Student with coeliac disease
You want to enjoy bread with a simple meal, while keeping an eye on both the label and how it’s prepared in a shared kitchen.
Who is this relevant to?
Student who eats bread in portions
You don’t eat bread every day and want to choose a pack that lets you store and use individual portions without unnecessary waste.
Student comparing nutritional information
You’re replacing ordinary bread with a gluten-free option and want to check the fibre per 100 g and whether the product contains iodised salt.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking for a gluten-free label on the pack, then choose a type of bread that suits your storage space and how much time you have to prepare it.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free suitability | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the pack. If you have additional allergies, check the allergen information too. | If I have coeliac disease, I need to be sure the bread is gluten-free and prepare it without contact with gluten-containing crumbs. For around 36% of consumers, this safety consideration is the top priority. |
| Portions and waste | Check the pack size, the number of portions you can use and the storage or freezing instructions. | If I only eat bread with a meal occasionally, I don’t want to throw away the rest of the pack. Around 29% of consumers prioritise reducing waste. |
| Nutritional information | Compare the fibre per 100 g and check whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients. | When I replace ordinary bread, I want to know how much fibre the gluten-free option contains and what type of salt has been used. Around 21% of consumers consider this information their top priority. |
| Preparation and storage | Check whether the bread is ready to eat or needs to go in the oven, and what the instructions say about refreezing after thawing. | If I have little time or freezer space, I want a type of bread that’s practical to use at home. For around 14% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain bread is gluten-free
‘Multigrain’ doesn’t tell you whether a loaf is suitable for someone with coeliac disease; it may contain grains that contain gluten.
Check for a ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain symbol on the pack, and keep the bread at home away from crumbs containing gluten.
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Assuming the salt is iodised
The type of bread doesn’t tell you which salt has been used in a particular gluten-free product.
If it matters to you, look for iodised salt or baker’s salt in the ingredients list.
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Choosing a pack without planning your portions
Sliced bread, frozen rolls and bread mixes each need a different approach to storage or preparation. If a pack doesn’t suit how you use it, some may go to waste.
Read the storage instructions and work out in advance how many portions you’ll need within the stated storage period.
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Confusing gluten-free with free from other allergens
A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you whether a product contains soya, milk, eggs or nuts, for example. Allergen information varies by product.
If you have additional allergies, always check the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
Brands to consider
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn lists a 480 g gluten-free dark multiseed loaf that’s ready to eat or can be frozen.
- For this option, Albert Heijn lists 9.6 g of fibre per 100 g and iodised salt in the ingredients.
- Check the pack again when you buy it: ingredients and allergen information may change, and the bread may contain other allergens.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten
Jumbo lists a sliced gluten-free multiseed loaf made with starches, kernels and seeds.
- For this loaf, Jumbo lists iodised salt and 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The loaf contains soya and, according to Jumbo, may contain almonds, eggs and milk.
Schär
The Schär multigrain rolls reviewed are gluten-free frozen rolls that you can bake as needed.
- Jumbo lists 8.0 g of fibre per 100 g for these rolls.
- You’ll need freezer space and an oven. The rolls contain soya and must not be refrozen after thawing.
Consenza
The Consenza option reviewed is a gluten-free multigrain bread mix for anyone who wants to bake their own bread.
- The product information on Jumbo’s website lists ingredients including buckwheat, linseed and iodised salt.
- Baking your own bread takes time and equipment, and you’ll need a work surface where ingredients containing gluten and crumbs can be kept separate.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is ordinary multigrain bread suitable for someone with coeliac disease?
No, not unless it’s labelled gluten-free: multigrain bread may contain wheat, rye or barley. Choose a pack labelled ‘gluten-free’ or bearing the Crossed Grain symbol, and avoid contact with gluten-containing crumbs when preparing it.
How can I check whether gluten-free bread contains iodised salt?
Read the ingredients list and look for ‘iodised salt’ or ‘baker’s salt’. Don’t rely on the type of bread alone: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum), bakers don’t always use baker’s salt.
How can I keep gluten-free bread separate in a shared kitchen?
Store it separately from bread containing gluten, and use a clean knife, clean toppings and a clean chopping board. Watch out for crumbs in a shared toaster too; use a separate toaster or a suitable toaster bag for gluten-free bread.
Can I freeze gluten-free multiseed bread?
It depends on the product. Albert Heijn says to freeze the sliced bread reviewed on the day you buy it. For the Schär frozen rolls reviewed, you must not refreeze them after thawing. Always follow the storage instructions on the pack you buy.