If you’re choosing wholegrain multigrain bread for a late-night snack, don’t rely on ‘multigrain’, a dark colour or ‘waldkorn’ alone. Check the product description, ingredients and nutritional information. A ready-to-eat whole loaf is handy to keep in stock, small rolls make it easier to know how much you’re having, and bake-at-home bread needs preparing. Whichever format you choose, compare the fibre per 100 g and check the allergen information.
For anyone specifically looking for wholegrain multigrain bread and wanting to compare fibre content. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ tells you which types of grain have been used, but doesn’t necessarily mean the flour is wholegrain.
For anyone who wants to choose late in the evening between ready-to-eat bread, a frozen supply or bread that still needs baking.
For anyone who wants to check the ingredients, allergens and salt content of their chosen bread before buying.
First check that the bread is actually labelled wholegrain. Then choose a format that suits the time and quantity you want, and read the label for the exact product.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain and fibre | Look for ‘wholegrain’ in the product description, read the ingredients and compare fibre per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t confirm that the flour is wholegrain. | I want to know which flour is in my bread and how much fibre the product contains. For around 50% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
| Preparation and quantity | Check whether the bread is ready to eat or needs baking, how many pieces are in the pack and how it should be stored. | If I want something to eat late at night, I want to choose between taking a slice straight away and spending time making a warm roll; around 30% of consumers prioritise this convenience or portion size. |
| Ingredients and salt | Read the current allergen information and compare salt per 100 g. Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt if that matters to you. | I need to be able to check whether this bread contains ingredients I avoid. For around 20% of consumers, checking the label is the main priority. |
A dark colour doesn’t prove that wholemeal flour has been used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains several types of grain; Albert Heijn explains that waldkorn can be made with wholemeal flour, white flour or a combination of the two.
Check the wholegrain wording and ingredients on the pack you’re buying.
According to the product information, PLUS wholegrain multigrain bake-at-home baguette needs 8–10 minutes in the oven or 5–6 minutes in the air fryer.
Choose ready-to-eat bread if you don’t want to prepare it late in the evening; opt for bake-at-home bread if you’d like a warm roll.
As well as gluten-containing cereals, multigrain products may contain other allergens. These vary by product and variety.
Check the current allergen information for the specific bread every time you buy it.
The fact that a product is sold as bread doesn’t tell you which salt has been used in that particular variety.
Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt if you want to know.
AH Extra lang lekker waldkorn volkoren heel is an example of ready-to-eat, wholegrain multigrain bread sold as a whole loaf.
Jumbo Volkoren Meergranenbollen are an example of wholegrain multigrain bread sold in a pack of two rolls.
PLUS has wholegrain multigrain options in the form of bake-at-home baguettes and rolls.
Lidl describes multigrain bread and dark multigrain bread containing ingredients such as wheat, barley and buckwheat.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain; that alone doesn’t mean the flour is wholegrain. Check the wholegrain wording and ingredients for the specific product.
Compare fibre and salt on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and also consider how much you’ll actually eat. A value for a slice or portion can’t be directly compared with a value per 100 g unless you know the weight of that slice or portion.
Some varieties come with specific freezing advice. Albert Heijn says AH Extra lang lekker waldkorn volkoren heel can be frozen on the day of purchase, as does PLUS for Korenlanders Volkoren meergranen bollen. Follow the instructions on the packaging of the bread you buy.
Read the ingredients list for your chosen variety and look for baker’s salt or iodised salt. Don’t rely on the name ‘multigrain bread’ to tell you which salt has been used.
Check the current allergen information for the exact variety you’re buying. The multigrain products reviewed list a range of ingredients, including gluten-containing cereals, soya and sesame; another bread may have a different recipe.
