible seeds and kernels may be a better fit if you’re after a hearty texture. Texture is the main priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Protein, carbohydrates and salt | Compare the values per 100 g and check the weight of a slice. | If one nutritional value matters to you, you’ll want to know how much of it is in your chosen serving. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this kind of specific comparison. |
| When you buy it | Check the shop’s range and the storage instructions for the variety. | If the bread needs to be on the table at a particular time, where and when you can buy it also matters. For around 17% of consumers, planning is the deciding factor. |
Seeds and a dark crust don’t tell you on their own whether bread is wholemeal. Nor does the name ‘multigrain’ confirm that it is.
Check the product description first, then compare the seeds, kernels and nutrition information.
A variety with lots of seeds may contain allergens that aren’t all clear from its short product name. Albert Heijn lists cereals containing gluten, soya and sesame among the allergens for AH ELL Eiwitrijk volkoren meerzaden half.
Check the current label for every variety you buy, especially if any of your guests have a food allergy.
Bread bought well before the festive occasion may dry out before it reaches the table.
Work out how much bread you need and, if buying ahead, follow the storage and any freezing instructions on the packaging.
Worth considering if you want to compare a specially formulated wholemeal seeded bread with a regular variety.
Worth considering if you want to serve a whole seeded wholemeal multigrain loaf at your Christmas table.
Worth considering if you want to look at different wholemeal options from the fresh daily range.
Worth considering if you’d like to pick up individual rolls with seeds and kernels to serve straight away.
Worth considering if you want to compare a dark wholemeal multigrain loaf.
Worth considering if you want to look at several wholemeal loaves, both whole and half-sized.
No. The colour and the name ‘multigrain’ aren’t enough to tell you. For the bread you’re serving at Christmas, look for a product description that explicitly says ‘wholemeal’, then check whether the variety also contains the seeds or kernels you want.
Check the allergens on the label of the variety you’re buying. For AH ELL Eiwitrijk volkoren meerzaden half, Albert Heijn lists cereals containing gluten, soya and sesame; for Waldkorn donker heel, PLUS lists wheat, rye, barley, oats and soya, among other ingredients. The ingredients in one bread don’t automatically apply to another.
Yes, as long as you can follow the storage instructions for the bread you choose until it’s time to serve. Check the packaging to see whether and how the bread can be frozen, and plan when you’ll need to take it out.
