If you have coeliac disease, first choose bread explicitly labelled ‘gluten-free’ and check the current packaging. At home, keep it away from crumbs from regular bread. Sliced bread is practical for a quick savoury breakfast, while gluten-free bake-at-home rolls or mini baguettes are a good choice if you’d prefer a warm roll and have time to prepare them.
You’re looking for bread labelled gluten-free and need to prevent it coming into contact with crumbs containing gluten while you prepare it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that even a stray breadcrumb can matter if you have coeliac disease.
You want to be able to top slices quickly, for example with cheese, egg or hummus. A loaf of white bread matters more to you than rolls that need to be baked first.
You’d rather choose a gluten-free bake-at-home roll or mini baguette for your savoury breakfast, and are happy to allow extra time to prepare it.
If you have coeliac disease, first check that the bread is labelled gluten-free and read the packaging. Then choose a bread shape that suits your breakfast, and check whether you’ll be able to buy it again next time.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling and cross-contamination | Read the ‘gluten-free’ label and allergen information on the packaging. Keep the bread separate from regular bread when preparing it. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to be sure about which bread I choose and prevent regular bread crumbs getting near it at home; around 50% of consumers put this check first. |
| Shape for savoury toppings | Check whether you’re buying sliced bread or rolls, and whether they need baking. Also check the storage instructions. | I’d choose differently for a quick sandwich than for a warm roll when I have time to prepare it; for around 30% of consumers, the shape of the bread is the deciding factor. |
| Being able to buy it again | Check what’s available at your shop or in your delivery area, and see whether the packaging says you can store or freeze it. | If I want to eat this bread for breakfast regularly, I want to be able to find a suitable option again; availability is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
The colour of the bread or a ‘wheat-free’ label is no substitute for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label if you have coeliac disease.
Check for that label, and read the ingredients and allergen information again if the packaging changes.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that even a stray breadcrumb can matter if you have coeliac disease. So, even when you’ve bought suitable bread, take care when preparing it.
Keep gluten-free bread separate from regular bread, and take care with the toaster, knives, chopping boards and shared containers of spreads.
Bread listed online by a supermarket won’t necessarily be in your local shop at all times. Lidl also describes some additional gluten-free products as temporary offers.
Check what’s currently available at your shop or in your delivery area before relying on a particular type of bread.
The label doesn’t tell you how much fibre the bread contains or whether it has iodised salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights iodine as something to consider when you cut bread from your diet.
Compare the nutritional information, including fibre per 100 g, and read the ingredients list if iodised salt matters to your choice.
Albert Heijn lists Schär Meesterbakker Classic as gluten-free white bread.
Jumbo lists gluten-free white bread alongside other types of bread, including Schär Mini Baguette.
PLUS lists PLUS Wit glutenvrij, white gluten-free rolls and Schär bread.
Dirk’s search results include products such as Schär Meesterbakker Classic and Schär Mini Baguette.
ALDI includes gluten-free bread in its bakery range.
Lidl provides information about its gluten-free range, including some additional products that are only available for a limited time.
Look for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label and read the current ingredients and allergen information. Check the packaging again if you switch products or the packaging changes.
If you have coeliac disease, don’t assume a toaster with crumbs from regular bread is suitable for gluten-free bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that even a stray crumb can matter, so use a solution that prevents contact with those crumbs.
Don’t assume it does: check the ingredients list of the bread you choose. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights iodine as something to consider when you cut bread from your diet, but a gluten-free label doesn’t tell you which salt a particular product contains.
Follow the storage instructions for the specific bread. PLUS says that for Schär Meesterbakker Classic, you should reseal the packaging after opening and use the bread within a few days or freeze it straight away.
Compare fibre per 100 g, for example, and read the ingredients list if iodised salt matters to your choice. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, you get less iodine when you cut bread from your diet; that doesn’t mean all gluten-free bread has the same nutritional value.
