If your toddler needs to eat gluten-free because they have coeliac disease, choose a croissant explicitly labelled gluten-free and avoid contact with regular bread and crumbs when storing and serving it. Then choose packaging and a preparation method that suit your morning routine: frozen or bake-at-home options require more planning. Treat a croissant as an occasional alternative, rather than assuming it can replace bread’s nutritional role in your toddler’s breakfast.
They’re looking for a croissant explicitly labelled gluten-free and want to prevent it coming into contact with crumbs containing gluten at the breakfast table. The Dutch Coeliac Association points out that cross-contamination can occur, for example, through crumbs in the kitchen.
They want to know whether a pack will fit into their morning routine. The products offered by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS vary in storage method, number of croissants and preparation requirements.
They want to fit the croissant into their child’s overall diet. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread as a source of fibre and iodine, among other nutrients, for young children. So look beyond this one breakfast serving.
If your toddler has coeliac disease, first check that the product is labelled gluten-free and read the current packaging. Then compare the preparation method and packaging, and consider how the croissant fits into breakfast and the rest of the day.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving it gluten-free | Read the gluten-free label and check the current packaging. Use clean utensils and keep the croissant away from crumbs from regular bread. | If my toddler has coeliac disease, I want to avoid contact with gluten during preparation too. For around 50% of consumers, gluten safety comes first. |
| Preparation and packaging | Compare the storage method, number of croissants and preparation instructions with the time and space you have available. | On a busy morning, I want to know how much preparation is needed and whether we’ll use the whole pack. Around 30% of consumers give the greatest priority to convenience and having the right amount in stock. |
| Its place in breakfast | Check the serving size and nutritional information on the specific packaging, including fibre, salt and saturated fat. | When I serve a croissant as an occasional alternative, I also consider what else my toddler eats during the day. For around 20% of consumers, its place in the overall diet matters most. |
A gluten-free croissant can come into contact with crumbs containing gluten during preparation. The Dutch Coeliac Association highlights cross-contamination from crumbs in the kitchen as something to watch out for.
Store and serve the croissant separately from regular bread, and use clean utensils.
The values given by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre for a regular croissant don’t automatically apply to a gluten-free croissant from AH, Schär or Consenza.
Check the nutritional information on the packaging of the product you choose, preferably per 100 g and per serving.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that bread provides young children with fibre and iodine, among other nutrients. If your child eats little bread, or bread without iodised salt, you should also keep an eye on their iodine intake.
Consider your toddler’s overall diet rather than using one croissant as your guide.
Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Croissants in its range.
Jumbo lists Schär Croissant à la Française Glutenvrij as a frozen product, with 4 croissants in a 220 g pack.
PLUS lists Consenza Croissants as a gluten-free product, with 3 croissants in a 180 g pack, and provides oven and microwave instructions.
No. If your toddler has coeliac disease, don’t rely on a ‘wheat-free’ label alone. Look for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.
Keep the gluten-free croissant separate from regular bread and use a clean plate, knife and chopping board. According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, gluten can get onto gluten-free food via crumbs.
A gluten-free croissant doesn’t automatically take over bread’s nutritional role. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread as a source of fibre and iodine, among other nutrients, for young children. So check the croissant’s nutritional information and consider what else your toddler eats.
Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Croissants, Jumbo lists Schär frozen croissants, and PLUS lists Consenza Croissants. Before choosing, compare the current packaging for allergen information, storage method, number of croissants and preparation instructions.
