Who is this relevant to?

Travellers who prioritise wholemeal bread

You want to take seeded bread with you, but wholemeal matters more to you than a multigrain name. The wholemeal label and the ingredients of the exact loaf will help you make your choice.

Fans of seeds and kernels you can identify

You’re looking for texture from ingredients such as linseed, sunflower seeds or sesame seeds. Check which seeds are actually in the bread, and look at the allergen information if it matters to you.

Families shopping for several days of travel

You don’t want to open or take the whole loaf at once. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing bread in portions after purchase and taking out only what you need each time.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the wholemeal label if that’s your top priority. Then compare the seeds and allergens listed on the label, and consider how much bread you’ll need for each day of your trip.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Wholemeal status Look for the wholemeal label and check which types of flour are listed in the ingredients. If wholemeal is my priority, I don’t want to choose a loaf based on its seed mix alone. An estimated 36% of consumers say this reassurance is their top requirement.
Seeds and allergens Check the seeds listed and the allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ warning. To get the texture I’m after, I want to know which kernels or seeds I’m taking with me; if I have an allergy, the packaging must also suit my needs. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this.
Portions and storage Check the storage instructions and work out how much bread you’ll need for each day of your trip. On a trip lasting several days, I don’t want to rely on one whole loaf that’s already been opened. For an estimated 21% of consumers, planning portions is their main concern.
Where to shop Before setting off, check the exact loaf at your chosen store and compare the packaging with what you’re looking for. If I’m shopping on the day I leave, I want to be able to find a suitable loaf without having to guess what’s in it in store. This is the biggest consideration for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing multiseed with wholemeal

    A loaf can have plenty of visible seeds and still contain white wheat flour. PLUS lists both 30% wholemeal wheat flour and 22% wheat flour for Korenlanders Licht Meerzaden.

    If wholemeal is your top priority, look for the wholemeal label before comparing the seed mix.

  • Relying on the product name alone for allergen information

    A bread’s name doesn’t tell you which allergens it contains or whether the packaging carries a ‘may contain’ warning. Sesame, for example, is found in some seeded breads.

    If you have an allergy, check the current ingredients and allergen information for the loaf you’re buying.

  • Taking an opened whole loaf on a trip lasting several days

    Bread you don’t use in time can dry out or go off. So it’s worth considering how much you open at once when planning a trip lasting several days.

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it, then taking only what you need each day. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging too.

    Bread that’s no longer suitable to eat while you’re travelling will have to be thrown away.

  • Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. The type of salt can therefore vary from one loaf to another.

    If you want to know, look for baker’s salt or iodised salt on the label. For unpackaged bread, ask the baker which ingredients they use.

Brands to consider

ALDI

ALDI describes Boeren volkoren meergranen heel as bread made with grains and seeds.

  • ALDI’s bread page says its wholemeal breads are made with 100% wholemeal flour.
  • Check the current packaging to see which seeds and allergens are in the exact loaf.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes products including Rond Korn Volkoren for anyone looking for wholemeal bread with identifiable seeds.

  • Jumbo lists oat flakes, linseed, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds for Rond Korn Volkoren.
  • Check the current label for the ingredients and allergens in the loaf you’re buying.

PLUS

PLUS Korenlanders Licht Meerzaden rond heel shows why the seed mix and wholemeal status are separate things to consider.

  • PLUS lists 3.3% sunflower seeds, 3.0% linseed and 1.7% sesame seeds.
  • The loaf also contains 30% wholemeal wheat flour and 22% wheat flour, so don’t treat it as fully wholemeal bread.

Dirk

Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Bakkers Multikorn volkoren heel as wholemeal bread.

  • The product name makes it easy to identify the whole loaf to compare in store.
  • If the seeds are a deciding factor for you, check the packaging to see which ingredients this loaf contains.

Albert Heijn

AH Extra lang lekker Zaans volkoren heel is a wholemeal option if planning portions matters more to you than a specific seed mix.

  • Albert Heijn says this loaf can be frozen at home on the day you buy it.
  • If you specifically want seeded bread, check the ingredients of the variety you choose.

Lidl

Lidl lists wholemeal bread as a product category in its range of wholemeal products.

  • The range gives you a starting point for looking at wholemeal bread in store.
  • Compare the wholemeal label, seeds and allergens on the packaging for each loaf.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will appear soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multiseed bread automatically wholemeal bread?

No. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, the grain ingredient in a product labelled wholemeal must consist entirely of wholemeal flour. Multiseed bread may also contain white flour: PLUS lists 30% wholemeal wheat flour and 22% wheat flour for Korenlanders Licht Meerzaden.

What should I check on seeded bread if I have an allergy?

Check the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the current packaging. Don’t rely only on the name or the visible seeds: the allergen information applies to the exact loaf you’re taking with you.

How can I take wholemeal bread with me for several days of travel?

If you don’t need the whole loaf at once, divide it into portions before you set off. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it and taking out only what you’ll use each time; also follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the loaf you’ve chosen.

Does bread in the Netherlands always contain iodised salt?

No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients for baker’s salt or iodised salt, or ask which type of salt was used if you’re buying unpackaged bread.