Who is this relevant to?

For a meal for one, it makes a difference whether you can take just a small amount, which type of grain you choose and what the label says.

If you don’t eat much toast at a time

You want to have a few pieces of toast and keep the rest sealed and dry. Small packs or a stated portion size can help you work out how much to open for one meal.

If you’re comparing sesame, wholemeal and fibre

You’re looking for the texture of sesame, but you also want to know which type of grain has been used and how much fibre the toast contains. The amount of sesame alone won’t tell you that.

If you’re considering ingredients and salt

You’re checking which allergens are present or comparing the salt content of toast you plan to use in the same way. Check the current packaging, even if you’ve bought the product before.

What should you look for?

Start with the amount you want to open for one meal. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g and read the ingredients list for the version you’re considering.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Portions and storage Check how many packs there are or the stated portion size, and follow the storage advice once opened. If I only need a few pieces of toast, I want to be able to keep the rest sealed for another meal. Around 42% of consumers prioritise portions and storage.
Fibre and wholemeal Look for wholemeal flour in the ingredients list and compare the fibre per 100 g with the amount you eat. For a crisp sesame base, I also want to know whether the toast is made with wholemeal flour and how much fibre my portion contains. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this comparison.
Ingredients and salt Read the current allergen information, including any possible traces, and compare the salt per 100 g. If I need to avoid certain ingredients or want to take salt into account, I can’t rely on the product name alone. Ingredients and salt are the main consideration for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘with seeds’ means wholemeal

    Sesame on toast doesn’t tell you which type of flour it’s made with. According to product information from Albert Heijn, regular Van der Meulen Melba toast with sesame contains 5 g of fibre per 100 g, while the wholemeal version contains 9.7 g per 100 g.

    Check the type of flour in the ingredients list and compare the fibre per 100 g as well as for the amount you eat.

  • Treating a fibre claim as the whole picture

    A fibre claim doesn’t tell you how much fibre you’ll get in a typical portion or how much salt the toast contains too. The Consumentenbond points out that this can make a fibre claim give an overly positive impression.

    Read the full nutrition table and factor in both the amount of toast and your chosen topping when making a comparison.

  • Checking allergens only after buying

    The sesame toasts discussed here contain wheat and sesame. Depending on the product, other allergens may also be present or listed as possible traces.

    Before buying, check the current ingredients list and the ‘may contain’ statement. Don’t rely solely on the product name or a previous pack.

  • Assuming salt on the label means it contains iodine

    The word ‘salt’ doesn’t confirm that the toast is made with iodised baker’s salt. According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt in bread is not compulsory.

    If you want to know whether a specific toast contains iodised baker’s salt, look for an explicit statement on the product.

Brands and ranges to consider

The differences below relate to the products or product types mentioned, not every item from each brand.

Van der Meulen

Offers regular sesame Melba toast in small packs, as well as a separate wholemeal version.

  • According to product information from Albert Heijn, the regular sesame version contains 6 packs of 6 pieces of toast and lists 5 g of fibre and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The wholemeal version lists 9.7 g of fibre, but also 1.9 g of salt per 100 g. Compare both figures if wholemeal is the deciding factor for you.

Jos Poell

Toast sesame is an option if you’re specifically looking for sesame toast rather than Melba toast in small packs.

  • Product information from Albert Heijn states that Jos Poell Toast sesame contains 11% sesame seeds.
  • The label also lists 1.5 g of salt per 100 g, wheat and sesame, and possible traces of egg, soya and milk.

AH Biologisch

The Melba toast with sesame seeds has a stated portion size of 20 g, which can help you work out how much to have at one sitting.

  • According to product information from Albert Heijn, the pack contains 5 portions; the product lists 5.2 g of fibre and 1.1 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The organic and vegan labels don’t remove the need to read the ingredients: the product contains, among other things, wheat, sesame, barley and soya.

Bolletje

The range includes seed crackers and sesame crispbread for anyone considering a different crunchy base.

  • Bolletje lists these product types in its range; they offer an alternative to Melba toast.
  • Don’t compare crackers or crispbread as if they were the same product type as sesame Melba toast. Check the portions, ingredients and nutritional information on each pack.

Sesame crackers as an alternative at Joybuy

These two products are crunchy sesame crackers that you could use as a base for toppings. They’re not sesame Melba toasts, so check the packaging carefully if you only want to open a small amount for one person.

Wasa Thin Crisp Sesame, 190 g pack

Wasa Thin Crisp Sesame, 190 g

A sesame cracker to consider if you’d prefer a crunchy base with toppings for your meal rather than Melba toast.

The pack contains 190 g. Check the portion size, nutritional information and current label if the amount per meal or allergens are important to your choice.

View at Joybuy
Bolletje Sesame Bagel Crackers, 225 g pack

Bolletje Sesame Bagel Crackers, 225 g

A sesame bagel cracker for anyone looking for a cracker alternative to top with fillings; it’s not the same product type as Melba toast.

The pack contains 225 g. Before buying, compare the portion size, nutritional information and ingredients with the amount you plan to have for one meal.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Which sesame toast is handy if I’m eating on my own?

It mainly depends on how much you want to open at once. According to product information from Albert Heijn, Van der Meulen Melba toast with sesame comes in 6 packs of 6 pieces of toast; AH Biologisch Melba toast with sesame seeds lists a 20 g portion and 5 portions per pack. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the version you choose.

Does sesame on toast mean it’s wholemeal?

No. Sesame and wholemeal refer to different ingredients. Check whether wholemeal flour is listed in the ingredients and compare the fibre per 100 g; a sesame topping alone doesn’t indicate the fibre content.

Which allergens should I check in sesame toast?

At the very least, check for sesame and gluten-containing cereals, then read the full current label. The toast products mentioned contain wheat and sesame; other allergens or possible traces may also be listed, depending on the version.

Can I count sesame toast with salt as a source of iodine?

Not based on the word ‘salt’ alone. The Voedingscentrum says that bread made with iodised baker’s salt can be a source of iodine, but using baker’s salt is not compulsory. Look for an explicit statement on the product to check a specific type of toast.

How should I store toast after opening?

Follow the storage advice on the pack and seal any opened toast carefully. For the products mentioned, Van der Meulen and Jos Poell recommend storing them in a cool, dry place; AH Biologisch recommends keeping the toast in a sealed container after opening.