If fibre is your priority for a meal for one, compare wholemeal melba toast with plain varieties: Albert Heijn lists 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g for Van der Meulen wholemeal, compared with 3.9 g per 100 g for AH Melba toast plain. If you mainly want to open a small amount at a time, check whether the pack has smaller inner packs. For every variety, also check the salt content and allergens on the pack you buy.
If you use toast as the base for lunch or a light meal, its fibre content could influence your choice. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Van der Meulen Melba toast wholemeal contains 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g, while AH Melba toast plain contains 3.9 g per 100 g. Compare the nutritional information for the varieties you’re considering.
If you don’t eat toast every day, it’s worth looking for smaller inner packs. Albert Heijn lists AH Melba toast plain as containing twelve packs of six pieces, so you don’t have to open the whole outer pack at once.
If you’re watching your salt intake or need to avoid certain ingredients, consider the toast alongside your toppings. The varieties reviewed contain, among other things, cereals containing gluten or soya; some contain sesame or may contain it. So always read the allergen information on the current packaging.
First decide whether fibre, smaller amounts to open or ingredients matter most for your meal. Then compare the packaging and your chosen toppings.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre | Compare the fibre per 100 g in the toast varieties you’re considering; don’t rely on the word ‘wholemeal’ alone. | If toast is a regular lunch staple for me, I want to know how much fibre it contains. Around 33% of consumers say this fibre choice is their top priority. |
| Portions and storage | Check how many inner packs there are, the stated serving size and the storage advice after opening. | I only eat toast now and then and don’t want to open more than I need for each meal. For around 25% of consumers, practical portioning is the main consideration. |
| Allergens and salt | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, and compare the salt per 100 g; also consider your toppings. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or watch my salt intake, the whole meal needs to suit my needs. This is the first concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Quantity and availability | Compare the total weight with how much you use, and check where your preferred variety is available. | I want to buy a pack that suits how often I eat on my own, without leaving lots of toast unused. Around 17% of consumers put this practical buying choice first. |
Van der Meulen Melba toast wholemeal, as listed by Albert Heijn, contains wheat, barley, rye, sesame and soya. The word ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t mean you can avoid these ingredients.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you buy, even if you’ve had the same variety before.
Toppings such as cheese, cooked meats or spreads are also part of the meal. So comparing types of toast by their salt per 100 g won’t tell you everything about what you’re eating together.
If salt is a consideration for you, compare the nutritional information for both the toast and the toppings.
The fact that baker’s salt can be used in bakery products doesn’t tell you which salt is in a particular type of toast.
Check the packaging or ask the manufacturer which salt is used if this information matters to your purchase.
Melba toast in varieties including plain and wholemeal: check the exact variety if you’re paying attention to fibre or ingredients.
AH Melba toast plain is an option if you’re looking for a plain variety in smaller inner packs.
The Melba Toast Naturel listed by ALDI is a plain variety you can compare by packaging and ingredients.
Jumbo Knapperige Toast is a seasoned toast for anyone who also wants to take the flavour of the base into account.
Bolletje is a cracker alternative here for anyone who isn’t specifically looking for melba toast; crackers and toast are different types of product.
These products include rice toast and melba toast as a base for a meal for one, as well as a cracker alternative. Choose the product type first, then compare the packaging, nutritional information and allergens for the specific variety.
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Rice toast to consider if you’re looking for a small pack for your meal. The pack contains 65 g; check the current allergen information before choosing it.
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A cracker alternative if you don’t specifically want melba toast for your meal for one. The pack contains 250 g; compare the fibre content on the same basis in the nutritional information and check the allergens on the packaging.
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Melba toast to pair with the toppings for your meal. The pack contains 240 g; check whether that amount suits how much you use, and read the current allergen information.
No, you can’t tell from the word ‘wholemeal’. Van der Meulen Melba toast wholemeal, as listed by Albert Heijn, contains wheat, barley, rye, sesame and soya; always check the label on the exact pack.
Compare the grams of fibre per 100 g in the varieties you want to buy. Albert Heijn lists 9.7 g per 100 g for Van der Meulen Melba toast wholemeal and 3.9 g per 100 g for AH Melba toast plain; also take into account how much toast you eat when making your choice.
Follow the storage advice on your chosen pack and only open the amount you need. Albert Heijn advises storing its Melba toast plain in a sealed tin after opening.
Don’t assume it does: the salt used varies by product. Check the packaging or ask the manufacturer if this matters to your choice.
