Choose sliced multigrain bread if you want to make breakfast or lunch quickly at your holiday home without a bread knife, but check the slice thickness if medium-sliced bread is important to you. Choose a whole or half loaf to suit the number of people and the freezer space available; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you want to store it. If you want wholemeal bread, check the product description rather than relying on the name ‘multigrain’ alone.
Sliced bread is handy when you’re making breakfast or lunch for several people without a bread knife. If you specifically want medium-sliced bread, check the slice thickness on the packaging or in the bakery section.
Half a loaf may be a better fit for a few breakfasts and lunches. If you have freezer space, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says you can freeze a whole loaf in portions as soon as you buy it, then take out only what you need.
If you’re looking for wholemeal bread or need to check ingredients and allergens, make sure you check the specific loaf. According to Brood.net, the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t mean a loaf is wholemeal; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also says that using baker’s salt is not compulsory.
First, work out how much bread you’ll need during your stay. Then check the slice thickness and any other features that matter to your group.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-to-use convenience | Check that the bread is sliced and that the slices are the thickness you want. | If I’m making breakfast or lunch without a bread knife, I want slices I can use straight away. Around 31% of consumers put this convenience first. |
| Wholemeal base | Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name or on the label. If you like, compare the nutritional information per 100 g. | If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread for everyday use, don’t rely on the name ‘multigrain’ alone. Around 25% of consumers make a wholemeal base their first consideration. |
| Size and storage | Choose a whole or half loaf to suit the number of meals and the freezer space available. | On a short break, I want to avoid having a whole loaf left over. Around 25% of consumers prioritise avoiding waste. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the allergen information and ingredients list. Check separately for baker’s salt if it’s relevant to your choice. | If the ingredients are a deciding factor, I want to know what’s in the bread before I buy it. This check matters most to around 19% of consumers. |
‘Multigrain’ means the bread contains several types of grain; it doesn’t mean it has to be made with wholemeal flour. Brood.net says multigrain bread can be white, brown or wholemeal.
If you specifically want wholemeal, look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name or on the label. The colour and visible seeds aren’t a substitute.
If there are only a few of you or you’re staying for a short time, you may have bread left over before you can finish it.
Count the breakfasts and lunches you’re planning. If needed, choose half a loaf, or freeze a whole loaf in portions as soon as you buy it, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, if you have freezer space.
A ‘sliced’ label doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. That can matter if you want a particular thickness for sandwiches or toasties.
Check the packaging or look at the slices in the bakery section. If necessary, ask about the slice thickness before choosing bread for the whole group.
Multigrain bread may contain ingredients that matter to someone in your group. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when baking bread is not compulsory.
For packaged bread, read the current label. For unpackaged bread, ask for the allergen information. If it matters to your choice, also check separately whether baker’s salt has been used.
Albert Heijn lists sliced multigrain bread, including AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen gesneden.
Jumbo lists multigrain bread in both whole and half-loaf sizes.
Lidl lists a multigrain loaf from its freshly baked range as an in-store product.
ALDI lists a pre-sliced luxury multigrain hearth loaf and a half boeren-volkoren-meergranenbrood.
PLUS lists a range of multigrain breads, including sourdough options, in its online bread range.
Dirk lists several half multigrain loaves, including Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half and Multikorn volkoren half.
No. According to Brood.net, multigrain bread can be white, brown or wholemeal. If you want wholemeal bread, look specifically for the ‘wholemeal’ label.
Choose an amount to suit the number of people and meals: half a loaf may be enough for a small group. If you have a freezer, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it, then taking out what you need each day.
For packaged bread, the allergen information is on the label. For unpackaged bread, the seller must be able to tell customers about any allergens present, according to the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. Ask before you choose.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt when baking bread is not compulsory. Check the ingredients or ask about it when buying unpackaged bread if it matters to your choice.
