Which type of bread might suit you?

People with coeliac disease

If you have coeliac disease, start by looking for the ‘gluten-free’ label when choosing bread for supper. If you have other allergies, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging too.

People short on time in the evening

You want bread you can eat without baking. For ready-to-eat products, compare the format and pack size, and check the storage instructions for after opening.

People who want to bake their own bread

You’re happy to set aside time to prepare the bread and want to choose between wholegrain oat and seed mixes. Before buying, check what extra ingredients and equipment the mix requires.

What should you look for when buying?

First, check for the gluten-free label and any other allergens that matter to you. Then decide whether you want bread that’s ready to eat straight away. The ingredients and nutritional values can help you compare suitable products.

Criteria What to check Who it matters to
Gluten-free status and allergens Look for ‘gluten-free’. For oat products, check the label, ingredients and any other allergen information. If I have coeliac disease, I need bread that’s explicitly labelled gluten-free and must also consider any other potential allergens. This is the main priority for around 36% of consumers.
Ready to eat Choose ready-to-eat bread and compare the pack size and instructions for using it after opening. If I’m shopping in the evening, I want bread I can eat without baking and to be able to use up an opened loaf in time. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers.
Ingredients and nutritional values Compare the ingredients list and nutritional values per 100 g, particularly fibre, fat and salt. For a hearty supper, I want to know which grains and seeds are included and how the nutritional values compare. Around 21% of consumers consider this their top priority.
Baking your own Check any extra ingredients, the baking tin and the steps involved, including proving, soaking and baking times. I want to bake fresh bread and can plan the preparation before supper. This is the main preference for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes when buying bread

  • Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘free from all allergens’

    Bread labelled gluten-free may still contain other allergenic ingredients. For example, Seitenbacher seed bread mix contains cashew nuts. ‘May contain’ warnings could also be relevant.

    If you have other allergies, always check the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging.

  • Planning to use a bread mix as if it were ready-to-eat bread

    A bread mix needs to be prepared and baked first. Depending on the recipe, you may also need to add water and yeast, and allow time for soaking or proving.

    If you want bread ready for supper without any preparation, choose a ready-to-eat product. If you’re buying a mix, read the full preparation instructions first.

    Remember to factor in oven time and, where needed, yeast or a suitable tin.

  • Assuming ‘wholegrain’ and ‘with seeds’ mean the same thing

    These terms alone don’t tell you which ingredients make up the largest proportion or what the nutritional values are. According to the respective REWE product information, Schär Vollkornbrot contains 9 g of fibre per 100 g, while REWE frei von Pures Korn Brot contains 14.1 g. The products also differ in format and ingredients.

    Compare the ingredients list and nutritional values per 100 g instead of choosing by name alone.

  • Leaving the storage instructions until after opening

    The product information for REWE frei von Pures Korn Brot says it should be used within 48 hours of opening. Other breads may have different instructions.

    Choose a pack size that suits how much you’ll use, and follow the storage instructions for that specific product.

A guide to relevant brands

Schär

The gluten-free wholegrain bread listed by REWE is a ready-to-eat option for supper without the need to bake.

  • The listed bread is labelled gluten-free; REWE states that it contains 9 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • If you want to bake fresh bread or choose a different base of ingredients, compare the specific product with bread mixes.

REWE frei von

The products considered include a ready-to-eat bread and a gluten-free dark rye bread mix.

  • According to REWE, the dark bread mix contains 42% gluten-free wholegrain oat flakes and 25% sunflower seeds.
  • REWE says that ready-to-eat Pures Korn Brot should be used within 48 hours of opening; the bread mix takes time to prepare.

Bauck Mühle

The listed gluten-free wholegrain oat mix is for households who want to bake their own bread.

  • According to REWE, the mix contains gluten-free oats and wholegrain oat flour.
  • You’ll also need water and yeast to prepare it. If you have other allergies, check the allergen and ‘may contain’ information.

Seitenbacher

The gluten-free bread mix considered here is made with seeds and for baking your own bread.

  • Seitenbacher lists gluten-free oats, 40% seeds and cashew nuts as ingredients in the mix.
  • The bread isn’t ready to eat straight away. Bear in mind that it contains cashew nuts and may contain traces of other allergens.

Suitable products at Joybuy

This crispbread is an option for supper without any baking. It’s a different format from soft wholegrain sliced bread. If you specifically want wholegrain flour, check the ingredients on the pack.

Schär Gluten-Free Dark Crispbread, 125 g

Schär Gluten-Free Dark Crispbread, 125 g

This crispbread is labelled gluten-free and is a handy option if you don’t want to bake for supper.

It’s a crisp, crunchy crispbread and isn’t a substitute for soft wholegrain sliced bread. If you’re specifically looking for wholegrain, check the flour information; if you have a soya allergy, check the current allergen labelling.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

What does ‘gluten-free’ mean on bread?

In the EU, the ‘gluten-free’ claim applies to foods containing no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg, as the Verbraucherzentrale also points out. ‘Very low gluten’ is a different claim and shouldn’t be confused with ‘gluten-free’ when shopping for someone with coeliac disease.

Can I choose gluten-free bread with oats if I have coeliac disease?

Bread containing oats may be suitable if the product is explicitly labelled gluten-free. Check this on the specific pack, and also look out for any other ingredients and allergens that matter to you.

How do I compare wholegrain and seeded breads?

Compare the ingredients list and nutritional values per 100 g, rather than looking only at the name on the front of the pack. The Lebensmittelverband Deutschland explains that ingredients are listed in descending order by weight; stated percentages also show how much of particular ingredients the product contains.

How long does gluten-free bread keep after opening?

Follow the storage and usage instructions for the specific product. REWE says that REWE frei von Pures Korn Brot should be used within 48 hours of opening; don’t assume the same timeframe applies to other breads.