For autumn half-term snacks, choose a wholemeal bread that lists seeds among its ingredients if you’re looking for a satisfying crunch. If you’d rather have a smooth-textured slice, finely textured wholemeal bread may suit you better, but don’t assume it contains seeds. Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the bread you choose; a dark colour or the word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you enough.
For toast or small open sandwiches, look for grains and seeds in the bread. Check the ingredients: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, seeds can be added to bread, but they aren’t a standard ingredient in wholemeal bread.
If a coarse, seeded loaf doesn’t go down well, a smooth-textured wholemeal slice may be a better fit. Albert Heijn and Jumbo offer wholemeal options like these; check the ingredients and allergens for each product.
If you’re planning snacks for several days of the holiday, compare fibre and salt per 100 g and store the bread in portions. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread keeps for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1 to 3 months in the freezer.
First, decide what sort of texture you want for your snacks. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information of breads that fit the bill.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Seeds and texture | Check that the bread is wholemeal and see which seeds or grains are listed in the ingredients. | For topped snacks, I want a satisfying bite and seeds I can see in the bread; for around 45% of consumers, that texture is the top priority. |
| Smooth texture | Check whether the wholemeal bread you’ve chosen has a fine texture and whether its ingredients suit the people who’ll be eating it. | For fussy eaters, I mainly want a slice they’ll enjoy, even if that means skipping the seeds; around 33% of consumers prioritise how easy it is to eat. |
| Nutritional information and storage | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and choose a loaf size that you can store properly. | For several snack breaks, I want to compare nutritional values without leaving the rest of the loaf uneaten; this matters most to around 22% of consumers. |
‘Multigrain’, ‘wholemeal’ and ‘seeded’ don’t mean the same thing. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says seeds can be added to bread, so the word ‘multigrain’ on its own doesn’t confirm that a loaf contains seeds.
Check both the wholemeal description and the ingredients list for the seeds you’re looking for.
Sesame is an allergen that must be declared, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. Even bread with no visible sesame may have relevant allergen information.
For prepacked bread, read the current label. For unpackaged bread, ask about allergen information before you buy.
A whole loaf may be more than you need for a few snack breaks. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a shorter storage time for wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard than in the freezer.
Choose a suitable size or freeze portions soon after buying them for later.
A supermarket chain with a documented wholemeal option whose ingredients and nutritional values you can check.
A supermarket chain with a smooth-textured wholemeal option for anyone who isn’t looking for a coarse, seedy texture.
A supermarket chain where you can compare a seeded wholemeal multigrain loaf with a separate high-fibre option.
A supermarket chain with smooth-textured wholemeal options for anyone who prioritises the texture of their bread.
A supermarket chain where you can explore different types of bread in the wholemeal category.
A supermarket chain with wholemeal options for anyone who wants to compare individual types of bread.
Check separately whether the bread is labelled wholemeal and which seeds are listed in the ingredients. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, seeds can be added to bread, but a coating of seeds or a dark colour doesn’t tell you what the full ingredients are.
For prepacked bread, allergen information is on the label; for unpackaged bread, the seller must be able to provide it before you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists sesame as an allergen that consumers must be informed about.
Don’t assume so without checking: look at the ingredients of the bread you choose. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH Extra lang lekker Zaans volkoren heel, while Jumbo lists baker’s salt in Fijn Volkorenbrood.
Freeze portions if you won’t use the bread within a few days. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread keeps for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1 to 3 months in the freezer; if the packaging is sealed, follow the storage instructions on the label too.
