For a late-night snack, first choose bread that is explicitly labelled wholemeal. Then compare the seeds, portion size, fibre, salt and allergens on the label. With an individual roll, you choose one portion in advance; with a whole loaf, you decide how many slices to have. A reduced-carbohydrate option is most relevant if you want to compare carbohydrate levels, and the reference used for the claim matters.
You want an evening sandwich or roll with visible seeds and kernels, made with a wholemeal base. Check the base separately: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain does not automatically mean wholemeal.
You want to have one roll or decide in advance how many slices to eat. Also consider the topping when deciding how substantial your snack will be.
You might compare fibre, carbohydrates or salt, and check the allergens in the specific bread. This matters more to your choice than a name such as ‘multiseed’ or ‘reduced carbohydrate’ alone.
Start with the wholemeal base. Then decide whether snack size, seeds and texture, or comparing carbohydrate levels matters most to you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and compare fibre per 100 g. | If I want a sandwich with a wholemeal base, I look beyond the dark colour or seeds on the crust. For around 36% of consumers, wholemeal and fibre are the main priorities. |
| Portion size | Compare the weight of each roll, or decide in advance how many slices to have; remember to factor in the topping. | For a small evening snack, I want to choose how much bread to have without an individual roll automatically counting as one slice. Portion size takes priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Seeds and texture | Check which seeds and kernels are listed in the ingredients, and read the allergen information. | I’m looking for visible seeds in the bread, but I also want to know whether it contains sesame. For around 21% of consumers, the choice of seeds and texture matters most. |
| Carbohydrates | Compare carbohydrates per 100 g and check which bread any reduction claim is based on. | If fewer carbohydrates are my main criterion, I want to know what the comparison is based on and whether the bread otherwise suits my preferences. Comparing carbohydrates is the main priority for around 14% of consumers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain means that more than one type of grain is used. The name alone does not confirm that the bread has a wholemeal base.
Before comparing the seeds, check that ‘wholemeal’ is explicitly stated on the label or in the product description.
The listed ingredients vary from one loaf to another. The Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS products described here include sesame and cereals containing gluten; some varieties also list soya.
Check the allergen information on the packaging every time you buy the bread you’ve chosen.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that bread is made with baker’s salt with added iodine, but bakers are not required to use baker’s salt.
For packaged bread, check the ingredients list; for unpackaged bread, ask which salt has been used.
The claim listed by PLUS for PLUS Korenlanders Koolhydraat 40% verlaagd vloer heel is for 40% fewer carbohydrates compared with a fine wholemeal wheat bread with seeds, not every other wholemeal bread.
Check what the comparison is based on, then also look at the nutritional information per 100 g, portion size and allergens.
A useful starting point if you want to compare packaged multiseed bread with individual wholemeal multiseed rolls.
A useful starting point if you’re choosing between a whole loaf of wholemeal multigrain bread with seeds and individual wholemeal-korn rolls.
A useful starting point if you’re looking for an individual, freshly baked wholemeal roll with seeds and kernels.
A useful starting point if you want to look at wholemeal multigrain bread with seeds in store.
A useful starting point if you want to compare reduced-carbohydrate wholemeal bread with other seeded loaves.
A useful starting point for exploring different wholemeal and multigrain options.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain refers to bread made with at least three types of grain; the term alone does not mean that the bread is wholemeal. So look for the explicit word ‘wholemeal’ on the label.
Always check the allergen information for the specific bread. The varieties described from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contain cereals with gluten and sesame; some varieties also list soya or warnings about traces of other allergens.
You can’t assume that. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. For packaged bread, check the ingredients list; for unpackaged bread, ask which salt has been used.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the bread you choose. For the products described here, Albert Heijn and Jumbo recommend storing the bread in a dry place and say it can be frozen on the day of purchase. After defrosting, follow the instructions for that product.
It’s a suitable choice if comparing carbohydrate levels is your priority. PLUS Korenlanders Koolhydraat 40% verlaagd vloer heel makes its claim compared with a specific fine wholemeal wheat bread with seeds; also compare the portion size, other nutritional information and allergens of the breads you’re considering.
