Breakfast eaters who want to finish the pack
If you don’t eat toast every morning, check how much is in the pack and whether that quantity suits your needs. ALDI lists Sun Snacks Melba Toast Naturel in a 240 g pack.
Which option is right for you?
Breakfast eaters who prioritise wholegrains
If you often eat bread for breakfast, you can compare wholemeal bread and wholemeal Melba toast by checking the ingredients and nutritional information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists wholemeal bread as a source of fibre, vitamins and minerals.
Breakfast eaters who like to keep Melba toast in stock
If you want a dry, crisp product for several working days, check the storage instructions for after opening. Also check the allergens for each variety: the product information reviewed from Jumbo and Albert Heijn lists cereals containing gluten and, depending on the product, soya or sesame.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want a crisp toast or a slice of bread; then compare the pack size and the information on the label. The percentages below refer to consumers who prioritise one of these considerations for their weekday breakfast.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Check the net weight and choose an amount you can use. | If I don’t eat toast every day, I don’t want to choose a pack that’s too large for my needs. Around 25% of consumers prioritise a suitable pack size. |
| Wholegrains and fibre | Read the ingredients and compare fibre only when the nutritional information uses the same basis, such as per 100 g. | For a breakfast I eat often, I want to know whether my bread or toast is genuinely wholemeal. Around 25% of consumers say they prioritise this choice. |
| Storage and preparation | Check the storage instructions for after opening and whether the bread needs any preparation. | On working days, I want to be able to grab breakfast without much preparation and store the rest according to the instructions on the pack. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen statement for the variety you’ve chosen. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, I want to know what this particular variety contains before buying it. For around 25% of consumers, checking this is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming Melba toast is the same as wholemeal bread
Crisp Melba toast isn’t automatically wholemeal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says wholemeal bread contains fibre, vitamins and minerals; the ingredients in toast vary from product to product.
If you’re looking for a wholemeal option, check the description and ingredients on the specific pack. Choose Melba toast for what it is, rather than assuming it’s equivalent to wholemeal bread.
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Checking allergens only after buying
The product information reviewed from Jumbo and Albert Heijn lists wheat and barley in the Melba toasts; some varieties also list rye, soya or sesame.
If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the current allergen statement for the variety you want to buy.
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Assuming every shop has the same range
Albert Heijn marked AH BASIC Melba Toast as no longer in its range. Lidl says its fresh bread range can vary by store.
For a specific product, check whether it’s available at your chosen shop or through your chosen online shopping service.
Brands and shop ranges for reference
Sun Snacks (ALDI)
ALDI lists Sun Snacks Melba Toast Naturel in a 240 g pack.
- A specific Melba toast option to compare if you’re looking for a larger pack.
- Check the pack to see whether the ingredients suit your preferences; the product information doesn’t indicate that this variety is wholemeal.
Van der Meulen
Jumbo lists Van der Meulen Melba toast in plain and wholemeal varieties, in 120 g packs.
- The wholemeal variety lets you explore wholemeal Melba toast specifically.
- Jumbo lists wheat, barley, rye, sesame and soya as allergens for the wholemeal variety; check the current packaging.
Bolletje
Bolletje sells Meerzaden Ontbijtcrackers, a different type of product from Melba toast.
- Bolletje lists 49% wholemeal wheat flour, alongside seeds, in the ingredients of these breakfast crackers.
- The ingredients also include sesame; don’t compare breakfast crackers as though they were in the same product category as Melba toast.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn provides product information for toast and offers a range of wholemeal bread.
- Product information can help you check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for a specific variety.
- Albert Heijn marked AH BASIC Melba Toast as no longer in its range; check which products are currently available to choose from.
Lidl
Lidl lists 240 g Melba toast and also describes its fresh bread range.
- When you visit a store, you can look at both Melba toast and bread.
- Lidl lists Melba toast as an in-store product and says its fresh bread range can vary by store.
Products for different breakfast preferences
These Joybuy products include crisp crackers, crispbread and Melba toast, as well as bread for anyone who prefers a different breakfast base. Check the type of product and preparation needed to see what suits your morning routine.
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Wasa High-Fiber crackers, 300 g
A cracker option if you’re looking for a crisp breakfast base; these aren’t Melba toast.
300 g pack. If you need to avoid certain ingredients, check the ingredients and allergens on the pack.
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g'woon Wholemeal Crispbread, 375 g
Wholemeal crispbread for anyone looking for something crisp at breakfast instead of soft slices of bread.
375 g pack. Before use, read the storage and allergen information for this variety.
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Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g
A rye bread option if you’d rather have bread than crisp Melba toast for breakfast.
500 g pack. If you need to avoid cereals, check the current ingredients and allergen information.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
A wholemeal bread option if you prefer slices of bread to a crisp toast.
550 g loaf. For a weekday morning, bear in mind that according to the product information, this bread needs to be defrosted, baked and left to cool.
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Crispy Melba Toast, 240 g
Melba toast for anyone looking for a crisp breakfast base.
240 g pack. The ingredients information lists soya and possible traces of sesame, while another allergen statement contradicts this. If you have an allergy, check the current packaging before choosing this product.
Frequently asked questions
Is Melba toast the same as toast bread?
No. Melba toast is a dry, crisp product; toast bread is bread that you can toast. Choose the type of product that gives you the texture you want, and check separately whether the variety is wholemeal.
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No, the term multigrain doesn’t by itself mean that a loaf is wholemeal. Check the product name and ingredients if you specifically want wholemeal; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible.
How should I store opened Melba toast?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack of your Melba toast. Albert Heijn stated that AH BASIC Melba Toast should be kept in a sealed tin after opening.