If your child has coeliac disease, choose bread that is explicitly labelled gluten-free rather than ordinary tiger bread. According to Albert Heijn, AH Extra lang lekker tijger bruin contains wholemeal wheat and wheat gluten. When preparing and packing the lunch, avoid contact with crumbs from ordinary bread, and check for other allergens and the nursery’s policies too. Then you can choose a type of bread your child enjoys.
They look for bread explicitly labelled gluten-free and want to prevent crumbs from ordinary bread getting into the lunch while it is being prepared or packed. According to the Voedingscentrum, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
As well as checking that the bread is labelled gluten-free, they need to check its ingredients and allergen information. Soy, milk, egg, nuts, sesame, mustard and lupin vary from product to product.
They look for a type of bread their child enjoys and that fits the nursery’s lunch arrangements, such as sliced bread or a small baguette. The storage instructions on the packaging are also relevant.
When choosing a gluten-free alternative to tiger bread for a nursery lunch, check that it is labelled gluten-free and take steps to prevent contact with crumbs before you consider the type of bread. Always check for any other allergens that are relevant to your child, too.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it is most relevant for |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten and contact with crumbs | Look for an explicit gluten-free label on the packaging. Plan how you will prepare and pack the bread without it coming into contact with ordinary bread. | My child has coeliac disease, so I want to be sure which bread I’m packing and prevent ordinary bread crumbs from getting into the lunch. For an estimated 50% of people putting this lunch together, avoiding contact with gluten is the top priority. |
| Type of bread and how it will be used | Check whether sliced bread or a small baguette suits what your child eats; also read the storage and any freezing instructions. | My child prefers a soft slice of bread or a smaller roll, so the lunch should suit their preference. For an estimated 30% of these consumers, the type of bread is the main consideration when choosing between gluten-free options. |
| Other allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ statements, for the exact bread you are choosing. | My child also needs to avoid allergens other than gluten; a gluten-free label alone doesn’t answer that question. For an estimated 20% of these consumers, other allergens are the main deciding factor. |
The name and crust say nothing about whether the bread is suitable for a gluten-free diet. According to Albert Heijn, AH Extra lang lekker tijger bruin contains wholemeal wheat and wheat gluten.
If your child has coeliac disease, choose bread explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the current packaging.
Gluten-free bread may contain other allergens or carry a statement that it may contain them. The information varies between the breads mentioned.
Compare the full allergen information with the foods your child needs to avoid, and coordinate the lunch with the nursery.
According to the Voedingscentrum, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease. Buying gluten-free bread is therefore not the only step.
Use clean utensils and a clean work surface, keep ordinary bread away, and pack the lunch separately in clearly labelled packaging.
The types of bread mentioned offer different options for a nursery lunch. Check the allergen information and instructions for use on each product’s packaging.
Albert Heijn offers products including AH Glutenvrij Brood donker meerzaden half, a sliced bread suitable for lunch.
Schär offers a range of gluten-free breads, including Meesterbakker Classic and Mehrkorn, ciabatta and mini baguettes.
PLUS lists gluten-free white, brown and seeded bread, as well as gluten-free small baguettes.
Jumbo’s range includes gluten-free bread from Schär, such as sliced bread and smaller types of bread.
Don’t assume it is. According to Albert Heijn, AH Extra lang lekker tijger bruin contains wholemeal wheat flour, wheat flour and wheat gluten. If your child has coeliac disease, choose bread that is explicitly labelled gluten-free on the packaging.
Prepare the lunch using clean utensils and a clean work surface, away from ordinary bread, and pack it separately in clearly labelled packaging. According to the Voedingscentrum, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease. Check with the nursery, too, how they store and hand out packed lunches.
Yes, if your child also needs to avoid other allergens. The information varies from one bread to another: the varieties mentioned may contain soy, for example, or carry statements about egg, milk, nuts, sesame, mustard or lupin. Always check the current ingredients and allergen information for the product you choose.
