Who are these choices relevant to?

The fibre-conscious weekly shopper

You’re looking for bread that is clearly labelled as wholemeal, and you also want to compare the fibre and salt content per 100 g. Check any claims on the packaging of the specific variety.

The fan of seeds and texture

You want seeds in your bread, but you don’t take the label ‘mixed seed’ as proof that all the flour used is wholemeal.

The stock-planner checking for allergens

You buy bread to last several days and want to be able to freeze portions. If someone has an allergy, you’ll also want to check the latest information on ingredients such as cereals and sesame before buying.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the product description, then read the ingredients and nutritional information. Finally, work out how much bread you can use or freeze this week.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Clearly labelled as wholemeal Look for the wholemeal bread label. If the name includes ‘mixed seed’ or ‘multigrain’, check the ingredients list too. If I want to buy genuinely wholemeal bread, a dark colour or a name containing ‘multigrain’ isn’t enough. Around 36% of consumers prioritise whether bread is wholemeal.
Bread for the week Choose a whole, half or sliced loaf to suit how much you use and the freezer space you have for portions. When my bread consumption varies, I want to avoid leaving the last few slices uneaten. Stock planning is the biggest consideration for around 29% of consumers.
Seeds and allergens Check which seeds are listed and read the latest allergen information, including for unpackaged bread. I’m looking for bread with the seeds I enjoy, but if I have an allergy, I also need to know which ingredients or possible traces it contains. This combination is a priority for around 21% of consumers.
Salt and iodine Compare the salt content per 100 g and check which salt is listed for the specific bread variety. If the salt or type of salt used is a deciding factor for me, I don’t want to rely on a general claim about bread. This is the main consideration for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming mixed-seed or multigrain means wholemeal

    According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ refers to the use of different types of grain, not to whether all the flour is wholemeal. For example, PLUS describes its Korenlanders Rond licht meerzaden half as brown multigrain bread; the ingredients list includes both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour.

    First look for the wholemeal bread label, then check the ingredients list for the seeds you want.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan

    A large loaf won’t necessarily suit how much bread you eat throughout the week. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread keeps for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard.

    Choose a size you can finish in time, and freeze the slices you’ll need later in portions straight away.

  • Skipping the allergen information

    Sesame may be relevant in seeded bread. Gluten-containing cereals and other ingredients also need attention if someone has an allergy. Ingredients vary by variety.

    For packaged bread, read the latest information on the packaging. For unpackaged bread, ask about allergens before buying.

  • Assuming a nutrition claim applies to all seeded bread

    A claim about reduced salt or increased fibre applies to a specific bread variety and basis of comparison. A claim on one loaf tells you nothing about the nutritional value of another seeded bread.

    Compare salt and fibre per 100 g using the latest nutrition tables, and check what any comparative claim refers to.

Brands to consider

These ranges can help you find bread with seeds. Always check the label and ingredients of the loaf you actually choose.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers wholemeal bread varieties online, including a mixed-seed option.

  • A specific product page can help you compare varieties.
  • Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change, so check the latest packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists wholemeal and multigrain bread varieties online.

  • The range can help you find a specific type of bread.
  • A multigrain name doesn’t confirm that the variety is entirely wholemeal or contains seeds.

ALDI

ALDI lists options including Boeren volkoren meergranen with grains and seeds, as well as a separate extra-high-fibre wholemeal bread.

  • The names help distinguish between bread with seeds and a variety with a specific nutrition claim.
  • Don’t assume both varieties contain the same seeds or have the same nutritional value; check the packaging of the loaf you choose.

PLUS

PLUS offers Korenlanders mixed-seed breads, with ingredients and allergen information available online.

  • For Korenlanders Rond licht meerzaden half, you can assess the product description and ingredients separately.
  • PLUS describes this variety as brown multigrain bread; as well as wholemeal wheat flour, the ingredients include wheat flour.

Dirk

Dirk lists bread from Bakker van der Akker, including boeren-meerzadenbrood and wholemeal bread.

  • The description of the boeren-meerzadenbrood mentions seeds.
  • Dirk describes this variety as brown wheat bread, so check the product description if wholemeal bread is a must.

Lidl

Lidl describes a bread range that includes wholemeal and multigrain options.

  • Both types are mentioned in the range information.
  • Check the wholemeal label, seeds and ingredients of each loaf in store. A range description isn’t the label for a specific variety.

Seeded wholemeal bread at Joybuy

Related products will appear soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is mixed-seed bread automatically wholemeal?

No. The name ‘mixed seed’ doesn’t confirm that all the flour used is wholemeal. The Voedingscentrum also explains that ‘multigrain’ refers to different types of grain, not to whether bread is wholemeal. So look for the wholemeal bread label, then check the ingredients for seeds.

Which allergens should I check in seeded bread?

At the very least, check which gluten-containing cereals are listed and whether the bread contains sesame. Depending on the variety, other allergens or warnings about possible traces may also be relevant. For packaged bread, read the latest information; for unpackaged bread, ask about allergens before buying.

How can I keep wholemeal bread fresh for the whole week?

Freeze the portions you want to eat later in the week as soon as you get home, and only take out what you need. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread keeps for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard; also follow the storage instructions on your bread’s packaging.