Pre-sliced multigrain bread is handy when you want to prepare several sandwiches for an Easter breakfast or brunch, but ‘sliced’ doesn’t necessarily mean the slices are medium-thick. Choose a loaf labelled ‘wholemeal’ if that’s important to you: according to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ on its own doesn’t mean that wholemeal flour has been used. Check the slicing thickness, allergens and storage instructions for the specific loaf too.
You want sliced multigrain bread, but you don’t want to choose based on the name or appearance alone. According to the Voedingscentrum, the ‘wholemeal’ label tells you what type of flour has been used; you can compare fibre and salt per 100 g in the nutritional information.
You want to prepare sandwiches for an Easter breakfast or brunch without having to slice a whole loaf first. Check whether the loaf you choose is pre-sliced and whether the slices are the right thickness for your toppings.
You’re buying bread for a guest who needs to avoid gluten or has a food allergy. Read the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product: the word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you which grains or other allergens it contains.
First decide which requirement matters most for your Easter breakfast. Then check the slicing style and product information for the loaf you’re actually buying.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ on the loaf and compare fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ does not mean the same as wholemeal. | If I want to serve wholemeal bread, I want to be able to confirm that from the packaging rather than judging by its colour. Around 33% of consumers give wholemeal and fibre top priority. |
| Slice thickness and serving convenience | Check whether the bread is sliced, and ask about the thickness if you’re looking for medium-thick slices. | When I’m hosting a brunch for several guests, I want to prepare sandwiches quickly without being surprised by a different slice thickness. For around 27% of consumers, serving convenience comes first. |
| Allergens | Read the latest allergen information for the specific loaf; if gluten needs to be avoided, check that it is explicitly labelled ‘gluten-free’. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in this particular loaf. For around 20% of consumers, checking this is their first concern. |
| Storage and leftovers | Check the date and storage advice on the packaging, and choose an amount that suits the number of people eating. | If I buy the bread well before Easter, I want to know how to store it until breakfast and afterwards. Planning how to store it is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain refers to different types of grain; it doesn’t automatically mean that wholemeal flour has been used. You could end up choosing a loaf that doesn’t match your preference for wholemeal bread.
Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the specific loaf, then compare the nutritional information per 100 g.
‘Sliced’ doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. You’ll notice the difference if you’re looking for slices that work well with generously topped sandwiches.
Ask the shop about the slice thickness or take a look at the loaf. With a whole loaf, you can choose the thickness yourself, but you’ll need to slice it too.
The Waldkorn Meergranen Brood Half described by Jumbo contains, among other things, gluten-containing grains, soya and sesame. Other allergens still matter even when a multigrain loaf is explicitly labelled gluten-free.
Read the latest ingredients and allergen information for the specific product, and check for the ‘gluten-free’ label if gluten needs to be avoided.
You may have bread left over after an Easter breakfast, especially if you do your shopping well in advance.
Choose an amount that suits the number of people eating. If you want to freeze the bread, check the storage advice on the packaging and divide it into portions if needed.
Albert Heijn’s multigrain range includes both sliced and whole loaves.
Jumbo offers multigrain loaves in a range of options, including whole and half loaves.
Lidl describes a multigrain loaf containing, among other ingredients, wheat, barley and buckwheat.
PLUS offers standard multigrain loaves as well as explicitly gluten-free multigrain products from Schär.
Dirk’s search results list multigrain options, including half loaves.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread is made with at least three different types of grain; this doesn’t mean the flour is wholemeal. If that’s the deciding factor for you, look for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the loaf.
No, its use is not required by law, according to brood.net professionals. The Government Gazette described in its 2008 agreement on baker’s salt how the government encourages the use of iodised salt in bread-making. Check the ingredients list if the type of salt used is important to your choice.
If gluten needs to be avoided, choose bread explicitly labelled ‘gluten-free’ and check the other allergen information for the specific product too. For example, Jumbo’s product information shows that standard multigrain bread may contain gluten-containing grains, soya and sesame; a gluten-free label doesn’t tell you about all other allergens.
Follow the date and storage instructions on the packaging of the loaf you choose. For opened brown bread, the Voedingscentrum gives a general guideline of 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard or 1–3 months in the freezer; freezing it in portions is useful if you don’t need the whole loaf at once.
