If you have coeliac disease, choose white bread clearly labelled gluten-free or bearing the Crossed Grain symbol, and avoid contact with crumbs from ordinary bread when preparing and packing your lunch. Then compare fibre, salt and other allergens per 100 g. Pre-packed slices are ready to use, while frozen rolls need time to defrost.
You want to choose bread clearly labelled gluten-free and prevent it coming into contact with crumbs from ordinary bread when you prepare or pack it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre and the Dutch Coeliac Society highlight the importance of a gluten-free diet and avoiding cross-contamination.
You want to compare the fibre content per 100 g rather than assume that all gluten-free white bread has the same nutritional value. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, nutritional values can vary between brands.
You want to have bread available without defrosting or opening more than you need. Albert Heijn’s product information says you can freeze the bread on the day of purchase. With the Odenwald Bakery frozen rolls reviewed, you’ll need to allow time for defrosting and check how long they keep once defrosted.
Start by checking that it’s labelled gluten-free and can be prepared safely. Then compare the nutritional information and choose a pack format that suits your lunch routine.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free option | Look for the gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol. Check the current label and use clean kitchen utensils. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to avoid contact with crumbs when preparing and packing my lunch too; around 36% of consumers put this reassurance first. |
| Nutritional information | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g and check for other allergens. If you’re wondering about iodine, check whether iodised salt is listed in the ingredients. | I want to know how much fibre my bread contains without overlooking the other ingredients. Around 29% of consumers put this nutritional information first. |
| Storage and portions | Check the freezing instructions, defrosting time and how long the product keeps after defrosting. | If I only have bread for lunch now and then, I want to be able to store suitable portions; around 21% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Availability | Check the latest product information and make sure your chosen option is available before buying. | I want to be able to buy my usual lunch bread again without unknowingly switching to a different option. This is a priority for around 14% of consumers. |
The gluten-free label doesn’t tell you how much fibre or salt the bread contains. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that the nutritional value of gluten-free bread can vary between brands.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the breads you’re considering, and think about the rest of your lunch too.
The Dutch Coeliac Society says cross-contamination remains a concern when gluten-free bread is prepared alongside ordinary bread.
Use clean or separate knives, chopping boards and other utensils. Take care with shared spreads and toasters too.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that bread without iodised salt can affect your iodine intake, especially if you eat little other bread.
Check the ingredients to see which salt has been used, and consider this as part of your overall diet.
Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Wit brood half, a 480 g loaf, in this range.
Jumbo lists a 500 g gluten-free white loaf in its Lekker Vrij range.
The option reviewed consists of two gluten-free oval white frozen rolls with seeds, each weighing 90 g.
If you have coeliac disease, don’t rely solely on the fact that wheat isn’t listed in the ingredients. Choose bread labelled gluten-free or bearing the Crossed Grain symbol, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, and then avoid contact with crumbs from ordinary bread.
Keep the bread wrapped until you prepare or eat it, and use clean utensils. The Dutch Coeliac Society warns against contact with crumbs, so take care with knives, chopping boards, toasters and shared spreads too.
No, the gluten-free label doesn’t tell you how much fibre the bread contains. Compare the fibre per 100 g on the packaging: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the nutritional values of gluten-free bread can vary between brands.
Frozen bread can work well if you want to plan small portions in advance and have time to defrost them. For the Odenwald Bakery rolls reviewed, Jumbo lists a defrosting time of around 3 hours and a shelf life of up to 2 days after defrosting. Check the instructions for the product you choose.
Check the label to see which salt has been used, especially if you eat little other bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that bread without iodised salt can affect your iodine intake; consider this alongside the rest of your diet.
