Who might each option suit?

Older adults who fancy something crunchy with their coffee

If you can chew comfortably and want a small, crunchy snack, thin sourdough toast or crackers may be worth considering. Whether the texture feels comfortable is a personal decision.

Older adults comparing wholegrains and fibre

If these qualities matter to you, sourdough crispbread is another option. Check the ingredients and fibre content of each product: the word ‘sourdough’ alone doesn’t tell you either of these things.

Older adults who may find chewing difficult

A dry mouth or sensitive gums can make eating more difficult, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. So consider not just the flavour, but also whether a hard, dry texture is comfortable to eat. If you have swallowing difficulties, seek professional advice on a suitable texture.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the comfort of the person who’ll be eating it. Then compare the grain base and nutritional information of products with a suitable texture.

Thin sourdough toast or crackers

When: if someone can chew comfortably and wants a thin, crunchy snack with their coffee.

Consider: thin doesn’t automatically mean wholegrain or high in fibre; even a thin product can feel dry or hard.

Wholegrain sourdough crispbread

When: if the person can chew comfortably and specifically wants to compare a wholegrain base.

Consider: the hard, brittle texture isn’t comfortable for everyone. Also compare the fibre and salt content of each product.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Chewing comfort Consider whether the hard, brittle texture suits your ability to chew. If you have swallowing difficulties, ask for advice on a suitable texture. I want something that’s comfortable to chew with my coffee, especially if my mouth feels dry; chewing comfort is the top priority for around 37% of consumers.
Wholegrains and fibre Read the ingredients list and compare fibre per 100 g or per serving. For a small coffee break, I want to know whether the grain base is genuinely wholegrain and how much fibre the product contains; nutritional value takes priority for around 36% of consumers.
Salt and ingredients Compare salt per 100 g and per serving. Check allergens, and ask what type of salt was used if iodine affects your choice. If I need to watch my salt intake or avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in my serving; checking the label is the top priority for around 27% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means wholegrain

    Sourdough describes how the dough rises, not how much wholemeal flour or fibre a product contains, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains.

    Check the types of flour in the ingredients list and compare the fibre content per 100 g in the nutritional information.

  • Assuming crunchy food is comfortable for everyone to eat

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a dry mouth and gum problems, among other things, can make chewing and swallowing more difficult. A hard cracker isn’t automatically a suitable choice.

    Go by how comfortable it is to chew, and seek professional advice about a suitable texture if there are swallowing difficulties.

  • Assuming the product name tells you whether it contains iodine

    The name ‘sourdough toast’ doesn’t tell you whether iodised baker’s salt was used to make it.

    Check the ingredients information or ask the baker or manufacturer what type of salt was used if this affects your choice.

  • Comparing salt content per 100 g only

    The amount someone eats, and any salty toppings, also affect how much salt they have during their coffee break.

    As well as checking the amount per 100 g, consider the portion you plan to serve and take the rest of the day’s meals into account.

Brands to compare

Wasa

Worth considering if you want to compare thin crackers and sourdough crispbread.

  • Albert Heijn describes Wasa Original Crisp as extra-thin and crunchy, and lists Wasa Sourdough Multigrain as a separate sourdough option.
  • Check the ingredients, fibre, salt content and texture of each variety. Features of one Wasa product don’t necessarily apply to another.

Leksands

Worth considering if you want to compare a specific wholegrain sourdough crispbread with thin toast.

  • Jumbo lists Leksands Sourdough Crispbread as containing 85% wholegrain rye flour, 21 g of fibre and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g.
  • These figures apply to this variety, not the whole brand. Bear in mind its hard texture, too, and check the allergen information on the packaging.

Jos Poell

Jos Poell Sourdough Toast is worth a look if you specifically want toast rather than crispbread; Albert Heijn lists this variety in its range.

  • The product name makes it clear which variety you’re comparing with crackers and crispbread.
  • If you’re choosing based on ingredients, nutritional value or allergens, check the latest packaging for this toast.

Sourdough crispbread at Joybuy

This product may suit you if you’re looking for a crunchy sourdough cracker to have with your coffee, provided the person eating it can chew the texture comfortably. Check the packaging and nutritional information if wholegrains, fibre, salt or ingredients are deciding factors.

Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers, 235 g pack

Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers, 235 g

An option for a crunchy coffee break if the person eating them can chew crackers comfortably. Compare the fibre and salt per 100 g in the nutritional information, and check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough toast suitable for every older adult?

No. The texture needs to suit the person, in particular. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that a dry mouth and gum problems, among other things, can make eating more difficult. If you have swallowing difficulties, seek professional advice before choosing hard toast.

Is sourdough toast automatically wholegrain and high in fibre?

No. Sourdough describes how the dough rises, not how much wholemeal flour or fibre it contains. Check the ingredients list and nutritional information for the specific variety.

Does sourdough toast always contain iodised baker’s salt?

You can’t tell from the name ‘sourdough toast’. Check the ingredients information or ask the baker or manufacturer what type of salt was used in the product.

How do I compare the salt in toast and crispbread?

Start by checking the salt content per 100 g, then consider how much you’ll actually serve. For comparison, Jumbo lists Leksands Sourdough Crispbread as containing 1.2 g of salt per 100 g; this figure applies to that variety only.

Is sourdough crispbread suitable if I need to avoid gluten?

Don’t assume so: according to the product information reviewed, Leksands Sourdough Crispbread contains gluten-containing cereals. For any other product, check the latest allergen information on the packaging separately.