A student with coeliac disease in a shared kitchen
Wants to choose packaged bread with an explicit gluten-free label and avoid crumbs from housemates getting onto their bread via the toaster, breadboard or knives.
Who is this choice important for?
A student comparing fibre and iodine
Eats gluten-free bread regularly, so checks the fibre per 100 g and looks for iodised salt in the ingredients list. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands.
A student with limited storage space
Wants to know how large the pack is, how to store the bread once opened and whether it can be frozen according to the product information.
What should you look for when buying?
If you’re choosing gluten-free bread before moving, start by checking the label and how to store and prepare it in a shared kitchen. Then compare the nutritional information, pack size and availability to find the right option.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free and free from crumbs | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging and read the ingredients and allergen information. At home, arrange separate storage and use clean preparation equipment. | If I have coeliac disease and live with housemates, I want to store and prepare my bread without it coming into contact with crumbs from ordinary bread. Around 36% of consumers put this check first. |
| Fibre and iodised salt | Compare fibre per 100 g and check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt. A dark colour or a multiseed name doesn’t prove that bread is wholemeal. | If I often eat gluten-free bread for breakfast or lunch, I want to compare the nutritional information for different loaves. This is the main consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Storage and portions | Check the pack size and instructions for storing the bread after opening or freezing it. Keep it separate from products containing gluten in the freezer, too. | With limited space, I don’t want to open more bread than I can use according to the storage instructions. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Availability | Check whether the product you want is available at your shop, and read the label again when you buy it. | If I rely on a particular supermarket, I want to know whether I can get my usual bread there. Around 14% of consumers give availability top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ or ‘multiseed’ means ‘gluten-free’
These words alone say nothing about the gluten content, nor do they prove that a bread is wholemeal.
If you have coeliac disease, first check for the ‘gluten-free’ label, then read the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging.
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Relying on the packaging once the bread has been opened
In a shared kitchen, packaged gluten-free bread can come into contact with crumbs on a breadboard, knife or toaster.
Agree where the bread will be kept and use separate or thoroughly cleaned equipment to prepare it.
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Assuming all bread contains iodised salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. That doesn’t mean every gluten-free bread contains it.
Check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt, especially if you eat bread regularly.
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Assuming a changing range will always include the same bread
A list of gluten-free options doesn’t mean that the same packaged loaf will be available every time you visit a shop. Lidl, for example, describes its additional gluten-free products as a temporary range.
Check the specific product before you shop, and have another shop in mind as a back-up.
Brands and shops to consider
These shop listings can help you find packaged gluten-free bread. Always assess the specific product: ingredients, nutritional information and availability may vary between products.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists its own gluten-free bread alongside other gluten-free bread products.
- AH Gluten-free Dark Multiseed Bread half loaf lists a pack size of 480 g, 9.6 g of fibre per 100 g, iodised salt and instructions to freeze it at home on the day of purchase.
- This information applies to this product, not every loaf in the range. Read the label on the pack you buy.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists both its own-brand gluten-free bread and branded products, including Céréal Gluten Free Lactose Free Wholemeal Bread.
- The bread range includes several varieties to compare by label and nutritional information.
- An online listing doesn’t tell you which variety is available at your local shop.
PLUS
PLUS lists its own gluten-free breads and products from Schär.
- Schär Meisterbäcker Vital at PLUS lists 9.5 g of fibre per 100 g and iodised salt; PLUS Brown Gluten-free lists 6.711 g of fibre per 100 g and iodised salt.
- Check the current ingredients and allergens on each pack; these figures don’t apply to other PLUS or Schär breads.
Dirk
Dirk lists gluten-free bread products from Schär, including Meisterbackers Classic, Vital and Mini Baguette.
- The product names are useful if you’re looking for a specific variety from this brand.
- Before you decide, check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the specific variety you’ve chosen.
Lidl
Lidl describes additional gluten-free products as a temporary range.
- The range information can prompt you to look for a specific gluten-free product.
- Don’t count on a particular loaf being available regularly without checking the current availability and packaging.
ALDI
ALDI mentions gluten-free bread options in its bakery information.
- It’s a possible shop to try if you can check a specific packaged product.
- Don’t rely on the general description: check the gluten-free label, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the product in front of you.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose dark or multiseed bread as a gluten-free alternative to wholemeal bread?
Not based on those names alone: ‘dark’ and ‘multiseed’ don’t mean that bread is gluten-free or wholemeal. If you have coeliac disease, look for the ‘gluten-free’ label on the packaging and also check the ingredients and allergens. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this claim is linked to a maximum of 20 mg of gluten per kg of finished product.
How can I keep gluten-free bread free from crumbs from my housemates?
Store the bread separately and use your own breadboard, knife and toaster, or make sure they’re thoroughly cleaned before use. Agree clear arrangements with your housemates so crumbs from ordinary bread don’t get into the packaging or onto your toppings.
Why should I check for iodised salt in gluten-free bread?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, but not all gluten-free bread lists this ingredient. So check the ingredients list if bread is a regular part of your diet.
Do I need gluten-free bread if I don’t have to avoid gluten?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, there’s no need to eat gluten-free if you don’t have coeliac disease, a wheat allergy or gluten sensitivity. Instead, compare breads using the ingredients and nutritional information relevant to your purchase, rather than treating ‘gluten-free’ as a judgement of nutritional value.