Don’t pack regular tiger bread as an after-school snack for a child with coeliac disease: the white and wholemeal tiger breads from Jumbo that we checked contain gluten-containing cereals. Choose a product labelled ‘gluten-free’ on its current packaging, then prevent it from coming into contact with crumbs from ordinary bread. Gluten-free sliced bread or a bread roll is the closest match to a sandwich; another type of snack may be more practical if the bread format matters less.
For parents and carers of a child with coeliac disease, choosing a snack starts with checking the label. How you prepare it matters too: according to the Dutch Coeliac Association, crumbs from ordinary bread can contaminate a gluten-free snack.
If you want to pack a familiar after-school snack, you can choose between gluten-free sliced bread and smaller rolls. Albert Heijn and PLUS both show these options in their online ranges; check the product you’ve chosen and its packaging when you buy it.
If you replace ordinary bread more often, you can compare the nutritional information of gluten-free options, including fibre per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies bread made with iodised baker’s salt as an important source of iodine in the Netherlands; ‘gluten-free’ on its own says nothing about its contribution.
When choosing a snack for a child with coeliac disease, checking that it’s ‘gluten-free’ comes before deciding between a sandwich, a roll or another type of snack. Then consider what you can prepare safely at home and what your child can take with them easily.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten and cross-contamination | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging, read the ingredients and allergen information, and use clean utensils when packing. | When I’m packing for a child with coeliac disease, I want to prevent ordinary bread or crumbs from coming into contact with the snack. For around 50% of consumers, gluten safety would be the top priority. |
| Snack size and preparation | Check whether the product is sliced and ready to eat or needs baking at home; also check how many pieces are included. | After school, I want to pack something that suits my child’s appetite without any awkward preparation. A suitable snack size would come first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information when replacing bread | Compare fibre per 100 g across suitable options, and if you’re choosing bread, check the ingredients list to see whether baker’s salt has been used. | When ordinary bread is replaced more often with a gluten-free alternative, I also want to be able to compare the nutritional information. For around 20% of consumers, this would be the most important consideration. |
The Jumbo wholemeal tiger bread we checked contains wheat and barley. So the wholemeal label doesn’t make a loaf suitable for a child with coeliac disease.
First, check for the ‘gluten-free’ label, then read the ingredients and allergen information. Only compare fibre content between products that are suitable snack options.
A knife, worktop or toaster with crumbs from ordinary bread can transfer gluten. The Dutch Coeliac Association therefore stresses the importance of preventing cross-contamination.
Wash your hands, use clean or separate utensils, and pack the snack on a clean worktop.
A roll shown online doesn’t tell you which product will be in store when you do your shopping. Ingredients and packaging information can also change.
Check the current product before buying it, and read the physical packaging before preparing the snack.
‘Gluten-free’ refers to gluten, not the amount of fibre or whether baker’s salt has been used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands.
Compare the nutritional information of suitable products on the same basis, such as fibre per 100 g. For bread, check the label for baker’s salt, and speak to a dietitian or healthcare professional if you have questions about your child’s overall diet.
These shops show a range of bread formats and snack options. Their ranges don’t confirm that gluten-free tiger bread is available; the packaging of the product you choose is what matters.
Albert Heijn’s gluten-free bakery range includes options such as sliced bread and rolls.
The Jumbo tiger breads we checked show why a product name alone doesn’t confirm that it’s gluten-free.
PLUS shows gluten-free sliced bread and smaller bread formats to compare.
A search for gluten-free bread on Dirk’s site shows products including Schär bread and mini baguettes.
ALDI lists gluten-free rolls alongside other bake-at-home rolls and snacks.
Lidl is another shop to check for a specific gluten-free alternative.
These Joybuy products offer three different after-school snack options: a mini baguette, savoury lentil wafers and granola. Only the mini baguette is bread-like. For a child with coeliac disease, check the current ‘gluten-free’ label, allergen information and preparation instructions for every product you choose. Also check the food policy at your child’s school or childcare setting.
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A bread-like option if a small roll is a better fit than sliced bread. Check the packaging for ‘gluten-free’ labelling and read the preparation instructions before choosing it as an after-school snack.
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A savoury snack option when you don’t need a bread roll; the pack contains 54 g. The product information describes the wafers as gluten-free. Check this claim and the allergen information on the current packaging before packing them.
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Granola is a different kind of snack, not a substitute for the texture of tiger bread. The pack contains 330 g; choose a suitable portion to take with you. Check the ‘gluten-free’ label, allergen information including peanuts, and the food policy at your child’s school or childcare setting.
Don’t assume it is: the white and wholemeal tiger breads from Jumbo that we checked contain gluten-containing cereals. They aren’t suitable snacks for a child with coeliac disease; look for an alternative labelled ‘gluten-free’ on its current packaging.
For a child with coeliac disease, check for the ‘gluten-free’ label and also read the ingredients and allergen information. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that legal requirements apply to the use of this label. The product name, a wholemeal version or the colour of a roll doesn’t replace these checks.
Prepare and pack gluten-free bread with clean hands and clean or separate utensils, on a clean worktop. Make sure crumbs from ordinary bread don’t get into the packaging or lunchbox; the Dutch Coeliac Association highlights the risk of cross-contamination for people with coeliac disease.
Compare the nutritional information of suitable products, such as fibre per 100 g, and check whether baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients for bread. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. Discuss any questions about your child’s diet with a dietitian or healthcare professional.
