Families with fussy eaters
If you want to serve a familiar toast base at the Sinterklaas arrival, choose plain Melba toast and offer the toppings separately. That way, guests can make their own combinations.
Who is each type of toast suitable for?
Hosts looking to offer a wholemeal option
If you want to serve wholemeal toast as well as plain toast, compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g. According to Albert Heijn, Van der Meulen Melba toast wholemeal contains 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
Households that need to check allergens
If anyone has a food allergy, check the packaging of every variety you choose. Read both the ingredients and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens before serving the toast.
What should you look for when choosing?
For the Sinterklaas arrival, first decide which taste preferences you want to cater for. Then check the nutritional information, allergens and pack size for each type of toast.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Familiar taste | Check whether you’re choosing a plain variety and how many individual packs the multipack contains. | If guests prefer to add their own toppings to a simple toast base, I want to be able to offer plain toast. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this familiar base. |
| Fibre and wholemeal | Check which type of flour appears first in the ingredients list and compare the fibre per 100 g. | I also want to serve a wholemeal option rather than relying on the word multigrain in the name. For around 30% of consumers, choosing a wholemeal option is the top priority. |
| Allergens | Check the current packaging for both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ information. | If someone at the table needs to avoid an allergen, I want to know what’s in each type of toast before serving it. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Suitable quantity | Compare the pack weight and, where stated, the number of individual packs. | For a small gathering, I don’t want to have lots of toast left over; for a larger table, there needs to be enough to share. Around 20% of consumers choose based primarily on finding a suitable quantity. |
Common mistakes when choosing toast
-
Confusing multigrain with wholemeal
A product made with several types of grain may still list wheat flour as its first ingredient. According to Albert Heijn, this is the case with Van der Meulen Melba Toast Luxe 7 granen, which has a stated fibre content of 6.7 g per 100 g.
If you’re choosing a wholemeal option, read the ingredients list and compare the fibre per 100 g of the specific varieties.
-
Relying on the name when checking for allergens
Plain and wholemeal do not indicate whether a product is suitable for someone with an allergy. Ingredients and warnings can vary between types of toast.
Keep the packaging nearby when serving and check both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ information for each variety.
-
Assuming a larger pack is always more convenient
If you have only a few guests or there are lots of other snacks on the table, you may end up with toast left over.
Choose the pack weight and number of packs to suit your gathering.
-
Assuming all toast is made with baker’s salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt in baking is not compulsory. So the product category alone won’t tell you whether it has been used.
If baker’s salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the toast packaging.
Brands and supermarket own-label options
Van der Meulen
Melba toast available in plain, wholemeal and multigrain varieties, among others.
- According to Albert Heijn, its wholemeal Melba toast contains 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Ingredients and allergens vary by variety, so check the label of the product you choose.
Albert Heijn
Supermarket own-label option, with AH Melba toast plain for a simple toast base.
- Albert Heijn states that this plain variety comes in a 240 g pack and contains 3.9 g of fibre per 100 g.
- If you have allergies, check the current packaging; the word plain does not tell you whether it is suitable.
Jumbo
Supermarket chain that lists Van der Meulen Melba toast in plain and wholemeal varieties, among others.
- Jumbo lists Van der Meulen Melba Volkoren Toast in a 120 g pack.
- Check which variety and pack size are right for your gathering.
Lidl
A supermarket option for Melba toast; Lidl lists the variety described in a 240 g pack, available in store.
- The stated pack weight can help you choose a suitable quantity.
- Read the label before assessing this variety for its ingredients, fibre or allergens.
ALDI
A supermarket option offering Sun Snacks Melba Toast Naturel in a 240 g pack, according to ALDI.
- The plain variety is a familiar type of toast to serve at a shared table.
- Check the packaging of this specific variety for nutritional information and allergens.
Toast products for sharing
These products give you a Melba toast and a Cracotte variety to serve with toppings on the side. If you’re considering Cracotte as a wholemeal option, don’t rely on the variety name alone: check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g on the packaging.
No image available
Crispy Melba Toast 240 g
Melba toast to serve with toppings on the side. The pack contains 240 g; check the ingredients and allergens on the label before serving.
No image available
Liga Cracotte High Fiber 250 g
A Cracotte variety to serve alongside Melba toast, with toppings on the side. The pack contains 250 g; compare the fibre per 100 g on the label and, if you have allergies, also check the information about milk ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain toast automatically wholemeal?
No. Multigrain means that several types of grain have been used; it doesn’t tell you which type of flour forms the base. According to Albert Heijn, wheat flour comes first in the ingredients list for Van der Meulen Melba Toast Luxe 7 granen, so check the fibre per 100 g as well.
Should I serve only plain toast for fussy children?
No. Plain Melba toast can be a familiar option, but you can also offer wholemeal toast and serve the toppings separately. That lets guests choose for themselves without expecting one type of toast to suit everyone.
Which allergens should I check in Melba toast?
Check the ingredients and allergen warnings for each variety. The product information reviewed mentions, among other things, cereals containing gluten, soya and sesame. If you have a food allergy, don’t rely on the words plain or wholemeal.
Does Dutch toast always contain baker’s salt?
No, you shouldn’t assume that it does. According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt in baking is not compulsory; check the ingredients list if this matters to your choice.