Who this choice matters to

If you look for wholegrain at breakfast

You want to choose wholemeal rye bread rather than judging by its colour or how many seeds you can see. The product description and ingredients list can help you identify wholemeal flour or meal.

If you’re looking for a particular seed mix

Sunflower seeds, linseed or sesame can give you the texture you’re after. What matters is which of these are actually listed as ingredients for the individual loaf.

If you need to check ingredients and allergens

You check for gluten-containing cereals, sesame or precautionary ‘may contain’ information. Always read the details on the current pack or the information provided for the specific bakery product.

What to look for when buying

First decide whether you need wholegrain and a particular seed mix in the same loaf. Then check the allergens and make sure the pack size and where you buy it fit your breakfast routine.

What to check What to look for Who it matters to
Wholegrain Look for ‘wholemeal bread’ in the product description and wholemeal rye flour or meal in the ingredients list. According to Lebensmittelklarheit, at least 90% of the grain in wholemeal bread should be wholegrain. I want to choose wholemeal bread for breakfast rather than judge it by its colour. Around 33% of consumers put wholegrain first when making this choice.
Seeds and texture Look for the seeds you want in the ingredients list and compare their proportions if these are given. For example, REWE lists sunflower seeds, sesame and linseed in its Back Bord Bio Bioland Vollkorn-Roggen-Saaten. For me, the texture of a particular seed mix is the main thing at breakfast. Around 25% of consumers give this priority.
Ingredients and allergens Check the allergens highlighted on the current pack, as well as any precautionary ‘may contain’ information. Rye contains gluten; some seeded breads also contain spelt or sesame. Before the bread goes on my breakfast table, I need to check its ingredients against my requirements. For around 25% of consumers, this is the most important buying criterion.
Convenience for everyday use Compare pack size, whether it’s sliced and storage instructions; also check what your local supermarket stocks. EDEKA notes that some products are not available in every store. During the week, I want to be able to plan for bread without making an extra shopping trip. This is the main consideration for around 17% of consumers.

Common mistakes when buying bread

  • Assuming a loaf with visible seeds is wholemeal

    A dark colour and visible seeds don’t, on their own, tell you whether the grain used is wholegrain.

    Look for ‘wholemeal bread’ in the product description and check that the ingredients list includes wholemeal flour or meal.

  • Buying seeded bread without checking the allergens

    Seeded rye bread can contain sesame and other gluten-containing cereals. Depending on the product, there may also be precautionary information about other allergens.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information each time you buy a new pack, even if you already know the brand.

  • Comparing nutritional information based on different serving sizes

    Figures per portion and per 100 g aren’t directly comparable.

    For example, compare fibre and salt per 100 g first, then take into account how much bread you actually plan to eat.

  • Assuming your local store will always stock the same range

    What’s available can vary from one store to another. A brand name alone also doesn’t tell you the ingredients of the bakery product currently on offer.

    Check the specific product at the store where you usually shop, and keep a suitable alternative in mind for your breakfast plans.

Brands and product ranges to help you choose

Back Bord

The Back Bord Bio Bioland Vollkorn-Roggen-Saaten 500 g, listed by REWE, is a specific example of bread made with wholemeal rye and several declared seeds.

  • REWE lists sunflower seeds, sesame and linseed among the ingredients of this product.
  • The recipe also contains spelt and sesame; check the label if you have specific dietary requirements.

REWE Bio

The 500 g rye wholemeal bread is a packaged wholegrain option if seeds aren’t essential to your choice.

  • REWE lists wholemeal rye meal and natural sourdough, as well as 10,4 g of fibre and 1,1 g of salt per 100 g.
  • No seed mix is listed for this product; it also carries precautionary information about possible traces of soya, sesame and nuts.

EDEKA Bio

The range listed includes a selection of breads with seeded varieties, as well as wholemeal rye crispbread with sesame.

  • For its crispbread, EDEKA lists 84% wholemeal rye flour and 10% sesame. The bread selection also includes sunflower seed bread made with wholemeal rye meal.
  • Crispbread has a different texture from soft bread. Check the current pack and what your local store stocks for both products.

LIDL Unser Brot

This in-store bakery range is worth considering if you’re looking for freshly baked bread for breakfast.

  • Lidl describes the range as freshly baked several times a day, and lists multigrain bread and breads made with natural rye sourdough.
  • This range description doesn’t confirm the wholegrain or seed content of every loaf. Check the information for the individual product in store.

NUR NUR NATUR / ALDI SÜD

The organic wholemeal rye bread is listed as a packaged 375-g option for planning your breakfasts.

  • ALDI SÜD gives the fibre content of this product as 9 g and the salt content as 0,93 g per 100 g.
  • If a seed mix matters to you, check the ingredients on the specific pack.

GOLDÄHREN / ALDI Nord

Bauern-Schnitten are an alternative rye blend bread for anyone looking for slices made with natural sourdough.

  • ALDI Nord describes the product as fresh sliced rye blend bread.
  • If you specifically want wholegrain and seeds, check both on the product itself.

Suitable products at Joybuy

Suitable products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if rye bread is wholemeal?

Look for ‘wholemeal bread’ in the product description and check the ingredients list for wholemeal flour or meal; a dark colour alone isn’t enough. According to Lebensmittelklarheit, at least 90% of the grain used in wholemeal bread should be wholegrain.

Is seeded rye bread gluten-free?

No, rye contains gluten. The Back Bord Bio Bioland Vollkorn-Roggen-Saaten listed by REWE also includes spelt; check the ingredients list for any other bread you buy too.

Which allergens are particularly important to check in seeded bread?

Check the gluten-containing cereals highlighted on the label and, if present, sesame, as well as any precautionary information on the specific pack. Which other allergens are listed depends on the recipe.

Can I rely on finding the same bread selection every time I shop for breakfast?

Not necessarily: EDEKA notes that some products are not available in every store. If you shop regularly at the same store, check its range and the information on the product currently available.

What does the order of the ingredients tell me?

For packaged bread, ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, as Verbraucherzentrale explains. This helps you see which ingredient comes first, but if you want to know the amount of a particular seed, look for its percentage to be stated explicitly.