For an everyday school lunch, brown or wholemeal bread is a better starting point than small, crisp pieces of toast; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends these types of bread for primary school children. If you’re looking for medium-sliced bread, check the packaging, as toast is a different type of product. If your child has allergies, always check the latest allergen information and take the school’s policies into account.
For an everyday school lunch, you’ll want bread you can pack, rather than just small, crisp pieces of toast. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends brown and wholemeal bread for primary school children.
If a child needs to avoid gluten, wheat or other allergens, the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging are what matter. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses the importance of checking labels when you have a food allergy.
Melba toast or crisp toast is suited to a small, dry snack alongside an everyday lunch. Bear in mind that these types of toast are not the same as medium-sliced bread.
First decide whether you’re looking for bread for an everyday lunch or small pieces of toast to have alongside it. Then check the slice thickness, the label and any school policies.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday lunch staple | Check that you’re buying brown or wholemeal bread and that it is actually medium-sliced. | If bread is going to be the main part of the school lunch, I want slices I can pack rather than small pieces of toast. Around 50% of consumers prioritise this as the basis of their lunch. |
| Gluten and other allergens | Check the current packaging to see which allergens the product contains or may contain; if necessary, check with the school. | If a child needs to avoid an allergen, I wouldn’t rely on the words ‘plain’ or ‘wholemeal’. Around 30% of consumers prioritise checking allergens. |
| Small, crunchy portions | Check the portion packaging and storage instructions; if you like, compare fibre and salt per 100 g on the label. | For a small snack, I’m looking for something dry and crunchy that I can pack, without mistaking it for an everyday sandwich. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
Melba toast and crisp toast are small toast products, while medium-sliced bread comes in slices for a lunchbox. Choosing based on the word ‘toast’ alone could therefore lead you to the wrong type of product.
Before buying, decide whether you need bread slices for lunch or toast to have alongside it; if you’re buying bread, check the stated slice thickness.
The melba toast varieties described contain cereals containing gluten; some varieties may also contain soya or sesame. So the product name alone isn’t a safe basis for choosing food for someone with an allergy.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information every time you buy. If you need a gluten-free product, make sure this is clearly stated on the packaging.
A crunchy texture or fibre content won’t tell you whether a toast product is suitable as the main part of lunch, or which allergens it contains.
Compare the product type and allergens first, then check the nutritional information, including fibre and salt per 100 g.
AH plain Melba toast is an example of small pieces of melba toast, not medium-sliced bread for lunch.
The wholemeal variety described is melba toast with sesame, intended for anyone specifically looking for small pieces of toast.
The crisp toast described is an option if you’re looking for toast rather than slices of bread.
Bolletje’s range includes products such as rusks, crackers and snacks; these are not necessarily alternatives to medium-sliced bread for lunch.
This round wholemeal loaf is an option if you’re looking for bread as the basis of lunch. If you want ready-sliced, medium-cut slices, check the slice thickness and any preparation needed separately.
An option if you want to make your own wholemeal bread slices for a school lunch. This round loaf weighs 550 g; allow time to defrost, bake, cool and slice it yourself. Check the latest allergen information if a child needs to avoid gluten, wheat or other allergens.
For an everyday bread-based lunch, don’t automatically choose small pieces of toast instead of bread slices. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends brown and wholemeal bread for primary school children; crisp toast is better suited as a small addition when that’s what you’re after.
Regular melba toast isn’t automatically gluten-free: the products described contain cereals containing gluten. If you need a gluten-free option, check the current packaging for a clear gluten-free label and also review the other allergen information.
Check the policies of your child’s school or after-school care if allergens or packed food are a consideration. Also read the product label so you know which ingredients and allergens are listed for that particular product.
Pack the toast and any moist toppings separately to keep it crunchy. Also follow the storage instructions on the packaging, especially once opened.
