When choosing toast for a school holiday lunch, compare the stated sugar content per 100 g rather than relying only on the words ‘reduced sugar’. The varieties reviewed at Jumbo and Albert Heijn each list 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g. That is below the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s stated threshold of 5 g per 100 g for ‘low sugar’, but it doesn’t prove they contain less sugar than comparable toast. Also compare wholegrain ingredients, fibre, salt and allergens, and take the toppings into account when planning lunch.
They’re looking for toast as a crunchy change, without losing sight of bread and suitable toppings. For children aged 4 to 12, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread as lunch options.
They compare sugars per 100 g and want to know whether a low stated sugar content also means less sugar than in comparable toast.
They need to check each variety for ingredients such as wheat, soya or sesame that may be relevant. Ingredients and allergen warnings can vary between toast products.
For a school holiday lunch, sugar content is just one consideration. The ingredients, nutritional values and toppings you choose also help determine which toast is right for you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g for the same type of toast. A low figure alone doesn’t prove that it contains less sugar than a comparable product. | If I want less sugar in the toast itself, I also consider what I put on it. An estimated 45% of consumers say sugar content is their main reason for buying. |
| Wholegrain and fibre | Check the ingredients list and compare fibre per 100 g. Jumbo lists 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g for Van der Meulen Melba Volkoren Toast; the plain varieties reviewed list 3.9 g. | If you want to serve toast regularly at lunchtime, you may place particular value on a wholegrain ingredient and the stated fibre content. An estimated 33% of consumers say this is their first consideration. |
| Allergens and salt | Read the current allergen information for the exact variety and compare salt per 100 g. Remember to take the toppings into account, too. | If I need to check ingredients carefully, I want to know which allergens and how much salt the toast contains before buying it. An estimated 22% of consumers put this label check first. |
A sugar content below the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s stated threshold for ‘low sugar’ doesn’t show how much less sugar the toast contains than a comparable product.
Compare the stated sugars per 100 g within the same type of toast. Only assess a reduction claim once it’s clear what the product is being compared with.
All the toast varieties reviewed list 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g, but their stated fibre content differs. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal or brown bread in particular for children’s lunches.
Also check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g. Serve toast as a change, and consider the role of bread and toppings in the lunch as a whole.
Allergens vary by variety. The product listings reviewed at Jumbo and Albert Heijn also show salt levels ranging from 1.3 g to 1.93 g per 100 g.
Before buying, check the current packaging of the toast you’ve chosen and compare the salt content of the toppings you plan to serve with it.
The Melba Toast Naturel and Melba Volkoren Toast listed at Jumbo give you two varieties to compare for a lunchtime option.
According to Albert Heijn, AH Melba toast naturel is a plain variety sold in a pack of twelve packets, each containing six pieces of toast.
ALDI Nederland lists Sun Snacks Melba Toast Naturel as plain toast in a 240 g pack.
No. The varieties reviewed at Jumbo and Albert Heijn list 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g, which is below the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s stated threshold of 5 g per 100 g for ‘low sugar’. To claim a reduction compared with similar toast, a substantiated comparison is also needed.
Jumbo lists 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g for Van der Meulen Melba Volkoren Toast 120 g. The AH Melba toast naturel and Van der Meulen Melba Toast Naturel reviewed each list 3.9 g per 100 g. This difference applies to these specific varieties, not all toast.
Check the packaging for the exact variety. The Van der Meulen wholegrain variety reviewed lists wheat, barley, rye, soya and sesame, among other ingredients; AH Melba toast naturel lists wheat, barley and soya, among other ingredients, and warns that other cereals and sesame may also be present.
No. Don’t assume that all toast is made with baker’s salt. For children’s lunches, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of bread baked with baker’s salt. For a particular toast, check the ingredients list or ask the manufacturer which salt was used.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the toast you’ve chosen. Albert Heijn recommends storing AH Melba toast naturel in a sealed tin after opening; for other varieties, check their own best-before information, too.
