Who are these choices relevant to?

Parents keeping an eye on total sugars

You want to compare types of toast using the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, rather than relying only on the ingredients list or the look of the packaging.

Carers of a fussy eater

You’re looking for a flavour and texture the person will accept. A plain variety is a different starting point from toast with herbs or a strong flavour, but what someone accepts varies from person to person.

Families weighing up more than just sugar

As well as sugars, you want to check the salt, fibre and allergens for the exact variety. If there are chewing or swallowing difficulties, the firm texture needs particular attention.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the sugar content of similar types of toast. Then decide whether flavour, other nutritional values, or an allergy or texture concern matters most for the person eating it.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Total sugars Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g across similar types of toast. Check added sugars separately if they’re listed. If I’m mainly looking for less sugar, I want to know how much total sugar a comparable toast contains. Around 36% of consumers give this comparison top priority.
Neutral flavour Check whether the variety is plain and which herbs or seeds are listed in the ingredients. A strong-flavoured toast won’t help if the person leaves it uneaten. For around 29% of consumers, whether the flavour is accepted matters most.
Salt and fibre Compare the salt and fibre per 100 g with the sugar content; consider a portion as part of the rest of the meal. When several types of toast suit the person’s taste, I don’t want to choose based on sugar alone. Around 21% of consumers prioritise the balance of salt and fibre.
Allergens and texture Read the allergen information on the current packaging. If there are chewing or swallowing difficulties, bear the firm texture in mind. If there’s a relevant allergy or difficulty swallowing, I first need to know whether this toast is suitable. This check comes top of the list for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Looking only for the word ‘sugar’

    The ingredients list doesn’t tell you how much total sugar a toast contains per 100 g. And 0 g of added sugars isn’t the same as 0 g of total sugars.

    Use the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition information to make your comparison.

  • Taking a low sugar figure as the whole picture

    Types of toast can differ in salt and fibre even when their sugar content is similar. For example, Albert Heijn lists both AH Melba toast naturel and Van der Meulen Melba toast volkoren at 3,2 g sugars per 100 g, but their fibre contents are 3,9 g and 9,7 g per 100 g respectively.

    Compare the values that matter for the meal on the same basis, preferably per 100 g.

  • Assuming plain toast is allergen-free

    A neutral flavour tells you nothing about allergens. Ingredients and warnings vary between specific varieties.

    If you have a food allergy, check the current packaging every time, even if you’ve bought the product before.

  • Choosing firm toast despite swallowing difficulties

    Being a fussy eater and having swallowing difficulties are not the same thing. If someone often chokes or has difficulty swallowing, whether crunchy toast is suitable needs to be assessed individually.

    If you know someone has swallowing difficulties, don’t try firm toast as a solution without advice; speak to a doctor or healthcare professional.

Brands and product ranges compared

The figures below apply to the varieties named, not to a brand’s entire range. Check the packaging of the product you’ve chosen before buying.

Hollandia

Hollandia 100% Natural Toast is a simple variety of toast; Albert Heijn lists wheat flour and water as ingredients.

  • The listed nutritional values are 0,4 g sugars and 0,01 g salt per 100 g.
  • This variety contains wheat; a short ingredients list doesn’t automatically make a product suitable for someone with an allergy.

Albert Heijn

AH Melba toast naturel is a plain variety for anyone looking for toast with a milder flavour.

  • Albert Heijn lists 3,2 g sugars, 0 g added sugars and 3,9 g fibre per 100 g.
  • The variety lists 1,93 g salt per 100 g and contains, among other ingredients, cereals containing gluten and soya.

Van der Meulen

Van der Meulen Melba toast volkoren is another option if a wholemeal variety with seeds suits the person’s taste.

  • Albert Heijn lists 9,7 g fibre and 3,2 g sugars per 100 g for this variety.
  • The listed salt content is 1,9 g per 100 g; also check the allergens, including wheat, barley, rye, sesame and soya.

Jumbo

Jumbo Crunchy Toast with black olives and sun-dried tomato shows how a seasoned variety differs from plain toast.

  • Its strong flavour may be worth considering if the person enjoys these kinds of ingredients.
  • Jumbo lists 7,1 g sugars and 1,89 g salt per 100 g for this variety; don’t compare it directly with a plain variety.

Joybuy products for a neutral toast choice

This melba toast suits those looking for a neutral flavour. If you’re choosing based on sugar content, compare the nutrition information per 100 g on the packaging with that of other melba toasts.

Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g pack

Delverde Classic Melba Toast 100 g

The neutral flavour described may suit a fussy eater who prefers simple flavours.

This melba toast is firm and crunchy. If you have allergies, check the current packaging. If you know you have swallowing difficulties, seek individual advice before choosing firm toast.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘less sugar’ mean a toast contains little sugar?

Not unless you compare it with something else. Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g across similar types of toast; a claim that sugar has been reduced answers a different question from how much sugar the product contains.

Is 0 g of added sugars the same as 0 g of sugars?

No. Albert Heijn lists 0 g added sugars and 3,2 g total sugars per 100 g for AH Melba toast naturel. To compare the total amount, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure.

Should I check the salt content of toast for a child too?

Yes. As well as sugars, check the salt per 100 g and how much is eaten. The toast varieties mentioned have different salt contents, so a single sugar figure doesn’t tell you the whole nutritional story.

Does all toast contain iodine because of baker’s salt?

You can’t assume that. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use iodised baker’s salt. If iodine matters to your choice, check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer about the specific variety of toast.

Is crunchy toast suitable if you have swallowing difficulties?

Don’t choose firm toast if you have known swallowing difficulties without getting individual advice. Difficulty swallowing or regularly choking needs to be assessed by a doctor or healthcare professional, whether or not the person is also a fussy eater.