Sliced Bread or Melba Toast for a Quick Breakfast?

Which type of product is right for you?

Busy everyday bread eaters

You want to make a sandwich without any extra preparation. In that case, sliced everyday bread is the type of product to look for. Just check that the slices are right for how you plan to use the bread.

Shoppers keeping an eye on fibre

When comparing bread for your everyday breakfast, check whether it’s labelled wholemeal and compare the stated fibre content per 100 g. According to the Voedingscentrum, brown bread isn’t automatically wholemeal bread.

Fans of small, crunchy portions

You’re looking for crunchy toast you can eat straight away, perhaps with a light topping or to take with you. Melba toast is a different size from an ordinary slice of bread.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want a sandwich or small, crunchy pieces of toast. Then compare the type of bread and the information on the label.

What to consider	What to check when buying	Who it matters to
Type of bread and fibre	Check whether it’s labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre content per 100 g across similar products. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, while brown bread is a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour.	If I often have bread for breakfast, I want to know what I’m buying when it’s labelled wholemeal and how much fibre the product contains. This is said to be the top purchasing priority for around 30% of consumers.
Size and suitability for toppings	Check whether you’re buying sliced bread or melba toast. For bread, check that the slices are the thickness you want.	When I’m out and about, I want to be able to add my usual sandwich filling to a slice of bread, or take a small, crunchy piece of toast with me instead. This practical choice of product is said to come first for around 50% of consumers.
Ingredients and labelling	Read the allergen information and compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion. Check the ingredients list to see whether baker’s salt has been used.	When ingredients or allergens determine my choice, I want to be able to check the label before buying. For around 20% of consumers, this is said to be the main priority.

Common mistakes

Mistaking melba toast for sliced breakfast bread

Melba toast consists of small, thin pieces of toast. It’s a different type of product from an ordinary slice of bread, with a different surface area for toppings.

Choose according to what you want to top: a slice of bread for your usual sandwich filling, or pieces of toast for small portions with a light topping.
Confusing brown or seeded bread with wholemeal

A dark colour or the presence of seeds doesn’t mean that bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. The Voedingscentrum distinguishes wholemeal bread from brown bread, which is a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour.

If wholemeal is important to you, look for the wholemeal label on the packaging and, if necessary, compare the stated fibre content per 100 g.
Assuming all bread contains baker’s salt

According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether a product contains it from its name alone.

Check the ingredients list or ask the baker if this information is relevant to your choice.
Looking only at the amount per piece of toast

A small piece of toast and a slice of bread are different portion sizes. Comparing nutritional values is easier when you look at both the figures per 100 g and the amount you actually eat.

Also check the current ingredients and allergen information for the specific product; don’t rely on the details for a different variety.

Brands and shops to explore

Albert Heijn

A place to browse sliced bread and individual melba toast products online.

Albert Heijn lists sliced bread in its bread category, as well as individual melba toast product pages with ingredients and nutritional information.
For each loaf, check the packaging to see whether the slices are the thickness you want.

Jumbo

A place to compare types of bread, such as wholemeal, brown and white.

Jumbo’s bread category distinguishes between different types of bread.
The type of bread alone doesn’t tell you the exact slice thickness, so check the product you choose.

Lidl

A place to browse freshly baked and packaged bread.

Lidl describes a range of different types of bread in its selection.
Lidl says its range may vary by store. Check locally to see which sliced breads are available.

ALDI

A place to shop for bread and other breakfast products.

ALDI lists bread and bakery products as part of its range.
Check the label on the bread you choose for the type of bread, ingredients and slice thickness.

Bolletje

A brand to explore if you’re considering a crunchy breakfast product such as breakfast crackers. Breakfast crackers are neither sliced bread nor melba toast.

Bolletje lists ingredients and allergens in the product information for its Ontbijtcrackers Meerzaden.
This product won’t help you find out whether a loaf has the medium slice thickness you want.

Bread products on Joybuy

These products are worth considering if you’re looking for a bread product for a quick breakfast. For both, check that the format and slice thickness you receive are right for the sandwich you want to make.

TastyBasics Rustic Bread, 5 pieces

A bread product for anyone looking to put together a quick breakfast. Check that the portions are the thickness you want. The product name specifies a pack of 5 pieces.

View on Joybuy

Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g

If you’re considering a rye bread product for breakfast, check before buying whether the product you receive is a bun or sliced bread, and whether it suits your toppings. The product name specifies 500 g.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is iodised baker’s salt compulsory in Dutch bread?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. If you want to know whether a particular loaf contains it, check the ingredients list or ask the baker.

Is brown bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, while brown bread is a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour. If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread, check the label.

Can I have melba toast instead of an ordinary breakfast sandwich?

Yes, if you want small, crunchy pieces of toast with a light topping. Melba toast isn’t the same size as an ordinary slice of bread. Choose the product format according to the portion and topping you want to take with you.

Which allergens should I check in toast and other crunchy breakfast products?

Read the allergen information on the current packaging of the specific product. For its Ontbijtcrackers Meerzaden, Bolletje lists allergens including cereals containing gluten and sesame. These are breakfast crackers, and that information doesn’t automatically apply to a different toast product.