If you want to choose the thickness of the slices for generously filled lunch snacks, opt for a whole multigrain loaf that you can slice yourself. Pre-sliced bread saves time when serving, but the label ‘sliced’ doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. Check separately whether the bread is wholemeal, and read the label of the product you choose for allergen and nutritional information.
For a snack with plenty of filling, you’ll want to choose how thick to cut each slice. A whole loaf gives you that option; with pre-sliced bread, you can only judge the thickness by looking at the loaf or asking the shop.
You’re looking for multigrain bread that’s also wholemeal, and want to compare its nutritional value. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ tells you how many different types of grain are used; it doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether the bread is wholemeal. So check the product name, ingredients and fibre per 100 g.
If you need to prepare several lunches at once, pre-sliced bread saves you time cutting it. Part-baked baguettes are another option, provided you have the time and equipment to bake them before serving.
First decide whether choosing the slice thickness yourself or portioning up quickly matters more. Then compare the wholemeal claims and nutritional information of the loaves that suit your kind of lunch.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness and firmness | Check whether you can slice a whole loaf yourself. If the bread is pre-sliced, ask how thick the slices actually are if this is a deciding factor. | For a lunch snack with plenty of filling, I want to be able to cut a slice sturdy enough to hold it; around 42% of consumers prioritise choosing their own slice thickness. |
| Wholemeal and nutritional value | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and compare the ingredients, fibre and salt per 100 g for the exact products. | If I want to choose wholemeal bread, I don’t rely on the name ‘multigrain’ alone. Around 33% of consumers give this check top priority. |
| Portioning and preparation | Check whether the bread is already sliced and whether it needs to be defrosted or baked before lunch. | If lunches need to be served with little preparation, I want to know in advance how much work the bread involves; this is the top consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain. The name doesn’t confirm that the bread is wholemeal or tell you how much fibre it contains.
Check the wholemeal claim, ingredients list and nutritional information for the bread you want to buy. Its colour or visible seeds aren’t a substitute for checking.
A sliced loaf already comes in set slices, but the word ‘sliced’ doesn’t tell you how thick they are. That matters when each slice needs to hold a generous amount of filling.
Choose a whole loaf if you want to decide the thickness yourself. If you’d prefer pre-sliced bread, look at the slices or ask the shop how thickly it’s cut.
Ingredients vary from one multigrain loaf to another. So, for a shared canteen lunch, the type of bread alone doesn’t replace checking the allergen information for the product you choose.
Read the current packaging or product information before serving the bread to others.
The examples show the choices available for each product; a brand name alone doesn’t confirm that a loaf is wholemeal or tell you how thickly it’s sliced.
Albert Heijn describes AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen as a sliced multigrain loaf.
Jumbo describes Stevig Meergranen as a whole wholemeal multigrain loaf with seeds.
PLUS lists both a whole wholemeal multigrain loaf and wholemeal multigrain part-baked baguettes.
ALDI includes a sliced farmhouse wholemeal multigrain loaf in its range.
Dirk stocks multigrain bread in different sizes, including whole and half loaves.
Lidl offers multigrain bread in its bakery range and provides ingredient and allergen information for oven-fresh bread.
These round multigrain loaves are a good fit for a lunch where you want to slice the bread yourself. Allow time to defrost, bake and cool them before slicing.
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An option if you want to choose the slice thickness yourself for several lunch portions.
The pack contains two round loaves of 550 g. You’ll need to allow time to defrost, bake and cool them before slicing.
Check the label if whether the bread is wholemeal, its allergens or the type of salt used matter to you.
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An option if you want to prepare one round loaf and slice it yourself for lunch.
This loaf weighs 550 g and needs to be defrosted, baked and cooled before slicing. Follow the instructions on the packaging for baking time.
Check the label if whether the bread is wholemeal, its allergens or the type of salt used matter to you.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means the bread contains at least three types of grain; it doesn’t confirm that it’s wholemeal. Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging and read the ingredients list.
With a whole loaf, you can choose the slice thickness yourself. If you choose pre-sliced bread, check the slices or ask how thickly it’s cut before relying on it to hold your filling.
No. The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you what type of salt has been used. An agreement published in the Government Gazette encourages the use of iodised baker’s salt in bread, but the ingredients list for the specific loaf is what matters when making your choice.
That depends on the bread and the instructions on the packaging. Albert Heijn and PLUS list freezing options for some individual multigrain loaves; follow the storage and preparation instructions for the bread you buy.
