BBQ host who wants to serve wholemeal bread
You’re looking for a bread option to serve alongside the other BBQ dishes, and want to be able to confirm it’s wholemeal from the product labelling rather than relying on its dark colour or visible seeds.
If you want to serve bread at your BBQ that’s clearly wholemeal, choose a croissant only if that specific product is labelled as wholemeal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises that seeded and multigrain products aren’t automatically wholemeal. If you can’t confirm that a croissant is labelled wholemeal, an explicitly labelled wholemeal roll or baguette is an easier alternative to check, although it has a different shape and texture.
You’re looking for a bread option to serve alongside the other BBQ dishes, and want to be able to confirm it’s wholemeal from the product labelling rather than relying on its dark colour or visible seeds.
You’d like to serve croissants, but also want to compare the nutritional information. If a croissant isn’t clearly labelled as wholemeal, you want to weigh up whether a wholemeal roll might better suit your needs.
You’re buying for guests with different dietary needs and want to check the current ingredients and allergen information for the exact product you’ve chosen before serving it.
First, decide whether wholemeal is a must-have for you. Then compare suitable croissants and bread alternatives by their nutritional information, preparation method and the quantity you need.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for a wholemeal label on the exact product and compare the fibre content per 100 g of similar products. | If I want to serve wholemeal bread, a croissant with seeds alone isn’t enough for me. Around 33% of consumers prioritise products that are clearly labelled wholemeal. |
| Croissants and convenience | Check whether the product is fresh, frozen or ready to bake. Also check the number of pieces and the preparation instructions. | I want to be able to serve croissants at a time that suits the meal, even if that means skipping wholemeal bread. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information for the exact product. For unpackaged products, ask the retailer for this information. | When I’m buying for a guest with a dietary restriction, I want to know which ingredients are relevant before serving. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Quantity and freshness | Choose the number of pieces to suit your guests, and check whether you can prepare frozen or ready-to-bake products in batches, following the instructions on the packaging. | If not everyone has confirmed they’re coming yet, I don’t want to prepare all the rolls in advance and be left with lots of leftovers. Around 20% of consumers give this their highest priority. |
Seeds on a croissant don’t tell you whether the flour used is wholemeal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also explains that multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal.
Look for an explicit wholemeal label on the product. If you’re comparing similar options, then check the fibre content per 100 g.
Albert Heijn notes that ingredients and allergen information for its Meerzaden croissant, among other details, can change. That means an old product description isn’t a safe source of information when serving someone with an allergy.
Check the packaging of the product you’ve bought. For an unpackaged croissant, ask the retailer for the latest allergen information.
A range of fresh, ready-to-bake and frozen croissants doesn’t tell you which ones are wholemeal. Jumbo also offers separate wholemeal bread options alongside its croissants.
If you can’t confirm that your preferred croissant is labelled wholemeal, look specifically for an explicitly labelled wholemeal roll or baguette.
If you’re not sure how many people will come to your BBQ, you could be left with prepared rolls that nobody eats.
Choose a suitable quantity and, where possible, prepare frozen or ready-to-bake products in batches, following the instructions on the packaging.
Albert Heijn offers a range of croissants, including an AH Meerzaden croissant.
Jumbo offers croissants in different formats, as well as wholemeal rolls and a wholemeal baguette, among other products.
ALDI Netherlands includes croissants in its ready-to-bake range and lists wholemeal bread separately in its fresh daily bread range.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that, for bread, multigrain refers to the use of different types of grain; it doesn’t mean that all the flour is wholemeal. Visible seeds don’t confirm this either. So look for an explicit wholemeal label on the croissant you want to buy.
Compare similar products by their fibre content per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using this measure because portion sizes can vary. You may also want to check the stated salt and saturated fat content. A wholemeal label alone doesn’t tell you about these other nutritional values.
Check the latest allergen information for the exact product before serving it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on labels. For a packaged product, read the label; for an unpackaged product, ask the retailer for allergen information.
No. Information about baker’s salt doesn’t tell you how much iodine is in an individual croissant. If you need this product information, ask the manufacturer or retailer for details about the specific croissant.