Looking for a small toast to add a topping to
You want a thin, crisp toast for a little topping late in the evening. Its size, texture and sesame flavour will help you decide whether Melba toast is right for your snack.
Who might find these options useful?
Comparing fibre content
You’re comparing the nutritional value of snack bases and are also open to trying a seed cracker. It has a different shape and is eaten differently from thin Melba toast.
Need to check allergens
If you’re looking at toast with seeds, check the current label first for sesame, cereals containing gluten, soya and any cross-contamination warnings. Then compare the flavour and nutritional value.
What should you look for when choosing?
Sesame Melba toast
Choose this if: you’re looking for a thin, crisp toast for a small topping and enjoy the flavour of sesame.
Bear in mind: fibre, salt and allergens vary by product. Also consider how many pieces of toast and how much topping you’ll have.
Seed cracker
Choose this if: you’d prefer a sturdier cracker and want to compare the fibre content of different products.
Bear in mind: a cracker isn’t the same as a thin piece of Melba toast. Check the ingredients and allergens here too.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and size | Compare a thin piece of toast with a sturdier cracker, and check the size of each piece. | If I want a small, crisp base for a topping late in the evening, size is an important factor. For around 40% of consumers, texture is likely to be the first thing they consider. |
| Fibre and salt | Read the nutritional information per 100 g and work out the amount for the portion you’ll eat, including any topping. | If I choose a snack based on its nutritional value, I want to compare the fibre and salt content of specific products. For around 30% of consumers, this is likely to be the main reason for their choice. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current ingredients list, allergen information and any relevant cross-contamination warnings. | If I need to avoid sesame, soya or cereals containing gluten, checking the label comes before choosing a particular flavour. Allergens are likely to be the first thing around 30% of consumers consider. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming seeds tell you everything about a snack
The presence of seeds doesn’t tell you how much fibre or salt a piece of toast contains. The number of pieces you eat and your choice of topping also affect the nutritional value of your snack.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion. Albert Heijn lists 5 g of fibre and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g for Van der Meulen Melba toast sesame. For AH Biologisch Melba toast with sesame seeds, it lists 5.2 g of fibre and 1.1 g of salt per 100 g.
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Choosing seeded toast without checking the allergens
The Van der Meulen sesame Melba toast described by Albert Heijn lists ingredients including wheat, barley, sesame and soya. The name or image of another product is no substitute for checking its own label.
Read the current ingredients list and allergen information before eating. Also look out for cross-contamination warnings if they’re relevant to you.
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Assuming the word ‘toast’ means it contains iodine
A product name won’t tell you whether the toast is made with iodised salt. The Netherlands Bakery Centre also explains that the use of iodised baker’s salt is not a general legal requirement.
If the type of salt used is important to you, look for a mention of baker’s salt or iodised salt on the current label.
Brands to compare
Van der Meulen
Van der Meulen Melba toast sesame is an option if you’re specifically looking for thin sesame toast to add a small topping to.
- Albert Heijn lists 7% sesame seeds and a 120 g pack for this variety.
- The product listing names wheat, sesame, barley and soya as allergens. Check the current label.
Albert Heijn Biologisch
Melba toast with sesame seeds offers an organic option if you’re looking for thin toast.
- Albert Heijn lists 7% sesame seeds for this Melba toast.
- An organic label doesn’t automatically make the toast suitable if you need to avoid sesame or other allergens.
Bolletje
Bolletje Proteïn & Low carb Crackers are a cracker option to consider alongside Melba toast.
- Bolletje describes these crackers as being made with sunflower seed flour, seeds and kernels.
- They’re a different type of product from Melba toast. Check the current allergen information and compare the nutritional information for the specific product.
ALDI / Goud Gebakken
ALDI describes multiseed and sesame wholegrain varieties in its cracker range.
- When comparing, you can look at the difference between the multiseed and sesame varieties.
- Check the packaging of your chosen variety for its ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers different types of toast in its toast category, including Melba toast and crisp toast.
- The category makes it easy to compare different types of product.
- Check the information for each product before choosing based on its seeds, nutritional value or allergens.
Joybuy products to consider
These products mainly showcase seed crackers for a late-night snack, alongside classic Melba toast as a different type of toast. Compare the size and current nutritional and allergen information for each product.
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TastyBasics Crackers Sunflower Seeds, 8 pieces
A cracker option if you’re looking for sunflower seeds rather than thin sesame toast. The pack contains 8 pieces; check the label for the other ingredients, nutritional information and allergens.
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Wasa High-Fiber Crackers, 300 g
A cracker to consider if you want to compare the fibre content of snack bases. The pack is 300 g; use the current nutritional information to assess the value per 100 g and per portion you’d eat.
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Wasa Thin Crisp Sesame, 190 g
A sesame cracker to consider if you want to compare a thin base for toppings with Melba toast. The pack is 190 g; check the size of each cracker and the allergen information on the label.
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Lu Vitalu Multiseed Crackers, 200 g
A multiseed cracker if you’re looking for a snack base containing a variety of seeds. The pack is 200 g; compare the fibre, salt and allergens listed on the current label before choosing.
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Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g
Classic Melba toast to compare with seed crackers as a different type of toast. The pack is 100 g; check the ingredients and allergens on the current label, especially if you need to avoid an allergen.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘with seeds’ tell you enough about the nutritional value of a late-night snack?
No. Compare the nutritional information for the specific product per 100 g and per portion, and include any topping in your calculation. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that snacks can vary considerably in salt, sugars and fats, among other things.
What should I check if I need to avoid sesame, gluten or soya?
Read the current ingredients list, allergen information and any cross-contamination warnings for the specific product. Albert Heijn lists sesame, wheat, barley and soya, among other ingredients, for Van der Meulen Melba toast sesame. Don’t assume that another type of toast has the same ingredients.
How should I store Melba toast after opening?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging you’ve bought. For AH Biologisch Melba toast with sesame seeds, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a sealed tin after opening. Check the advice again if you choose a different variety.
Should I compare nutritional values per 100 g or per piece of toast?
Use both: comparing per 100 g gives you a like-for-like basis, while the value per portion shows what you’ll actually eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an example value for one 6 g wholemeal piece of toast, but weight and nutritional value can vary by product. Remember to include any topping in your own snack too.