Who is this choice for?

Students who want to reduce food waste

If you don’t eat bread every day, buying half a loaf or freezing portions can help stop a whole loaf going stale before you finish it.

Students who enjoy seeds and grains

If you’re after a firmer bite for a quick meal, look for seeds or grains. Also check separately whether the bread is labelled as wholemeal.

Students who need to check ingredients

If certain ingredients or allergens matter to you, read the information for the specific bread variety you choose. The product name alone doesn’t give you the full picture.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether you want wholemeal bread and what size loaf you’ll use. Then, if you like, choose one with seeds or grains. Always check the ingredients and allergens for the specific variety.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Loaf size and waste See whether half a loaf suits how much you eat, or freeze a whole loaf in portions after buying it. If I only eat bread occasionally, I want to avoid some of it going stale before I get round to eating it. Reducing waste is the top priority for around 36% of consumers.
Wholemeal base Look specifically for the label ‘wholemeal’; colour, seeds and ‘multigrain’ are not substitutes. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. When faced with brown and multigrain loaves, I want to be able to tell which bread is genuinely wholemeal. That certainty is the top priority for around 29% of consumers.
Seeds and grains Check whether the variety you’ve chosen contains seeds or grains, and also look for the ‘wholemeal’ label. For a sandwich or toastie as a quick meal, I’m mainly looking for the flavour and bite of seeds or grains. Around 21% of consumers choose their bread primarily for this texture.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients list and the allergens shown. For unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information. If I need to avoid an ingredient, I need to be able to check the information for this specific loaf. For around 14% of consumers, this is their top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming seeds or a dark colour mean the bread is wholemeal

    Bread can contain seeds, grains or several types of grain without being wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the label ‘wholemeal’ on bread refers to the flour used.

    First check that ‘wholemeal’ appears in the product information, then choose based on flavour or texture.

  • Choosing a whole loaf without considering how much you eat

    If you don’t eat much bread, you may have some left over. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard or 1–3 months in the freezer.

    Choose half a loaf if that suits how much you eat, or freeze a whole loaf in portions after buying it.

  • Guessing the allergens from the product name

    Breads containing seeds, grains or nuts can have different ingredients. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be listed in the ingredients list on prepacked foods.

    Read the label on the variety you’ve chosen. For unpackaged bread, ask the shop for allergen information.

Brands to compare

These supermarket ranges offer options to compare by loaf size and type of bread. Check the current product information for each loaf individually.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s wholemeal bread range includes half and whole loaves.

  • Half a loaf could suit you if you don’t eat bread every day.
  • Check whether the variety you choose contains seeds and the weight shown on the pack.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers various wholemeal breads, including a sunflower seed variety.

  • You can compare bread types and pack sizes across the range.
  • Compare the exact varieties: a difference in loaf size affects how much you’ll have at home.

Lidl

Lidl’s fresh-from-the-oven range includes a wholemeal roll with seeds and grains.

  • An individual roll could suit you if you’re looking for bread for one meal.
  • Check the product information and allergens for the roll you choose in store.

ALDI

ALDI’s freshly baked range includes wholemeal bread and a multigrain variety with grains and seeds.

  • The range description offers a wholemeal option as well as a starting point if you’re looking for seeds.
  • Check the pack to see whether the particular seeded variety you’ve chosen is labelled as wholemeal.

PLUS

PLUS’s wholemeal bread range includes half and whole loaves, including a 400 g half-round wholemeal loaf.

  • A stated pack weight makes it easier to match the amount to how much you eat.
  • Check each product for the ‘wholemeal’ label and whether it contains seeds or grains.

Dirk

Dirk’s search results include both whole and half wholemeal loaves.

  • These loaf sizes give you options if you want to match your purchase to how much you eat.
  • Select the exact type of bread and read the label; search results for ‘wholemeal’ may also include other products.

Products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is bread with seeds automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; seeds and grains can be additional ingredients. So, even when choosing seeded bread, look specifically for the ‘wholemeal’ label.

What should I do with a whole loaf if I don’t eat bread every day?

Freeze it in portions after buying it, or choose half a loaf if that better suits how much you eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping wholemeal bread for 1–3 months in the freezer.

How do I check for allergens in bread with grains or seeds?

For prepacked bread, read the ingredients list and the allergens shown for the variety you’ve chosen. For unpackaged bread, ask the shop for allergen information; don’t rely on the product name alone.

Is multigrain bread the same as wholemeal bread?

Not necessarily. ‘Multigrain’ doesn’t tell you by itself whether the bread is made from wholemeal flour. Check whether it’s also labelled ‘wholemeal’.