Fibre seekers with busy mornings
You want a crunchy breakfast that takes little preparation, and you’re comparing wholemeal options by their fibre content. Also consider the portion you actually eat.
Which option suits you?
Fans of light melba toast
You’re mainly looking for a crisp base that’s quick to top. The nutritional information and allergens for the specific variety will tell you whether it suits your needs.
People who need to avoid gluten strictly
If you have coeliac disease or a diagnosed gluten sensitivity, it’s important to check that the specific product is labelled gluten-free. If you have a wheat allergy, you’ll also need to check the ingredients and allergen information for wheat.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide what matters most for your weekday breakfast: fibre, convenience, avoiding gluten or the make-up of the whole meal. Then compare products within the right category by checking the label.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre | Check whether the product is wholemeal and compare fibre per 100 g and per portion. | If fibre is my priority, I want to know what my usual portion contributes. For around 40% of consumers, this is their top priority when buying. |
| Convenience and toppings | Check the portion size and think about what you’d like to put on top. | On a busy morning, I’m mainly looking for a crisp base that I can top quickly. Convenience comes first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the gluten-free claim, ingredients and allergen information on the packaging; if you have a wheat allergy, check separately for wheat. | If I need to avoid gluten strictly, whether the specific product is suitable matters more than taste or convenience. Around 20% of consumers put this requirement first. |
| The whole breakfast | Compare fibre and salt on the same basis, and take the toppings you plan to use into account. | I don’t want to judge by the name or crunch alone; I also want to see how the toast fits into my breakfast. For around 10% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all crunchy toast is high in fibre
Toast, melba toast, crackers and crispbread can differ in their grains and nutritional value. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 0.5 g of fibre in a 6 g wholemeal crispbread; Albert Heijn lists 3.9 g of fibre per 100 g for AH Melba Toast naturel. These are different amounts and units of measurement.
Compare the fibre in the products you’re considering per 100 g, then check what your portion contributes.
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Seeing toast as a solution for ongoing stomach problems
Choosing a different toast product isn’t a treatment for ongoing symptoms. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre discusses fibre, drinking fluids and exercise in relation to constipation.
Don’t choose your breakfast based on a promised effect on your symptoms, and speak to a doctor if they persist.
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Confusing wholemeal with gluten-free
Wholemeal describes the grain product; it doesn’t mean that it’s free from gluten. Bolletje lists grains and sesame, among other ingredients, for Oerknäck Waldkorn. So a wholemeal variety isn’t automatically suitable for every dietary requirement or allergen restriction.
If you have coeliac disease, check for a gluten-free claim and avoid cross-contamination. If you have a wheat allergy, also check for a separate declaration of wheat.
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Relying only on online product information
Ingredients and nutritional information can change when a recipe is updated. This is particularly important if you’re monitoring salt or specific allergens.
Check the packaging of the variety you buy and use.
Brands and ranges to compare
These brands offer examples of different crunchy breakfast bases. Compare the specific products: a brand name alone won’t tell you how much fibre or salt a variety contains.
Bolletje
For anyone comparing wholemeal crispbread or light wholemeal crackers.
- Bolletje describes Oerknäck Waldkorn and Lichte Crackers Volkoren as being made from 100% whole grains.
- Bolletje lists gluten-containing grains and sesame for these examples; check the allergens for the variety you choose.
Albert Heijn
AH Melba Toast naturel is an example of plain melba toast to compare with wholemeal varieties.
- Albert Heijn lists 3.9 g of fibre and 1.93 g of salt per 100 g for this product.
- Before buying, check the current ingredients and allergens on the packaging, especially if you need to avoid certain grains or soya.
ALDI / Goud Gebakken
For anyone comparing plain toast, wholemeal varieties or crispbread at ALDI.
- ALDI lists wholemeal toast, seeded varieties and Goud Gebakken wholemeal crispbread, among other options.
- Check the nutritional information and allergens on each pack before comparing products.
Lidl
Lidl lists 140 g of wholemeal rusks, article number 10007003.
- The product name and pack size give you a specific starting point for comparing wholemeal rusks.
- Check the label for the fibre, salt, ingredients and allergens in the pack you choose.
Breakfast crackers and crispbread
These Joybuy products are crunchy crackers and crispbread that you can compare as a base for breakfast. If fibre is your priority, check the nutritional information on the specific pack; this isn’t a selection of gluten-free products.
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Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers, 235 g
An option if you’re looking for rye crackers as a crunchy base for breakfast. Compare the fibre per 100 g and per portion on the packaging; if you have dietary requirements or allergen restrictions, check the ingredients too.
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g'woon Wholemeal Crispbread, 375 g
A wholemeal crispbread option to compare if you’re looking for a base to add toppings to. Check the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion for fibre and salt, and read the allergen information on the packaging.
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Wasa High-Fiber Crackers, 300 g
A cracker to include when comparing breakfast bases and fibre content. Read the nutritional information per 100 g and for the amount you eat; the product name doesn’t replace this comparison.
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Lu Multi-Cereal Crackers, 250 g
A multigrain cracker to compare as a crunchy base for toppings. Multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal: check the ingredients and nutritional information if fibre is your main priority.
Frequently asked questions
Does wholemeal toast help with constipation?
Wholemeal toast isn’t a treatment for constipation. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights fibre, drinking enough fluids and exercise as points to consider for constipation; speak to a doctor if your symptoms persist.
Is ordinary toast suitable if you have coeliac disease?
Ordinary toast isn’t automatically suitable for people with coeliac disease: check that the specific product is explicitly labelled gluten-free and avoid cross-contamination. Toast made with wheat, rye or barley needs particular attention.
How can you make a toast breakfast more varied?
Use toast as a base, then add foods and toppings that suit your own eating habits. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists fruit, yoghurt and wholegrain cereal products among breakfast options; if you have dietary requirements, check the ingredients in the whole combination.
How should you store melba toast after opening?
For AH Melba Toast naturel, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a sealed tin after opening. For another variety, follow the storage advice on its packaging.