Who are these options for?

Small households with bread left over

If you don’t eat bread every day, a half loaf may suit you better than a whole one. Freeze any slices you won’t use soon in individual portions.

Coffee drinkers looking for wholemeal bread

Do you fancy toast with your coffee and care about what’s in your bread? Compare the wholemeal labelling and fibre per 100 g on the pack.

Fans of small, crunchy toast

If you don’t want to toast a slice of bread, Melba toast and crispbread could be just the thing with your coffee. They’re different in shape and texture from a half loaf.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want a slice to toast or a crunchy snack that’s ready to eat. For bread, compare the pack size, storage instructions and nutritional information with how often you’ll actually eat it.

What to consider What to check before buying Who is this important for?
Stock and food waste Compare the number of slices with how much you’ll eat, and read the storage instructions. Decide which slices you’ll freeze straight away. If I only eat bread with my coffee now and then, I don’t want the remaining slices to go stale; around 42% of consumers put having the right amount in stock first.
Wholemeal and fibre Check the product name and ingredients list for wholemeal, and compare the fibre per 100 g. If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread, don’t judge it by its brown colour alone; for around 33% of consumers, the ingredients are the top priority.
Crunchiness and shape Choose between a slice to toast and a ready-to-eat crunchy snack. Also check that the shape works with your toppings. With my coffee, I sometimes prefer a small, crunchy snack to a slice of toast; around 25% of consumers say this shape is their first choice.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a half loaf will automatically prevent waste

    Even half a pack can be too much if you only eat toast occasionally. Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling says bread usually keeps for 2 to 4 days outside the fridge.

    Choose an amount that suits how much you eat, and freeze any slices you won’t use in time in individual portions. Don’t store bread in the fridge.

  • Assuming brown, multigrain and wholemeal mean the same thing

    The word ‘half’ says nothing about the fibre content: Jumbo lists 2,3 g of fibre per 100 g for its white half loaf of toastie bread and 6,4 g per 100 g for the wholemeal version.

    Read the product name, ingredients list and nutritional information instead of judging the bread by its colour alone.

  • Treating Melba toast like a half pack of bread

    Melba toast comes in thin, crunchy pieces. It’s different from the slices you use to make toast or a toastie.

    Choose the shape to suit what you want with your coffee. If you switch to a different option, compare the nutritional information and allergens on the pack too.

  • Relying only on online product information

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. This is particularly important if you need to avoid certain ingredients.

    Before eating, check the current label on the exact pack you bought.

Brands to consider

Jumbo

Jumbo lists both a white and a wholemeal half loaf of toastie bread.

  • The wholemeal version lists 6,4 g of fibre per 100 g and around 11 portions per pack.
  • The white half loaf of toastie bread lists 2,3 g of fibre per 100 g. Check the allergens on the current packaging for both versions.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers a half loaf of wholemeal toastie bread and a half loaf of wholemeal multigrain bread with a crisp crust.

  • Extra lang lekker tostibrood volkoren lists 7,2 g of fibre per 100 g; according to Albert Heijn, you can freeze it on the day you buy it.
  • AH Vloer waldkorn half is a different type of bread: its product page states a minimum shelf life of two days after delivery.

ALDI

ALDI lists various fresh half loaves, including a fine wholemeal loaf and an extra-high-fibre wholemeal loaf.

  • You can compare different types of half loaves by size.
  • Check the pack of your chosen loaf if you’re specifically looking for slices for the toaster.

Lidl

Lidl lists a 375 g loaf of toastie bread that’s only available in store.

  • It’s an option to look out for on a trip to the shop if you’re after toastie bread.
  • Check the pack to see whether the size and nutritional information suit your choice of a half loaf.

Van der Meulen (Melba Toast)

Van der Meulen Melba Toast Naturel is a thin, twice-toasted snack, not a half loaf.

  • The 120 g pack suits anyone looking for individual crunchy pieces of toast.
  • This Naturel version lists wheat, barley and soya. Also read the warning about possible traces of sesame.

Bolletje

Bolletje Proteïne Knäckebröd is a crunchy alternative to a snack with your coffee, not a half loaf of toastie bread.

  • Its shape suits anyone looking for crispbread rather than a slice of toast.
  • The product page lists wheat and sesame as allergens; check the current packaging.

Crisp toast at Joybuy

This product is Melba toast for anyone looking for a small, crunchy snack with their coffee. It’s not a half loaf for making toast or toasties.

Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g

Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g

For a crunchy snack with your coffee, without having to toast a slice of bread. The pack contains 100 g of Melba toast. Choose a half loaf if you want slices for toasties, and check the current label if you have allergies.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I stop a half loaf from going to waste?

Buy an amount that suits how much you eat, and freeze any unused slices straight away in individual portions. According to Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling, bread usually keeps for 2 to 4 days outside the fridge. Store it in a sealed bread bag or bread bin, not in the fridge.

How do I compare white and wholemeal half loaves of toastie bread?

Check the wholemeal labelling and compare the fibre per 100 g for the specific products. Jumbo lists 6,4 g for its wholemeal half loaf of toastie bread and 2,3 g for the white version; check the current packaging before you buy.

Does multigrain mean that bread is wholemeal?

No, multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal. Check the product name and ingredients list if you’re looking for wholemeal bread; according to Voedingscentrum, multigrain means that several types of grain are used.

Can I eat these types of bread and Melba toast if I have coeliac disease or a wheat allergy?

Don’t assume that the products mentioned are suitable: the Jumbo and AH toastie breads described contain wheat, while Van der Meulen Melba Toast Naturel lists wheat and barley. Check the current label for the exact product you’ve chosen, including the relevant allergen or gluten-free information.