Who is this choice relevant to?

If you want to serve toast with less sugar

You’re looking for a base for toppings at your barbecue and want to compare the total sugars in similar types of toast, without relying solely on a claim on the front of the pack.

If you’re also keeping an eye on fibre

As well as sugar, you want to compare fibre per 100 g. The fibre content can vary between the Melba toast varieties listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo, even when the sugar content is the same.

If you need to take allergens into account

You’re serving toast to guests for whom ingredients or possible cross-contamination are important. Check the packaging of the exact variety you’ve chosen, and keep a suitable alternative base separate if needed.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by comparing the total sugars per 100 g in similar types of toast. Then use the fibre and salt figures, along with the ingredients and allergen information, to decide which variety belongs on your barbecue platter.

What to consider What to look for Who it matters to
Total sugars Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g for the same type of toast. If a product is labelled ‘light’ or ‘reduced’, check what the claim refers to. If I want to serve toast with less sugar, I want to compare products on a like-for-like basis rather than rely on a claim. For around 40% of consumers, comparing sugar content is the main consideration.
Fibre and type of grain Compare fibre per 100 g with the sugar content, and check which grains and seeds are used. For toppings on the barbecue platter, I’m looking for toast where the fibre content is a factor, while still being able to assess the sugar content. Fibre comes first for around 30% of consumers.
Allergens and salt Read the allergen and ingredient information on the packaging, and compare salt per 100 g too. If several guests are sharing the same platter, I want to check which toast suits their dietary restrictions and how much salt it contains. For around 30% of consumers, checking the label is the top priority.

Common mistakes when choosing barbecue toast

  • Assuming ‘light’ means ‘sugar-free’

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘light’ can refer to energy, fat or sugar. The term alone doesn’t tell you how much total sugar the toast contains.

    Check what the packaging says has been reduced, then look at the total sugars per 100 g in the nutritional information.

  • Comparing only portions or packs

    A portion on one pack may not be the same size as a portion on another. This means portion figures don’t give you a direct comparison between two types of toast.

    Follow the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice to compare similar products per 100 g, including their fibre and salt content.

  • Assuming plain toast is suitable for every guest

    For the Melba toast varieties reviewed, the product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo lists allergens including cereals containing gluten, soya or sesame. The word ‘plain’ doesn’t mean these aren’t a consideration.

    Check the current packaging of the variety you’ve chosen. If cross-contamination needs to be avoided, keep a suitable alternative base and the utensils used to serve it separate.

  • Assuming iodised baker’s salt is a standard ingredient

    The fact that baker’s salt can be used in bakery products doesn’t tell you which salt is used in a particular type of toast.

    If iodine matters to your choice, check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer.

Brands to compare

Van der Meulen

Melba toast in varieties including plain, wholemeal and 7-grain; compare the nutritional information for each variety.

  • Albert Heijn lists 9.7 g of fibre and 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g for Melba toast wholemeal. Jumbo lists 3.9 g of fibre and the same 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g for Melba Toast Naturel.
  • These figures don’t apply to every variety. Check the allergens too: the wholemeal variety listed contains wheat, soya and sesame, among other ingredients.

AH

The own-brand variety AH Melba toast naturel is a toast base that lists total and added sugars separately.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars and 3.2 g of total sugars per 100 g for AH Melba toast naturel. These are two different figures.
  • Albert Heijn also lists 1.93 g of salt per 100 g and the allergens wheat, barley and soya. Check the current packaging, as product information can change.

Sun Snacks

ALDI lists plain Melba toast and toast cups under this brand as different product types.

  • ALDI lists the pack size for the plain Melba toast as 240 g, which can help you identify the right variety on the shelf.
  • Check the nutritional and allergen information on the packaging before comparing this variety with other types of toast.

Toast products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘light’ or ‘reduced’ mean toast is sugar-free?

No, those words don’t mean that toast is sugar-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that ‘light’ can mean less energy, fat or sugar than in a comparable product. So check what the claim refers to, then look separately at the total sugars per 100 g.

How do I compare two types of toast for a barbecue?

First, compare similar types of toast per 100 g, not just per portion. Then check the sugars, fibre and salt in the nutritional information, and read the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you want to serve.

Which allergens can Melba toast contain?

It varies by variety: the product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo lists wheat, barley, soya and sesame, among other ingredients, for the Melba toast varieties discussed. If a guest has an allergy, rely on the current packaging of the specific product, not its general name.

Does Dutch toast always contain iodine from baker’s salt?

Don’t assume this is the case for a particular product. If the salt used matters to your choice, check the ingredients for that variety of toast or ask the manufacturer.

How can I keep toast crisp until serving?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The product information advises keeping toast well sealed and dry after opening. Serve the toast and moist toppings separately.