People with coeliac disease who want to join in
For King’s Day, you’re looking for something to replace rye bread, with a clear gluten-free label and allergen information you can check before serving.
Who are these alternatives for?
Hosts catering for a gluten-free guest
You want to prepare and serve a familiar alternative separately for breakfast, a picnic or drinks, without it coming into contact with regular bread or crumbs.
People who regularly eat gluten-free bread
As well as checking for a gluten-free label, you’ll want to compare ingredients and nutritional information, such as fibre and salt per 100 g. The Dutch Coeliac Association points out that gluten-free breads vary in composition.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, choose a product that’s clearly labelled gluten-free. Then decide which type of bread will suit your King’s Day table. Baking your own gives you control over the shape and portions, but you’ll also need to check the ingredients and preparation carefully.
Pre-packed gluten-free bread
Ideal for: sandwiches when you don’t want to bake your own.
Consider: bread composition varies, so compare products by checking their labels.
Gluten-free part-baked rolls
Ideal for: small portions of bread to serve just before drinks or a meal.
Consider: baking them requires preparation and a clean work surface.
Baking your own
Ideal for: a table where you want to choose the type of bread and portion sizes yourself.
Consider: you’ll need to check the recipe, all the ingredients and avoid contact with gluten during preparation.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing gluten-free | Look for the ‘gluten-free’ label and read the ingredients and allergen information; a dark colour or the name of the bread isn’t enough. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to choose an alternative without relying on how the bread looks. For around 50% of consumers, being able to make a verified gluten-free choice comes first. |
| Serving on King’s Day | Check the product format, any baking instructions and availability at the shop you’re buying from. | For drinks, I want to be able to prepare small portions in good time and serve them separately. Ease of serving is the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
| Bread composition | Compare ingredients and nutritional information, including fibre and salt per 100 g. If you eat it regularly, check what type of salt the bread contains, too. | If I eat gluten-free bread regularly, I want to know what I’m buying as a regular bread substitute. Around 20% of consumers give composition the highest priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark bread or sourdough is gluten-free
The colour and name of a bread don’t tell you whether it’s suitable for someone with coeliac disease. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, rye naturally contains gluten; multigrain products can also contain grains that contain gluten.
Choose a product with a clear gluten-free label and check the ingredients list rather than judging it by its appearance.
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Relying only on the online range
A category page can help you plan, but it won’t tell you whether your chosen product is available in your local shop or which packaging you’ll find there.
Check the latest product information shortly before King’s Day and read the label when you buy it. Think in advance about another gluten-free product that would work for your meal.
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Assuming all gluten-free breads are the same
The Dutch Coeliac Association highlights differences in composition and notes that gluten-free bread isn’t always made with baker’s salt. This is particularly worth bearing in mind if it often replaces regular bread.
Compare the nutritional information for each product. If you have questions about following a gluten-free diet long term, speak to a specialist dietitian.
Brands and shops to explore
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has an online category for gluten-free bread, including a dark multiseed loaf from its own brand.
- The category lets you browse different types of bread in advance.
- Check the label of your chosen product and whether it’s available at your local shop.
PLUS
PLUS has a separate online category for gluten-free bread, as well as a product page for Schär mini baguettes.
- You can browse loaves and smaller part-baked options separately.
- Check the current packaging and availability before buying.
Dirk
Dirk’s online search results include Schär Meisterbackers gluten-free bread.
- You can look up a specific bread product in advance.
- A search result is no substitute for checking the product label.
ALDI
ALDI lists gluten-free bread as part of its Dutch bakery range.
- The bakery page gives you a starting point when planning.
- Check which products are available in store and read their packaging.
Lidl
On its gluten-free products page, Lidl distinguishes between its standard range and extra products available for a limited time.
- This distinction can help you plan what to buy.
- Lidl reported that the additional gluten-free products available for a limited time were not available at that point; check the current range separately.
Joybuy products for this choice
These products suit two ways of preparing an alternative to rye bread for King’s Day: baking your own bread with a gluten-free mix or serving small rolls. Check the current packaging before preparing anything for someone with coeliac disease.
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Schär Bread Mix-Mix B Gluten Free, 1 kg
An option if you’d like to bake your own bread for the King’s Day table. The product information says it can be prepared by hand or in a bread maker. The mix contains soya, so check the current ingredients and allergen information, and make sure all utensils and surfaces are free from rye bread crumbs. If the type of salt matters to you, check the packaging.
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Gv Baguette Mini 7 Pieces
A possible choice for serving small portions of bread with drinks on King’s Day. The product information uses different descriptions for the shape and contents, so check the current packaging to see what you’ll receive and how to prepare it. Also check the allergen information: soya is listed, along with possible traces of lupin and mustard. When serving, use clean utensils and keep the rolls separate from regular rye bread.
Frequently asked questions
Is regular rye bread gluten-free?
No. Regular rye bread isn’t gluten-free: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, rye naturally contains gluten. If you have coeliac disease, don’t choose bread based on its dark colour or fibre content.
How can I recognise a gluten-free alternative to rye bread?
Look for the ‘gluten-free’ label on the packaging and read the ingredients and allergen information. According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, a finished product carrying this label contains less than 20 mg/kg of gluten; the name of the bread or its multigrain appearance isn’t enough.
Is iodine something to consider when choosing gluten-free bread?
It can be something to consider if gluten-free bread often replaces regular bread. The Dutch Coeliac Association reports that gluten-free bread isn’t always made with baker’s salt. Don’t assess your diet based on a single bread product, and speak to a specialist dietitian if you have questions about eating gluten-free long term.
How can I serve gluten-free rolls alongside rye bread?
Keep the gluten-free rolls and their toppings separate from regular rye bread and its crumbs. Use clean knives, chopping boards and serving plates, and keep the packaging so your guest can check the ingredients and allergens.