If you have coeliac disease, first look for bread labelled gluten-free or carrying the Crossed Grain trademark; wholemeal, dark or multiseed tells you nothing about its gluten content on its own. If you want thick slices for generously filled snacks, check the slice size of gluten-free bread before you buy. A gluten-free bake-at-home roll could work if a roll suits your snack, but it is not a thick-cut slice.
You want to choose bread for lunch that is clearly labelled gluten-free. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, coeliac disease requires a lifelong gluten-free diet; contact with crumbs containing gluten matters too.
You want slices that can hold a generous topping or be used for toast. Check the actual slice size and decide whether a slice is sturdy enough for the way you plan to use it; a product photo is no guarantee.
As well as checking that the bread is labelled gluten-free, you want to look at its fibre, salt and ingredients. Don’t assume gluten-free bread has the same nutritional make-up as regular wholemeal bread.
If you have coeliac disease, a gluten-free label is essential, even if slice thickness, nutritional value or availability is your main point of comparison.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Check the current packaging for a ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain trademark, and read the ingredients and allergen information. | If I’m shopping for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to have to rely on the colour or name of a loaf. An estimated 36% of consumers prioritise clear confirmation that a product is suitable for a gluten-free diet. |
| Slice shape and size for snacks | Check the thickness and number of slices, or ask about the slice size. A bake-at-home roll is not a thick slice. | For generous toppings, I’m looking for a size that suits my snack, not just bread that looks sturdy. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Nutritional value | Compare fibre, salt and ingredients per 100 g; also consider the portion size for the way you plan to use it. | When I replace regular bread, I want to know how the alternative differs in composition. An estimated 21% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Availability and size | Check current stock at your store or in your delivery area, and look at the pack weight. | If I’m planning several lunches, I want to be able to get a loaf in the right size. This is the most important factor for around 14% of consumers. |
Regular wholemeal bread can contain grains that contain gluten. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, people with coeliac disease need to follow a gluten-free diet; you should also avoid contact with crumbs containing gluten.
First check the gluten-free label on the packaging. Only then compare the colour, seeds and nutritional values.
A photo or the name ‘multiseed bread’ won’t tell you how thick the slices are. A bake-at-home roll is not automatically a substitute for a thick-cut slice either.
Look at the bread or ask about the slice size. Choose a roll only if that shape suits the snack you have planned.
If the size isn’t right, you may still need to buy different bread for that snack.
Ingredients and nutritional values vary from product to product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also notes that regular bread in the Netherlands is an important source of iodine, thanks to the use of iodised baker’s salt. Don’t assume every gluten-free loaf provides the same amount.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check the ingredients. If you have questions about the composition of a gluten-free diet, speak to a dietitian who specialises in the area.
A loaf listed on a range page may not be available at your store or in your delivery area. A specific product may also be removed from a range.
Check availability just before you shop, especially if you need a particular loaf.
Albert Heijn lists dark and light multiseed loaves weighing 480 g in its AH Glutenvrij range.
Jumbo lists brown and white 500 g loaves in this gluten-free bread range.
Albert Heijn lists several gluten-free Schär breads and bake-at-home options, including Baguettini.
The Céréal Wholemeal Bread mentioned here is a gluten- and lactose-free loaf made with rice and wholemeal buckwheat flour.
AH Glutenvrij dark multiseed bread, 480 g — check the packaging for gluten-free labelling, ingredients and slice size.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij brown bread, 500 g — check the current packaging and availability at your store or in your delivery area.
Schär Baguettini — a gluten-free bake-at-home roll option if a roll suits your snack better than sliced bread.
Not if it contains grains with gluten, such as wheat, spelt, rye or barley. ‘Wholemeal’ does not mean ‘gluten-free’, so choose bread labelled ‘gluten-free’ or carrying the Crossed Grain trademark on the packaging.
No. Assess the finished product, not just one ingredient. For bread containing buckwheat, check the gluten-free label and the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
Start by checking the gluten-free label, then assess the thickness and size of the slices. Look at the bread or ask about the slice size; choose a bake-at-home roll only if a roll works for your snack too.
It may be relevant: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread provides around 45% of iodine intake in the Netherlands, partly because of iodised baker’s salt. Don’t assume every gluten-free loaf provides the same amount; discuss any questions about your diet with a dietitian who specialises in the area.
No. Check current availability at your store or in your delivery area. Albert Heijn lists the Céréal Wholemeal Bread mentioned here as discontinued, while Jumbo lists it as no longer available online.
