Gluten-free bread for coeliac disease: wholemeal or fibre?

Who is this choice relevant to?

Looking for gluten-free wholemeal ingredients

You have coeliac disease and want to know which wholemeal ingredients the bread contains, as well as seeing that it is labelled gluten-free. Check both points on the current packaging.

Gluten-free households keeping an eye on fibre

You compare gluten-free breads by their fibre content per 100 g. A seeded loaf may be worth considering, but the name alone doesn’t confirm that it’s wholemeal.

Households with both gluten-containing and gluten-free bread

Once you’ve bought it, you’ll also need a way to store gluten-free bread separately and prepare it without crumbs from other bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre and the Dutch Coeliac Society highlight the importance of keeping it separate.

What should you look for when choosing?

For bread suitable for coeliac disease, an explicit gluten-free label is essential. Only then compare the wholemeal ingredients, fibre content and practicality of products that meet this requirement.

What to look for	What should you check?	Who is this most important for?
Gluten-free label	Look for an explicit gluten-free label on the current packaging; don’t rely on words such as ‘wholemeal’ or ‘spelt’ alone.	When I buy bread for someone with coeliac disease, I want to make sure it’s gluten-free before considering anything else. Around 36% of consumers would say this is their main purchasing priority.
Fibre and wholemeal ingredients	Compare fibre on the same basis, per 100 g, and check which wholemeal ingredients are actually listed.	I want to be able to choose between identifiable wholemeal ingredients and a higher fibre content, without assuming that seeded means wholemeal. For around 29% of consumers, this would be the most important consideration after checking that the bread is gluten-free.
Availability and storage	Check the current range and read the use-by date and storage instructions for the product you choose.	If I don’t buy bread often, the packaging needs to suit how I store and use it at home. That would be the deciding practical consideration for around 21% of consumers.
Iodised salt	Check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt; don’t assume every loaf has the same ingredients.	If I don’t eat much bread, I want to know whether the loaf I’ve chosen contains iodised salt. An estimated 14% of consumers would see this as their main additional consideration.

Common mistakes

Assuming ordinary wholemeal or spelt bread is gluten-free

‘Wholemeal’ describes the parts of the grain used, not the absence of gluten. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wheat, rye, barley and spelt are among the grains that contain gluten.

First check the gluten-free label on the packaging. Only then assess the wholemeal ingredients and fibre content.
Using the bread at home alongside ordinary bread and its crumbs

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that even a stray bread crumb can matter if you have coeliac disease. So even after taking care when buying it, it’s still important to store and prepare gluten-free bread separately.

Keep gluten-free bread well wrapped and separate, and use clean or separate chopping boards, knives and equipment.
Assuming every loaf contains iodised salt

Whether a product contains iodised salt varies. The type of bread or the shop it comes from is no substitute for checking the ingredients list.

Check the current packaging for iodised salt or baker’s salt. If you have questions about your own diet, speak to a specialist dietitian.
Relying on an old product page

PLUS says that product ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change. Bread that was once listed online may also no longer be available.

Check the current packaging every time you buy, especially the gluten-free label, ingredients and allergens.

Brands and shops to help you compare

These names can help you find products to compare. Always check the gluten-free label and ingredients for each bread and its current packaging.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists bread products in its own AH Gluten-Free range.

The range includes dark seeded bread.
A gluten-free wholemeal pita product that was listed previously isn’t confirmation that it’s still available.

PLUS

PLUS lists its own gluten-free seeded bread and gluten-free bread products from Schär.

Individual product pages may list ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
PLUS warns that this product information can change, so check the packaging again.

Schär

Schär is a gluten-free brand with various bread products listed by shops including PLUS and Dirk.

PLUS lists 9,5 g of fibre per 100 g for Schär Meisterbäcker Vital.
That figure applies to this product, not every Schär bread. Check the allergens for the variant you choose too.

Dirk

Dirk lists gluten-free bread products from Schär in its online range.

Product names can help you find individual gluten-free varieties.
Check the ingredients and nutritional information for each variety before deciding whether it contains wholemeal ingredients or how much fibre it has.

ALDI

ALDI lists gluten-free bread rolls in its bakery range.

The category gives you a starting point when looking for gluten-free rolls.
Check the packaging of the exact product for wholemeal ingredients, fibre and allergens.

Lidl

Lidl has a page for its gluten-free range.

The page shows you which product category to look for.
Check which products are available when you shop and read the packaging for each one.

Gluten-free bread mix on Joybuy

This is a mix for making your own gluten-free bread, not a ready-made wholemeal loaf. Check the ingredients and nutritional information separately for the bread you plan to bake.

Schär Bread Mix-Mix B Gluten Free, 1 kg

If you want to bake your own gluten-free bread, this is a bread mix, not a ready-made loaf.

Check the current packaging for allergens, including soya, and for information about possible cross-contamination. Don’t compare the nutritional values of the mix directly with those of prepared bread. The name also doesn’t confirm that the finished bread will be wholemeal.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I simply choose wholemeal bread if I have coeliac disease?

No. Ordinary wholemeal bread made from gluten-containing grains such as wheat, rye or spelt isn’t gluten-free. For bread suitable for coeliac disease, look for an explicit gluten-free label on the current packaging. Only then check whether it contains wholemeal ingredients.

How do I keep shop-bought gluten-free bread separate from ordinary bread?

Keep it well wrapped and separate, and use clean or separate hands, worktops, knives and other equipment when preparing it. This is especially important if other people in your household also eat gluten-containing bread.

Is dark or seeded bread automatically wholemeal?

No. The colour and the word ‘seeded’ don’t tell you which ingredients are wholemeal. Check the ingredients list and compare fibre on the same basis, for example per 100 g. If you have coeliac disease, always check the gluten-free label too.

Does gluten-free bread always contain iodine from baker’s salt?

No. Don’t assume that every gluten-free bread is made with iodised salt or baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for the product you choose. If you have questions about your overall iodine intake, speak to a specialist dietitian.