Parents who want to serve wholemeal
You’re looking for toast labelled as wholemeal, and want to be able to check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack too.
Who is this choice for?
Parents of fussy eaters
You want to cater for children who prefer a familiar type of toast, while still offering a wholemeal option to the rest of the group.
Organisers managing dietary requirements
You’re serving snacks to several children and want to find out in advance about any allergies or other dietary requirements. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises asking about these.
What should you look for when buying?
Wholemeal toast only
A good fit if: the children are happy to eat wholemeal toast and a wholegrain base is your priority.
Consider: ‘multigrain’ doesn’t mean the same as ‘wholemeal’; check the allergens in your chosen product too.
Plain toast only
A good fit if: a familiar option for fussy eaters is your main priority.
Consider: plain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal or allergen-free.
Wholemeal and plain, served separately
A good fit if: you want a mixed group to choose between two clearly distinguishable types of toast.
Consider: two bowls mean checking the ingredients separately and paying attention to the toppings on both.
Decide which toast options are right for the children, ask about dietary requirements, then compare packs to make sure you have enough.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain base | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and read the ingredients; don’t assume ‘multigrain’ means the same thing. | If I want to serve wholemeal toast, that needs to be clear on the pack. This is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Choice for fussy eaters | Check the variety, shape and any seeds; consider serving plain and wholemeal toast in separate bowls. | When children have different preferences, I don’t want to limit everyone to one type of toast. Around 30% of consumers put this choice first. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Ask about requirements in advance, then check the ingredients and allergen information on the packs you buy. | When I’m catering for a group of children, I want to know which snacks are suitable for each of them. This is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Portions and packaging | Compare the net weight and, if stated, the number of pieces or individual packs. | I want to prepare enough snacks without having lots left over. The quantity needed is the first consideration for around 10% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’
Using several types of grain doesn’t automatically make a piece of toast wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product can only be called ‘wholemeal’ if it is made entirely from wholemeal flour.
Use the product description as your first guide, then read the ingredients list.
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Serving wholemeal toast without checking for allergies
Ingredients vary between products. Albert Heijn lists wheat and sesame, among other ingredients, in Van der Meulen Melba Toast Wholemeal; this information doesn’t necessarily apply to other types of toast.
Ask about allergies before the party, check the current label and keep the packaging to hand while serving the snacks.
Brands and shops compared
These product ranges and shop selections give you a starting point for comparing plain and wholemeal options. Always check the specific pack.
Van der Meulen / Melba
The Melba range includes plain and wholemeal toast to compare.
- Jumbo lists both varieties in 120 g packs.
- The ingredients and allergens in the wholemeal variety don’t necessarily apply to the plain variety or the rest of the range.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s range includes its own-brand plain Melba toast.
- An own-brand option gives you another pack to compare with other plain varieties.
- Albert Heijn says that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information may change, so check the current label.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists several Van der Meulen Melba toast varieties, including plain, wholemeal and round options.
- The listed 120 g packs and a 90 g round variety let you compare the shape and quantity.
- A different shape or pack weight doesn’t, by itself, tell you anything about the nutritional value or allergens.
ALDI / Sun Snacks
ALDI lists plain and wholemeal options; Sun Snacks Toast Cups Naturel is a separate plain variety.
- ALDI lists the Toast Cups Naturel in a 100 g pack.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety before choosing toast for a group of children.
Lidl / Tastino
Lidl lists Tastino Luxe Crackers Volkoren as a crisp alternative to consider separately.
- The listed pack contains 210 g of crackers.
- Crackers aren’t automatically a like-for-like replacement for Melba toast. If you’re considering this option, compare the shape, ingredients and label.
Melba toast on Joybuy
You can consider these Melba toast products as separate options alongside a wholemeal variety of your choice. Check the pack to see which grain description and allergens apply to the specific product.
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Delverde Classic Melba Toast 100 g
Consider this Melba toast if you’d like to put together a second bowl alongside a wholemeal option. The pack contains 100 g; check the label for the grain description, allergens and number of pieces. Supervise young children while they’re eating hard, crunchy toast.
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Conimex Delverde Melba Toast Round 100 g
Compare this round Melba toast if presentation matters for your party snacks. The pack contains 100 g; check the label for the grain description, allergens and number of pieces. Supervise young children while they’re eating hard, crunchy toast.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain toast the same as wholemeal toast?
No. ‘Multigrain’ means that several types of grain have been used; it doesn’t mean the product is made entirely from wholemeal flour. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, it’s the latter that determines whether a product can be labelled ‘wholemeal’.
Should I ask about allergies before a children’s party?
Yes. Ask in advance about any allergies or other dietary requirements the children may have. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends doing this when preparing party treats for children; then check the labels on the products you actually buy.
What allergens can toast contain?
It varies by product. Check the pack for cereals containing gluten and any other allergens, among other things. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on the labels of prepacked foods. Don’t assume the ingredients are the same as those in another variety.
How do I work out how much toast I need?
Base it on the number of children and whether the toast is one of several snacks. Then compare the net weight and the number of pieces or individual packs, if this information is shown on the packaging.