Hosting someone with coeliac disease
You’re looking for a gluten-free alternative to rye bread and want to prevent ordinary bread crumbs or shared kitchen utensils from coming into contact with it.
Who is this choice important for?
Enjoy a savoury sandwich
You don’t want to serve rye, but you’re looking for a dark or firm gluten-free bread alternative to go with savoury toppings.
Planning an Easter brunch
You want gluten-free bread in a form that’s easy to serve separately, such as rolls or flatbreads, without relying on a seasonal range being available.
What should you look for?
Start by checking the ‘gluten-free’ label on the packaging. Then choose a type of bread that suits your Easter menu. If you’ll be eating a different kind of bread more often, you can also compare the nutritional information and ingredients.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Choose gluten-free and serve separately | Check for a ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging. Use clean, separate utensils when serving. | When I’m hosting someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to serve rye or let ordinary bread crumbs come into contact with their food. Around 50% of consumers put this concern first. |
| Type of bread for Easter lunch | Choose between sliced bread for toppings and rolls or flatbreads to serve separately. Check the pack size and preparation instructions on the packaging. | For a lunch with small filled rolls, I’m looking for a different shape from the kind I’d serve on a board of savoury sandwiches. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this way of serving. |
| Fibre and iodine when switching bread | Compare the fibre content shown in the nutritional information, and check the ingredients list to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt has been used. | If I switch bread types more often, I want to know how their nutritional values and ingredients differ. Around 20% of consumers prioritise these checks. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark bread is gluten-free rye bread
Rye contains gluten, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. A dark colour doesn’t tell you whether another bread is gluten-free or how much fibre it contains.
When looking for an alternative to rye bread, check the packaging of your chosen product for a ‘gluten-free’ label and read the ingredients list.
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Only replacing the bread
Ordinary bread crumbs can get onto gluten-free food via a knife, breadboard, toaster or shared toppings.
Keep gluten-free bread separate from the moment you open it, and use clean, separate utensils to prepare and serve it.
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Assuming all bread contains baker’s salt
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt. So, the ingredients list for a particular loaf is what you need to check.
Check the ingredients list to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt has been used, especially if you switch bread types more often.
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Relying on a seasonal range you’ve seen before
A seasonal product or temporary gluten-free range may not be available when you’re preparing Easter lunch. Product information can also change.
Check the current product details and read the packaging before serving, even if you’ve bought the same item before.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists gluten-free breads in different styles, including dark multiseed bread, as well as an Easter brunch product.
- The range of bread styles gives you options for both savoury sandwiches and an Easter lunch with rolls.
- Check the current packaging: ingredients, nutritional information and allergen details can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists gluten-free bread in several styles, including multiseed bread, ciabatta and flatbreads.
- You can compare a sliced loaf with smaller or shareable options for lunch.
- Check your chosen product and current availability before planning your lunch around it.
Lidl
Lidl promotes gluten-free products, including a temporary extended range.
- It could be a shop to visit when looking for an alternative.
- Don’t rely on the temporary range for a particular type of bread; check the current selection and packaging.
Joybuy products for Easter lunch
These mini baguettes are a good fit for an Easter lunch with small rolls. Before buying and serving, check the current packaging to make sure the product is explicitly labelled gluten-free, and check the pack contents and preparation instructions.
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Gv Baguette Mini 7 Pieces
An option to consider for small rolls at Easter lunch, provided the current packaging clearly states ‘gluten-free’.
Check whether the pack contains a mix or ready-made rolls, and what preparation is needed. If serving to someone with coeliac disease, keep the product separate from ordinary bread and use clean utensils.
Frequently asked questions
Can real rye bread be gluten-free?
No. Rye is a gluten-containing grain, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. If you’re serving someone with coeliac disease, choose an alternative without rye and check that the current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’.
Is dark bread automatically a suitable alternative?
No. The colour doesn’t tell you whether bread is gluten-free, and on its own it doesn’t give you any conclusive information about the grains used or the fibre content. Check the gluten-free label, ingredients and nutritional information for each product.
How can I keep gluten-free bread separate during Easter lunch?
Serve it on a clean, separate plate and use a clean knife and breadboard. Also avoid contact with ordinary bread crumbs, a shared toaster and toppings that have been handled with a bread knife.
What should I look for if I eat gluten-free bread more often?
Compare the nutritional information and ingredients of the breads you choose. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt, so check the ingredients list if you want to know whether a particular loaf contains baker’s salt or iodised salt.