If the person you’re buying bread for can chew comfortably, wholemeal bread with seeds could be a good choice for afternoon coffee when a firmer texture is what they prefer. If they have difficulty chewing or swallowing, a finer, softer texture is a more sensible place to start. For either option, check that it’s labelled wholemeal, compare the salt per 100 g and read the allergen information.
A savoury slice of bread can be part of an afternoon coffee break without having to replace a meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists wholemeal bread as a source of fibre, vitamins and minerals.
A firm seeded loaf won’t necessarily suit someone who struggles with a hard crust, coarse grains or loose seeds. If chewing or swallowing difficulties persist, the Dutch Association for Speech and Language Therapy and Phoniatrics recommends seeking individual advice from a speech and language therapist.
If you need to watch your salt intake or avoid certain ingredients, compare loaves individually. The ingredients and allergens in one seeded loaf may differ from those in another.
Start with a texture that’s comfortable to eat. Then check that the bread is labelled wholemeal, and compare the nutritional information and ingredients on the packaging.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare fibre on a like-for-like basis, for example per 100 g. | If I want a slice of wholemeal bread with my coffee, I don’t want to judge by visible seeds alone. Around 36% of consumers say this choice of wholemeal bread and fibre is their priority. |
| Chewing comfort | Consider whether the crust and seeds are comfortable to chew; look for a finer, softer texture if needed. | A firm crust makes my slice with coffee less appealing if chewing is difficult. That’s why around 29% of consumers put chewing comfort first. |
| Salt and ingredients | Compare salt per 100 g and read both the ingredients list and the allergen information. | If I need to watch my salt intake or avoid certain ingredients, I want to check the packaging before choosing a loaf. That’s the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Size and availability | Check whether a whole, half or sliced loaf suits how you’ll use it, and confirm it’s currently available. | If I’m having just one slice with coffee, I want to buy an amount that suits my household. Around 14% of consumers put this practical consideration first. |
Visible seeds and a mix of grains don’t tell you whether the grain ingredients are wholemeal.
First, look for the wholemeal label. Then compare the seeds and nutritional information that matter to you.
A hard crust or coarse seeds can be difficult for someone who has trouble chewing or swallowing.
Don’t choose based on appearance alone. If in doubt, look for a finer texture and ask a speech and language therapist for individual advice if difficulties persist.
Albert Heijn lists 0.88 g of salt per 100 g for its organic batard volkoren zonnepit, which also contains sesame and soya, among other ingredients. Other loaves have their own ingredients and nutritional values.
For the loaf you choose, check the salt content and read both the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ allergen statements.
A loaf listed on a product page may no longer be available: Jumbo says its Volkoren Meergranen Brood is no longer part of its online range.
Check current availability, and read the label on the loaf you actually buy.
These brands offer useful examples of bread varieties and product information to compare. Ultimately, choose based on the specific loaf and its current label.
Its range includes the organic batard volkoren zonnepit.
The product information for Jumbo Volkoren Meergranen Brood shows which ingredients and nutritional values you can compare in a multigrain loaf.
Its Boeren volkoren meergranen is described as a bread made with grains and seeds.
Its bake-at-home wholemeal multigrain option could suit you if you’d like this format with your coffee.
Its Vloerbrood meergranen heel is described as a firm loaf made with grains and seeds.
It offers a wholemeal range and bread baked in store.
Not necessarily: seeds and a variety of grains don’t, by themselves, tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal. Check the packaging to see if it’s labelled wholemeal before comparing seeds or other ingredients.
A firm seeded loaf won’t necessarily be a comfortable choice. Look for a texture that suits the person eating it, and seek individual advice from a speech and language therapist if chewing or swallowing difficulties persist.
Compare the salt per 100 g on the labels of the loaves you’re considering. The presence of seeds or the amount of fibre won’t tell you how much salt a loaf contains.
Don’t assume this is the case for every loaf. If iodised salt matters to you, check the ingredients list for the specific product.
