Who is this choice relevant for?

Parents of a toddler with coeliac disease

Looking for a clearly labelled gluten-free breakfast option and a way to avoid contact with ordinary bread crumbs, both at home and out and about.

Parents of a fussy breakfast eater

Looking for a type and portion of bread their toddler will eat, while continuing to check the nutritional information and any dietary restrictions.

Parents who pack breakfast for their child

Want to agree with their child’s nursery or school on how gluten-free food will be stored, prepared and served.

What should you look for when choosing?

For a toddler with coeliac disease, the gluten-free label comes first. Then compare the type of bread and nutritional information, and consider how it will be prepared away from home if you’re packing it for your child.

What to consider What to check when buying Most relevant for
Keeping it gluten-free and crumb-free Look for the ‘gluten-free’ label or Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging. Think about how you’ll store and prepare the bread separately from ordinary bread. For a toddler with coeliac disease, I want to prevent ordinary bread crumbs getting into their breakfast. Safe gluten-free food preparation would be the main concern for around 33% of consumers.
Nutritional information Compare fibre, sugars and salt per 100 g and, where listed, per portion. Check the ingredients list for iodised salt. If bread is often served at breakfast or lunch, I want to know how it fits into my daily diet. Nutritional information would be the main priority for around 27% of consumers.
Type of bread and portion size Consider whether a sliced loaf or individual rolls are a better fit for the amount you want to serve. Check the packaging for any storage instructions. If my toddler doesn’t want much bread in the morning, I look for a manageable portion. Around 20% of consumers would mainly focus on this.
Packing it for nursery or school Ask about the arrangements for food brought from home and discuss who will prepare the bread and toppings. Check the current packaging before packing anything. If someone else is serving breakfast, I want them to know which bread is for my child and how to prepare it. This handover would be the main concern for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘wheat-free’ means gluten-free

    Avoiding wheat is not enough when you have coeliac disease: other grains, including rye and barley, also contain gluten. So an ingredients list with no wheat does not replace a clear gluten-free label.

    Choose bread labelled ‘gluten-free’ or bearing the Crossed Grain symbol, and check the packaging again if the product or packaging changes.

  • Preparing gluten-free bread alongside ordinary bread

    According to the Voedingscentrum, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease. This means shared kitchen utensils and spreads are important to consider too.

    Where needed, keep the chopping board, knife and spreads separate, and discuss with the nursery how breakfast will be prepared.

  • Choosing based only on the words ‘gluten-free’

    The label doesn’t tell you what portion is suitable, or what other ingredients, nutritional information and possible allergen warnings are listed on the packaging.

    Once you’ve narrowed down your options to gluten-free products, compare their nutritional information and allergen warnings.

  • Assuming all gluten-free bread contains iodised salt

    Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH Glutenvrij Wit brood half. This tells you nothing about the ingredients in another loaf.

    If iodised salt is relevant to your choice, check the ingredients list of the bread you’re buying.

Brands to consider

A brand name doesn’t tell you whether every variety is gluten-free or suitable for other allergies. Always check the packaging of the product you choose.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn’s gluten-free bread range includes a half loaf of sliced white bread for those looking for this type of loaf.

  • Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Wit brood half as a 480 g pack, containing iodised salt and suitable for freezing on the day of purchase.
  • Albert Heijn notes that it may contain, among other things, egg, milk and soya. Check the current packaging for the full ingredients list and allergen warnings.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

Jumbo’s range includes a 500 g white gluten-free loaf and a brown variety.

  • The listed white variety offers a loaf option for anyone who wants to make sandwiches.
  • Check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens on the packaging of the variety you choose.

Schär

Jumbo offers various types of gluten-free bread from Schär, including Meesterbakker Classic, Mini Baguette and Ciabatta Rustica.

  • These options give you a choice of bread types and portion sizes to compare.
  • Check the ‘gluten-free’ label, ingredients and allergens for each variety. The brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether a product meets your toddler’s other needs.

Consenza

Jumbo offers Consenza gluten-free white rolls, among other types of bread.

  • Individual white rolls are a different option from a whole sliced loaf.
  • Check the packaging of the variety you choose, and make sure it’s available when you need it.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is ordinary white bread suitable for a toddler with coeliac disease?

No, ordinary white bread is not a gluten-free alternative. For a toddler with coeliac disease, choose bread clearly labelled as gluten-free and avoid contact with ordinary bread crumbs during preparation.

How can I recognise gluten-free bread?

Look for the ‘gluten-free’ label or Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging. The Dutch Coeliac Society explains that ‘gluten-free’ means the product contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg; also check the current ingredients list and warnings about other allergens.

Should I cut out gluten if I suspect coeliac disease?

Talk to a doctor about your concerns before changing your toddler’s diet. According to the Voedingscentrum, eating gluten-free before testing can make coeliac disease harder to diagnose.

Does gluten-free bread always contain iodised salt?

You can’t assume this is true of every gluten-free loaf. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH Glutenvrij Wit brood half; check the ingredients list for any other product.

What should I agree with the nursery if my toddler takes bread in?

Ask about the nursery or school’s arrangements for food brought from home, and agree who will store and prepare the gluten-free bread. Also discuss how to keep it away from crumbs from other food. The Dutch Coeliac Society stresses the importance of coordination between everyone involved in your child’s care.