Fussy eaters making the switch to wholemeal
Would you like to try a product made with wholemeal flour, but find firm, crunchy bread less appealing? Half-wholemeal sandwich bread offers a softer option. It isn’t the same as a fully wholemeal product.
Who are these options suitable for?
Commuters looking for a quick, filling breakfast
If you’re short on time in the morning, the texture matters: melba toast is crisp straight away, while soft sandwich bread is better if you want to make a sandwich or toasted sandwich. Check the storage instructions if you’re planning to stock up.
Shoppers comparing labels
If fibre, salt or allergens affect your choice, compare the nutritional information per 100 g and read the ingredients for the specific product. If you have an allergy, check the latest allergen information on the packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, choose the texture you want for a quick breakfast: soft sandwich bread or crisp toast straight away. Then compare the product description and nutritional information on a like-for-like basis.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and texture | Check whether the product is described as wholemeal or half-wholemeal, and compare fibre per 100 g. | If I don’t like firm wholemeal bread, I want to know whether a softer option still contains wholemeal flour. For around 40% of consumers, this combination of taste and wholemeal content is the most important factor. |
| Convenience and storage | Check whether the toast is ready to top, and what the packaging says about storing or freezing it. | When I need to get breakfast ready quickly, it makes a difference whether I can top something crisp straight away or grab bread from the freezer. This practical convenience comes first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Allergens and salt | Check the allergen information and compare salt per 100 g; also consider the portion you eat. | If I have an allergy or am watching my salt intake, the label needs to suit my needs, whether or not the product is wholemeal. For around 30% of consumers, checking the label is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking brown or multigrain for wholemeal
A brown colour or the presence of different grains doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour a toast product contains. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the wholemeal label means that the flour used is entirely wholemeal.
Use the product description as your first clue, then check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.
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Looking only at whether it’s wholemeal
A wholemeal product can still contain allergens. The Van der Meulen Melba Volkoren Toast described by Jumbo lists wheat, barley, rye, sesame and soya, as well as 1.9 g of salt per 100 g.
If you have an allergy, check the latest allergen information. To compare salt, check the nutritional information per 100 g for the products you’re considering.
Brands to compare
Van der Meulen
Worth considering if you’re looking for thin, crisp melba toast labelled wholemeal.
- The Melba Volkoren Toast described by Jumbo contains 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The same product lists wheat, barley, rye, sesame and soya as allergens, and contains 1.9 g of salt per 100 g. Check these details for the variety you buy.
Albert Heijn
AH Extra lang lekker tostibrood volkoren is a soft bread option to compare with half-wholemeal bread and crisp melba toast.
- Albert Heijn describes this product as half-wholemeal wheat bread and lists 7.2 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Half-wholemeal isn’t the same as fully wholemeal. This sandwich bread contains gluten and soya, and may contain milk, sesame and lactose.
Goud Gebakken
Under this brand, ALDI Netherlands offers products including wholemeal rusk, crackers and crispbread: crunchy bread products you can compare with toast.
- You can compare a range of crunchy product types.
- Check the nutritional information and allergens on the packaging for the variety you choose. Rusk, crackers and toast are different products.
SUN SNACKS
ALDI Netherlands lists SUN SNACKS Toast and Melba toast as separate options if you’re looking for a dry, crunchy base.
- You can weigh up ordinary toast and melba toast as different options.
- Don’t assume a product is wholemeal based on its type; check the description and nutritional information for the individual product.
Toast products on Joybuy
These two products suit a quick breakfast when you want a crunchy base. If you’re looking for soft half-wholemeal sandwich bread, these toast products aren’t an equivalent option in terms of texture.
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Liga Cracotte high fiber 250 g
An option if you want a crunchy base to top for a quick breakfast. The pack contains 250 g; check the nutritional information per 100 g and, if you have an allergy, read the latest ingredients and allergen information.
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Delverde Classic Melba Toast 100 g
Melba toast is a good choice for a quick breakfast if you’re looking for a crunchy base to top, but not if you want soft sandwich bread. The pack contains 100 g; check the wholemeal description, fibre and allergens if these affect your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is brown or multigrain toast automatically wholemeal?
No. A brown colour or the presence of several types of grain doesn’t mean a product is fully wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the wholemeal label means the flour is entirely wholemeal, so check the product description and ingredients list too.
Do I still need to check for allergens in wholemeal toast?
Yes. The wholemeal label doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable if you have an allergy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed products, so check the latest information for the toast you want to buy.
Can I freeze sandwich bread for a quick breakfast?
It depends on the product’s storage instructions. Albert Heijn says AH Extra lang lekker tostibrood volkoren can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and used within a month. For other sandwich bread, follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Does all toast in the Netherlands contain iodine?
You can’t tell from the type of product alone. Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for AH Extra lang lekker tostibrood volkoren, but that doesn’t automatically apply to other toast products.