If you’re looking for a fibre-rich option, don’t rely on the name ‘multigrain’ or the bread’s dark colour alone. Check that it’s labelled wholemeal and compare the nutritional information per 100 g. A whole loaf suits a group if you can freeze any leftover slices; for a smaller group, half a loaf or rolls may be a better fit for the number of meals you’ll need. Bake-at-home bread is an option if your holiday cottage has a suitable oven or air fryer and you have time to prepare it.
If you’re making your own breakfast or lunch at your holiday cottage and want to compare the fibre in different loaves, the wholemeal label and nutritional information are more useful than the bread’s colour. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that ‘multigrain’ does not automatically mean ‘wholemeal’.
For a short stay, half a loaf, rolls or frozen portions may be a better fit for the number of meals you’ll need than a whole loaf that goes uneaten. Be sure to check the storage instructions on the packaging you choose.
When bread contains different grains and seeds, it’s important to check the ingredients list. Depending on the product, the breads discussed here list ingredients such as cereals containing gluten, soya, milk or sesame. Check for any ‘may contain’ warnings, too.
First, check whether the bread is wholemeal and whether its ingredients suit your household. Then choose a quantity and preparation method that work for your stay.
Best for: several people who eat sandwiches every day and can freeze any leftover portions.
Consider: if there’s no freezer, the loaf should be a size you can finish during your stay.
Best for: a small group or a short stay with only a few meals involving bread.
Consider: check the ingredients for each product; a smaller size tells you nothing about allergens or fibre.
Best for: a meal when you’d like to bake the bread just before eating, provided your holiday cottage has a suitable oven or air fryer.
Consider: you’ll need the time and equipment to prepare it according to the packaging instructions.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label, read the ingredients and compare fibre per 100 g. | I want to choose bread based on the flour used and its fibre content, not its dark colour. For around 36% of consumers, choosing wholemeal bread with fibre is the top priority. |
| Allergens | Read the highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings. If you’re buying unwrapped bread, ask about the ingredients before you buy. | If someone in my group needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in each loaf and what it may contain. Around 29% of consumers give this their highest priority. |
| Portions and storage | Choose a quantity that suits the number of people and meals; check the storage instructions and whether there’s a freezer. | For a short stay, I don’t want to open more bread than we can eat or store. For around 21% of consumers, choosing the right quantity matters most. |
| Ready to eat or bake at home | For bake-at-home bread, check what equipment, temperature and cooking time the packaging specifies. | I want to know whether the bread is ready to serve or can be baked just before the meal. For around 14% of consumers, how it’s prepared is the most important consideration. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ refers to different types of grain, not the use of the whole grain. The bread’s colour doesn’t confirm that it’s wholemeal, either.
Check the product description and ingredients list, then compare the fibre content per 100 g.
A whole loaf may be too much for a short stay or a small group. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage guide recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months.
Choose a quantity you can finish, or freeze the bread in portions and follow the instructions on the packaging.
The multigrain products discussed here vary in their ingredients and warnings about the possible presence of allergens. You can’t tell this information from how the bread looks.
Read the current packaging. If you’re buying unwrapped bread, ask about allergen information before you buy.
Bake-at-home products need the equipment and preparation time specified on the packaging. PLUS says that its wholemeal multigrain baguettes included in this review can be prepared in an oven or air fryer.
Before you leave, check what equipment is available at your holiday cottage. If there isn’t a suitable oven or air fryer, choose bread that’s ready to eat.
An example of a wholemeal multigrain loaf for anyone who needs several portions.
Half a loaf may suit a small group looking for wholemeal multigrain bread.
Among the products discussed, you’ll find both wholemeal multigrain baguettes to bake at home and smaller wholemeal multigrain rolls.
Dirk’s search results include both multigrain products and wholemeal multigrain varieties.
No. ‘Multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘wholemeal’. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that multigrain bread is made with different types of grain. To choose wholemeal bread, check the product description, ingredients and fibre per 100 g.
Choose a quantity that suits the length of your stay and, if necessary, freeze any leftover bread in portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage guide recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. Also follow the instructions on the packaging for your chosen product.
The wholemeal multigrain breads containing wheat discussed here are not gluten-free. The name ‘multigrain’ on its own says nothing about whether a product is gluten-free. Check the ingredients for every product and, if needed, look for a gluten-free label.
For prepacked bread, read the ingredients list and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. If you’re buying unwrapped bread, ask for allergen information before you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergen information must be provided on labels.
