Which type of toast is right for you?

Tea-time snackers keeping an eye on fibre

You’re looking for a crunchy toast to serve with toppings or a dip, and want to know whether it’s made with wholegrains. Check the first ingredients listed and the fibre content per 100 g on the pack.

Fussy eaters looking for a middle ground

You don’t want wheat flour to be the only grain base, but you’re not necessarily looking for a fully wholegrain product either. For multigrain Melba toast, the ingredients list shows which flour and wholemeal flour have been used.

Shoppers with specific ingredient requirements

If you need to avoid certain grains or other ingredients, choosing between wholegrain, multigrain and plain isn’t enough. Check the allergens and any precautionary warnings on the current packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want a wholegrain base, a blend or a plain toast. Then use the ingredients list and nutritional information to compare products per 100 g.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Grain base and fibre Check whether wholemeal flour is the main ingredient and whether wheat flour has also been added. Compare fibre per 100 g. I want to know whether I’m choosing a wholegrain base for my tea-time toast, rather than relying on the name alone. For around 40% of consumers, the grain base and fibre information would be the top priority when buying.
White and wholegrain flour blend Check the proportions shown on the label: according to Jumbo, Van der Meulen’s multigrain Melba toast contains 45% wholemeal wheat flour as well as wheat flour. A blend appeals to me if I don’t want a white flour base alone, but I’m not looking for a fully wholegrain option either. This kind of compromise would be the main consideration for around 30% of consumers.
Allergens Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about traces on the pack you choose. I need to be able to see which grains and other allergens are in my toast; the words wholegrain or plain don’t tell me that. For around 20% of consumers, checking the ingredients would be the main concern.
Salt and portion size Compare salt per 100 g and consider how many pieces of toast you’ll serve, especially if you’re adding toppings or a dip. When serving a platter of toast, I want to be able to assess the salt content alongside the portion size. This would be the biggest consideration for around 10% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming multigrain means fully wholegrain

    Multigrain Melba toast may also contain wheat flour. According to Jumbo, Van der Meulen’s option contains 45% wholemeal wheat flour as well as wheat flour.

    If you’re looking for a wholegrain base, check the first ingredients listed. Don’t rely on the word multigrain instead of checking.

  • Assuming all toast contains baker’s salt

    Not every bakery product is made with baker’s salt. Voedingscentrum says that using it is not compulsory.

    If you want to know whether a particular toast contains baker’s salt, check the ingredients on the pack.

  • Judging allergens by the type of toast

    The wholegrain, multigrain and plain Melba toasts examined all contain allergens. A wholegrain base or a neutral flavour doesn’t tell you whether a product meets specific ingredient requirements.

    Check the current allergen information and any warnings about traces. If you need a gluten-free product, look for an explicit gluten-free label.

  • Looking only at the size of each piece of toast

    A small piece of toast doesn’t automatically tell you how much salt is in the whole portion. According to Albert Heijn and Jumbo, the options examined have different salt levels per 100 g.

    Compare the nutritional information on the same basis, and take into account the number of pieces and the toppings you’re serving.

Brands to consider

Van der Meulen

Worth considering if you want to choose between a wholegrain base and a multigrain blend in Melba toast.

  • According to the product information on Albert Heijn, the wholegrain option examined contains 9,7 g of fibre per 100 g. Jumbo says its multigrain option contains 45% wholemeal wheat flour as well as wheat flour.
  • Here, multigrain doesn’t mean fully wholegrain. Check the allergens and salt content on the pack for both options.

Albert Heijn

The AH Melba toast plain option examined is a good choice if you’re looking for a neutral base for toppings.

  • Albert Heijn lists wheat flour as an ingredient and says the pack contains 12 packets of 6 pieces of toast.
  • The product information lists 3,9 g of fibre and 1,93 g of salt per 100 g, as well as cereals containing gluten and soya as allergens.

Delverde

The Delverde Classic Melba Toast examined is a classic wheat-flour-based option.

  • Joybuy’s product information lists wheat flour, yeast and malt extract among the ingredients.
  • This is not a confirmed wholegrain or gluten-free option. Check the current pack for allergens and precautionary warnings about traces.

Toast products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain Melba toast automatically wholegrain?

No. Multigrain doesn’t mean the entire grain base is wholegrain. According to Jumbo, Van der Meulen’s multigrain Melba toast contains 45% wholemeal wheat flour as well as wheat flour. Check the ingredients of the option you’re planning to buy.

Can I assume toast is made with baker’s salt?

No, you can’t assume that for every toast product. Voedingscentrum says that using baker’s salt is not compulsory. If this matters to you, check the ingredients list on the pack.

Is regular wholegrain Melba toast gluten-free?

Calling it wholegrain doesn’t make Melba toast gluten-free. According to Albert Heijn, the wholegrain option examined contains wheat. Voedingscentrum says that an explicit gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol can help you identify gluten-free products.

How should I store Melba toast after opening?

Seal the pack tightly after opening and follow the storage instructions for the option you’ve chosen. Joybuy’s product information for Delverde Classic Melba Toast recommends storing it in a cool, dry place in a tightly closed pack.