A student with coeliac disease and a limited weekly budget
You need bread that’s clearly labelled gluten-free. If several packs meet this requirement, compare their sizes with the amount you’ll actually use in a week.
Who is this choice relevant to?
A student who plans meals in advance
You use bread for several lunches or quick evening meals. The storage instructions and whether you can freeze portions can help you decide which size suits your eating routine.
A student who also compares nutritional information
As well as checking that it’s labelled gluten-free, you look at the fibre per 100 g, whether iodised salt is listed in the ingredients and any other allergens that matter to you. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers don’t always use baker’s salt.
What should you look for when choosing?
If you have coeliac disease, start by checking that the bread is labelled gluten-free. Only then compare the size, nutritional information and availability. This helps you avoid choosing a convenient or large loaf as a substitute for bread whose label you can check.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging, and read the allergen information. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to have to judge whether bread is suitable by its colour or type of grain. Around 36% of consumers prioritise a clear gluten-free label. |
| Portions and waste | Compare the pack weight with how much you use, and follow the storage instructions if you want to freeze portions. | When I live alone, I don’t want an opened loaf to go to waste. For around 29% of consumers, practical portion sizes are their main concern. |
| Nutritional information | Compare the fibre per 100 g and check the ingredients for iodised salt or baker’s salt. | If bread is often part of my meals, I want to know what the different packs contain. Around 21% of consumers therefore look at the nutritional information first. |
| Availability | Check which clearly labelled pack you can get and whether its size suits your meal plan. | With an unpredictable shopping routine, I don’t want to rely on just one type of bread for a quick meal. Being able to find a suitable option is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming spelt or dark multigrain bread is gluten-free
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, spelt is a type of wheat that contains gluten. A dark colour or seeds on the crust don’t tell you whether bread is suitable for someone with coeliac disease either.
Choose bread with an explicit gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol, then read the label.
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Choosing a pack you won’t finish
A larger loaf is only practical if you can use the portions or freeze them according to the storage instructions.
Work out how much bread you use with each meal and check the instructions for storing it after opening.
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Judging iodine and fibre from the name of the bread
‘Gluten-free’, ‘dark’ and ‘multiseed’ don’t tell you how much fibre a loaf contains or what type of salt was used. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt.
Check the nutritional information for fibre per 100 g and the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt.
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Assuming the online range matches what’s in store
A product listing can help you plan, but it doesn’t tell you which packs will be available when you go shopping.
Check what’s currently available at your shop and read the physical packaging again when you buy the product, even if you’ve bought it before.
Brands and shops to consider
These shops offer different ways to search for gluten-free bread. Which pack is right for you depends on the current label and the size you use.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has a dedicated online category for gluten-free bread, including AH loaves and products from brands such as Schär.
- You can compare different types of bread in the category.
- Albert Heijn notes that ingredients and allergen information can change, so check the pack you buy.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists gluten-free bread from its own Lekker Vrij range alongside branded products.
- The white and brown Lekker Vrij loaves give you different own-brand options to compare by size and label.
- Check which products are available at your shop.
PLUS
PLUS lists white, brown and multiseed gluten-free bread under its own brand, as well as branded loaves.
- You can compare different types of bread and their nutritional information.
- Don’t assume the fibre content, whether it contains iodised salt or other allergens from the name of the bread; check the label.
Dirk
Dirk’s search results included gluten-free Schär loaves.
- The product names give you a starting point for searching for a specific pack.
- A search result doesn’t tell you which types of bread are in your shop.
ALDI
ALDI lists gluten-free options among its bread and bake-at-home products.
- Small bake-at-home portions can work well if you don’t eat bread often, as long as the product you choose is clearly labelled gluten-free.
- Check the specific product in store; don’t rely on the shelf label.
Lidl
Lidl describes an additional gluten-free range that isn’t available all the time.
- Information about the additional range can help you plan a shopping trip.
- If you have coeliac disease, don’t use ordinary bake-at-home bread as a substitute if you can’t find a clearly labelled gluten-free pack.
Gluten-free bread mix at Joybuy
If you’d like to bake your own bread, you can consider this gluten-free bread mix. It isn’t ready-made bread for a quick meal: you’ll need to prepare and bake it.
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Schär Bread Mix-Mix B Gluten Free, 1 kg
For anyone who wants to make their own gluten-free bread and has time to bake it. This is a 1 kg bread mix, not a ready-made loaf. As soya is listed, also check the latest allergen information on the packaging and be mindful of possible contact with gluten-containing ingredients during preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Is spelt bread gluten-free?
No, spelt is a type of wheat and contains gluten. If you have coeliac disease, choose bread with an explicit gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol rather than relying on the type of grain or the name of the bread.
Does every Dutch baker use iodised baker’s salt?
No, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. For packaged bread, check the ingredients list; for unpackaged bread, ask which salt was used.
How can I stop opened gluten-free bread from going to waste?
Follow the storage instructions for the bread you buy and, if needed, divide it into portions to freeze. Check the packaging for instructions on how to store and use the product after opening.
Can I choose a bread roll from a bake-at-home section if I have coeliac disease?
Don’t choose a roll unless it has a clear gluten-free label. Ordinary bake-at-home products may contain gluten. For unpackaged products, ask for the allergen information and check whether the product is suitable for your needs.