To choose a lower-sugar option, first compare similar types of toast by their ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g, then check the ingredients, fibre and salt. Don’t rely on labels such as ‘plain’ or ‘multigrain’ alone: the two Van der Meulen varieties on Jumbo’s product pages have the same sugar content, but different amounts of fibre and salt. If you’re stocking a small student kitchen, it’s also worth checking whether you can keep an opened pack dry and sealed properly.
You want to compare types of toast fairly, rather than relying on serving sizes that weigh different amounts. Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g, and read the ingredients if you also want to look out for added sugar. This distinction is in line with the food label guidance from the Voedingscentrum.
You’re looking for a base for breakfast, lunch or a snack, and want to compare fibre as well as sugars. ‘Multigrain’ and ‘wholegrain’ don’t mean the same thing, so check the product name, ingredients and nutritional information for the one you choose.
You need a pack that fits in your kitchen and can be stored properly once opened. If you have a food allergy, check the current ingredients and allergen information every time you buy a product, even if you already know it.
Start by comparing sugars per 100 g in similar products. Then decide whether fibre, allergens or how to store an opened pack affect your choice.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g in similar types of toast. Read the ingredients if you want to identify added sugar. | If I want to choose less sugar, I don’t want a smaller serving to make a product look like the better option. For around 40% of consumers, comparing sugar comes first. |
| Fibre and wholegrain | Check whether the product is labelled ‘wholegrain’ and compare fibre and salt per 100 g. ‘Multigrain’ doesn’t guarantee a fully wholegrain product. | For breakfast or lunch, I’m looking for a grain product where fibre is my main deciding factor, even if the sugar content isn’t lower. This applies to around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warning. | If I have a food allergy, I need to be able to check the ingredients and allergens listed on the pack before buying. Around 20% of consumers say this check is their top priority. |
| Stocking up and storage | Check the pack size and storage instructions, and think about how you’ll seal the pack properly once it’s open. | With limited cupboard space, I don’t want to open a larger pack than I can store properly. This matters most to roughly 10% of consumers. |
A piece of toast or a serving size chosen by the manufacturer can weigh different amounts from one product to another. That means the per-serving figure tells you little about the difference between two products.
Follow the Voedingscentrum’s advice and compare per 100 g first. Then consider how much you usually eat.
Using several types of grain doesn’t automatically make toast fully wholegrain. The Voedingscentrum distinguishes between toast containing a proportion of wholemeal flour and a product made entirely from wholemeal flour.
Check the product name and ingredients, then compare fibre and salt per 100 g.
On Jumbo’s product pages for Van der Meulen Melba Toast, the multigrain variety has more fibre than the plain one, but also more salt. The ingredients differ too.
As well as checking the fibre value, look at the salt content and, if relevant to you, the full allergen information on the current packaging.
An opened pack that isn’t sealed properly is less suitable for stocking up in a small or shared kitchen.
Choose a pack size that suits how much you use. The Voedingscentrum recommends storing toast in a cool, dry, dark place and sealing it properly once opened.
Compare specific products, not just brand names: the information available varies between types of toast, crackers and crispbreads.
For comparing plain and multigrain Melba Toast.
A brand to consider if you’re also thinking about crispbreads or crackers instead of toast.
A supermarket own brand to compare with other plain Melba Toast.
This selection includes rice toast and several varieties of Melba Toast. Compare the current nutritional information per 100 g to help you choose; the pack sizes can help you decide what’s practical for keeping in stock.
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A 65 g pack could suit you if you’re looking for a small amount of rice toast to keep in stock. Always check the current packaging when comparing sugar content or if you have allergies.
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This 240 g pack is an option if you can use it all and store it properly once opened. Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging, especially if you need to avoid certain ingredients.
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This round Melba Toast comes in a 100 g pack. If fibre is a key factor in your choice, include the fibre value on the current packaging in your comparison.
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The 100 g pack is worth weighing up against your available cupboard space and how much you use. Check the current fibre value and, if you have a food allergy, read the allergen information on the packaging.
Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g in products with the same purpose, such as two types of Melba Toast. According to the Voedingscentrum, this value includes all sugars present. Also read the ingredients list if you want to know whether sugar has been added.
No, ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘wholegrain’. The Voedingscentrum says a piece of toast can only be called wholegrain if it’s made entirely from wholemeal flour, so check the name and ingredients of the specific product.
Store toast in a cool, dry, dark place and seal it properly, as the Voedingscentrum recommends. Also follow the storage instructions and use-by date on the packaging. If you have limited storage space, choose a pack size that suits how much you use.
No, the meaning of bakers’ salt doesn’t mean that every type of toast is made with it. Overheid.nl describes bakers’ salt as iodised table salt for bread and other bakery products. Check the ingredients list or ask the manufacturer which salt is used in a particular type of toast.
