Retirement households comparing pack sizes
If you buy toast regularly, you’ll want to choose a pack size that suits how much you use and can be stored somewhere dry.
Who are these considerations relevant to?
Toast eaters keeping an eye on fibre
If you’re weighing up plain and wholemeal varieties, you can compare fibre per 100 g without overlooking differences in salt and ingredients.
Shoppers who read labels carefully
If you have questions about salt, allergens or iodine, the ingredients and nutritional information on the current pack are what matter; the product name alone won’t tell you.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with a pack size you can finish. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients of the varieties you’re considering.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who might this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Compare the net weight with how much you use, and read the storage instructions. | If I only eat a little toast at a time, I want to be able to finish a pack while the toast stays crisp. For around 34% of consumers, choosing a suitable pack size comes first. |
| Fibre and grain type | Compare fibre per 100 g and check which grain ingredients have been used. | If toast is a regular part of my routine, I want to be able to assess the difference between plain and wholemeal. Around 33% of consumers give fibre top priority. |
| Salt and ingredients | Check the salt content, ingredients and allergen information, including whether baker’s salt matters to your choice. | If I need to keep an eye on certain ingredients or salt levels, I want to rely on the label rather than the name of the toast. Checking the label comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
For the Van der Meulen packs we found, Jumbo lists 9.7 g of fibre and 1.9 g of salt per 100 g for Melba Wholemeal Toast. Melba Toast Plain lists 3.9 g of fibre and 1.3 g of salt per 100 g. The wholemeal variety also lists sesame. These figures apply to the specific varieties, not to all wholemeal or plain toast.
Common misconceptions
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Wholemeal doesn’t automatically mean less salt
According to Jumbo, the Van der Meulen wholemeal Melba toast we found contains more fibre, but also more salt per 100 g than the plain variety we found. The wholemeal variety also lists sesame.
For these varieties, compare both fibre and salt per 100 g, and check the allergen information on the pack.
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Not all toast contains baker’s salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell from the product category alone whether iodised salt has been used.
Check the ingredients list if the presence of baker’s salt matters to your choice.
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A product page doesn’t mean you can order online
Lidl lists its 240 g Melba toast as available in store only.
Check availability before making a special trip to the shop for a particular product.
Brands and shops to explore
Sun Snacks
ALDI lists Sun Snacks Melba toast in a 240 g pack.
- The pack size listed can help you choose an amount to suit how much you use.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack before comparing this variety with other toast.
Van der Meulen
Jumbo lists Melba Toast Plain and Melba Wholemeal Toast, both in 120 g packs.
- The fibre figures listed make it possible to compare the two varieties: 3.9 g per 100 g for plain and 9.7 g per 100 g for wholemeal.
- The wholemeal variety lists more salt per 100 g than the plain one and contains sesame; check the current pack if this affects your choice.
Lidl Melba toast
A 240 g pack of Melba toast that Lidl lists as available in store only.
- The pack size listed is 240 g.
- Check the nutritional information and ingredients on the pack in store.
Melba toast on Joybuy
These 100 g and 240 g packs of Melba toast are options to compare by pack size and label. Choose a size that suits how much you use, and check the current product information for ingredients and nutritional values.
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Delverde Classic Melba Toast 100 g
A size to consider if you find it easier to finish a 100 g pack. Check the label for fibre and salt, and whether iodised salt has been used if that matters to your choice.
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Crispy Melba Toast 240 g
A size to consider if you can finish 240 g of toast while it stays crisp. Check the allergens on the current pack, and only compare fibre figures once it’s clear what quantity they refer to.
Frequently asked questions
Is a larger pack of Melba toast always more convenient?
No. A larger pack is most practical if you can store the toast somewhere dry and finish it while it stays crisp. Choose a pack size that suits how much you usually use.
Which of the Van der Meulen varieties we found lists more fibre?
According to Jumbo, Van der Meulen Melba Wholemeal Toast lists 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g, compared with 3.9 g per 100 g for Melba Toast Plain. Check the salt content and allergens too: the wholemeal variety lists more salt per 100 g and contains sesame.
Does Melba toast always contain iodine from baker’s salt?
No, you can’t tell from the name Melba toast. The Voedingscentrum says bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt, so check the product’s ingredients list.
How do I compare the salt content of plain and wholemeal Melba toast?
Compare the same quantity, such as per 100 g. For the packs we found, Jumbo lists 1.3 g of salt per 100 g for Van der Meulen Melba Toast Plain and 1.9 g per 100 g for Melba Wholemeal Toast. How much salt you consume also depends on how much you eat and what you put on it.
Can I order Lidl Melba toast online?
Lidl lists its 240 g Melba toast as available in store only. If you’re considering this pack, check availability and the label in store.