Who is this choice for?

People with coeliac disease who work from home and miss rye bread

They’re looking for a dark or seeded alternative for lunch. Rye itself is not suitable because it contains gluten, as the Dutch Coeliac Association explains.

People working from home who want a quick lunch

They want to choose between bread that’s ready to eat and a product that needs baking first. Portion sizes, storage instructions and preparation time all make a difference.

Households with a shared kitchen

They need to take care even after buying the bread: according to the Dutch Coeliac Association, crumbs can get onto gluten-free bread via a knife, chopping board or jar of spread.

What should you look for?

If you have coeliac disease, start by checking for a gluten-free label on the packaging. Then compare the type of bread, nutritional information and storage instructions to find what suits your working-from-home lunch.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free status Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. Dark in colour or wheat-free does not automatically mean gluten-free. If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to judge my lunch by its appearance or product name. For around 36% of consumers, choosing a product that is demonstrably gluten-free comes first.
Nutritional information Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and check the portion size per slice or roll. A bread-like alternative also needs to fit with what I usually eat for lunch. Around 29% of consumers give nutritional information the highest priority.
Preparation and storage Check whether the bread is ready to eat, needs defrosting or needs baking. Also read the storage advice for after opening. When I’m between tasks, I want to know how much preparation my lunch needs and what to do with the rest of the pack. This is the main concern for around 21% of consumers.
Availability See which product types your supermarket stocks, and check the packaging of the version you actually buy. I want to be able to find a suitable option at the shop where I do my food shopping. For around 14% of consumers, ease of finding a product is the top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark bread is a gluten-free alternative

    Colour and appearance don’t tell you whether a product is gluten-free. According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, rye contains gluten, so ordinary rye bread is not a suitable substitute if you have coeliac disease.

    Check that the current packaging explicitly says gluten-free, even if the product looks like rye bread.

  • Checking just one ingredient

    Wheat-free is not the same as gluten-free: rye and barley also contain gluten. Conversely, a product made with gluten-free wheat starch may be labelled gluten-free.

    Read the ingredients and check for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol on the finished product.

  • Preparing gluten-free bread among crumbs from ordinary bread

    A gluten-free product can come into contact with gluten at home. The Dutch Coeliac Association gives the example of crumbs being transferred to a jar of spread on a knife that has already been used.

    Use a clean knife and chopping board, keep the bread separate, and don’t share jars of spread containing crumbs.

  • Taking the nutritional value of gluten-free bread for granted

    Gluten-free breads vary in their ingredients. The Dutch Coeliac Association also points out that gluten-free bread is not always made with baker’s salt.

    Compare the nutritional information and ingredients on the current packaging. If you have questions about your overall diet, speak to a dietitian who specialises in coeliac disease.

Supermarket options to consider

These supermarkets show examples of gluten-free bread and rolls online. Choose the right option by checking the current product packaging.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists its own-brand bread and Schär products in its gluten-free range online.

  • You can browse options including dark seeded varieties and rolls.
  • Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change, so check the packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo has an online category for gluten-free bread, with a range of different types.

  • The category includes seeded bread and ciabatta; Consenza Brown Bread is listed as a frozen product.
  • Check the product type and current allergy information for your chosen product.

PLUS

PLUS lists own-brand options in its gluten-free bread range online.

  • Examples include PLUS White Gluten-Free and gluten-free seeded rolls.
  • Product information can change, so check the current packaging before making your final choice.

Dirk

Online search results at Dirk show gluten-free bread products from Schär.

  • The results include Meisterbackers Classic and Vital.
  • Check which varieties are available and read the gluten-free information on the product you choose.

Lidl

Lidl provides information about gluten-free products and an ingredients list for oven-fresh bread.

  • The ingredients list gives you a starting point for checking individual products.
  • Lidl says on its website that additional gluten-free products are not currently available. Check the latest range and label.

ALDI

ALDI mentions gluten-free bread in its information about bread and bake-at-home products.

  • Rolls are also listed as a product type.
  • Before choosing your lunch, check exactly which variety is available locally and what the packaging says.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is rye bread gluten-free?

No. Ordinary rye bread contains rye, a gluten-containing grain according to the Dutch Coeliac Association. If you have coeliac disease, choose a bread-like product that is explicitly labelled gluten-free on the packaging.

When can ‘gluten-free’ appear on packaging?

Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the term ‘gluten-free’ may be used if the food sold to the final consumer contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. This EU rule also applies in the Netherlands.

Is wheat-free bread suitable for people with coeliac disease?

Not on the basis of ‘wheat-free’ alone: rye and barley also contain gluten. Check for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read the ingredients on the current packaging.

How can I keep my working-from-home lunch free from crumbs from ordinary bread?

Prepare gluten-free bread with a clean knife on a clean chopping board, away from ordinary bread. According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, crumbs can also get into a jar of spread via a shared knife.

Why should I check for baker’s salt in gluten-free bread?

The Dutch Coeliac Association points out that gluten-free bread is not always made with baker’s salt. Check the ingredients of the bread you choose. If you have questions about your iodine intake as part of your overall diet, consult a dietitian who specialises in coeliac disease.