If you’re making lunch for someone with coeliac disease, choose bread labelled gluten-free and take care to keep crumbs from ordinary bread away from it. Sliced bread that’s ready to eat works well for a lunch you prepare in advance; part-baked rolls need time in the oven. Also check the packaging for other allergens and storage instructions.
You’re looking for bread labelled gluten-free and want to avoid crumbs from ordinary bread getting into the lunch while you prepare it. The Voedingscentrum highlights the importance of avoiding gluten if you have coeliac disease.
You want to know whether the bread is ready to eat or can be frozen in line with the product’s instructions, so you can prepare lunch at a convenient time.
As well as checking that the bread is labelled gluten-free, you’ll want to check its allergen information. If nutritional values matter to your choice, compare the information on a like-for-like basis, such as per 100 g.
Start by checking that the bread is labelled gluten-free and that you can prepare it without crumbs from ordinary bread getting into it. Then compare the type of bread, other allergens and storage advice for the lunch you’re planning.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Most relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing a gluten-free lunch | Check that the bread is labelled gluten-free, and use clean hands and kitchen utensils when preparing it. | If I’m making lunch for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want crumbs from ordinary bread getting into their food. Around 42% of consumers put gluten-free preparation first. |
| Convenience for lunch | Check whether the bread is ready to eat or needs to be baked first, and read the storage instructions. | If I’m making sandwiches in advance to take with me, I want to know how much preparation the type of bread needs. Around 25% of consumers prioritise convenience for lunch. |
| Other allergens and nutritional information | Read the current allergen information; compare nutritional values per 100 g if needed. | If there’s another food allergy as well as coeliac disease, I need to check for other ingredients and warnings too. Around 17% of consumers make this additional check a priority. |
| Planning and storage | Check availability at your chosen shop and follow the freezing or storage instructions on the packaging. | When I’m planning lunches for several days of the school holidays, I want to be able to buy and use the bread within the stated storage period. Around 16% of consumers consider this their main priority. |
The word multigrain doesn’t tell you whether a loaf contains gluten. Ordinary multigrain bread may contain grains that contain gluten.
If you’re choosing bread for someone with coeliac disease, look for the gluten-free label and read the packaging of the product you’re buying.
Gluten-free bread can still contain other allergens. For example, Jumbo lists soya in Schär Meergranenbroodjes Glutenvrij and says it may contain lupin, mustard and sesame.
Compare the allergen information on the current packaging with any other dietary requirements of the person you’re making lunch for.
According to Jumbo, Schär Meergranenbroodjes Glutenvrij need to be baked for a further 5–7 minutes in an oven at 200 °C.
Plan to bake them before you leave, or choose bread whose packaging says it’s ready to eat.
Albert Heijn says that product information can change. An earlier online description may therefore no longer match the packaging you buy.
When you buy it, check the ingredients, allergen information and storage instructions on the packaging again.
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Glutenvrij Brood donker meerzaden half.
Jumbo describes its 210 g Schär Meergranenbroodjes Glutenvrij as part-baked rolls.
PLUS has a gluten-free bread category that also features PLUS Meerzaden glutenvrij.
Dirk has a product page for Schär Meergranenbroodjes glutenvrij.
Lidl lists a multigrain loaf and also provides information about gluten-free products.
ALDI lists products including a regular multigrain baguette in its bread range.
The word multigrain on its own isn’t enough: choose bread labelled gluten-free and read the current label. Ordinary multigrain bread may contain grains that contain gluten. When preparing it, take care to keep crumbs from other bread away.
Prepare the gluten-free lunch separately, using clean hands, a clean knife and a clean chopping board. The Voedingscentrum points out that even a small amount of gluten can matter if you have coeliac disease.
No. Gluten-free doesn’t mean a product is free from soya, milk, nuts or other allergens. Jumbo lists soya and says that Schär Meergranenbroodjes Glutenvrij may contain lupin, mustard and sesame. Always check the current packaging of the bread you buy.
You can if the storage instructions for your chosen bread say so. For AH Glutenvrij Brood donker meerzaden half, Albert Heijn says you can freeze it at home on the day of purchase and should use it within one month. For other bread, follow the instructions on its packaging.
