If you’re looking for a lunch staple for toddlers and young children, start with wholemeal or brown bread: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends these types of bread for children aged 1 to 3. The Melba toast reviewed is thin and crisp, rather than confirmed as thick-cut. Whatever you choose, check the latest allergen information and make sure the texture is suitable for the children and the setting’s serving guidelines.
Looking for a lunch staple that can be served in child-sized portions. For children aged 1 to 3, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread as relevant options to consider alongside toast.
Needs to check the ingredients on the exact pack against the children’s requirements. For the Van der Meulen Melba varieties reviewed, Jumbo lists cereals containing gluten; some varieties also contain soya or sesame.
Looking for a crisp base for toppings or a dip, without automatically treating it as a complete lunch staple. The Van der Meulen Melba varieties described by Jumbo are thin and crisp, making them different from thick-cut toast.
First decide whether the product is meant to be the basis of the lunch or an additional snack. Then check the allergens on each pack, and consider the preferred slice thickness and texture for each group.
Choose this when: you’re looking for a bread-based lunch for children aged 1 to 3; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread for this age group.
Bear in mind: bread isn’t automatically thick-cut or crisp, so consider the serving style you want separately.
Choose this when: you’re looking for a thin, crisp piece of toast to top or serve with a dip as an additional snack, such as the Van der Meulen varieties reviewed and described by Jumbo.
Bear in mind: these varieties aren’t thick-cut and may contain allergens that vary between varieties.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and setting requirements | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack, and compare them with the children’s requirements. | When I’m packing food for a group, I want to avoid an ingredient conflicting with an individual requirement. Allergen checks are the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Bread as a lunch staple | Check whether it’s wholemeal or brown bread; compare nutritional information, including fibre and salt, on the same basis, for example per 100 g. | For a regular lunch, I want to choose a type of bread that suits the age group, not just a sturdy piece of toast. Around 33% of consumers give this lunch staple top priority. |
| Slice thickness and texture | Look for an explicit indication of slice thickness and check whether the product is hard and thin or thick-cut. | For a snack that can be topped, I’m looking for a shape that suits the way it will be served and the group’s eating skills. This texture is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Jumbo describes the Van der Meulen Melba varieties reviewed as thin and crisp. Being suitable for toppings doesn’t make them thick slices for lunch.
If slice thickness is essential, check that the exact product is explicitly described as ‘thick-cut’.
The Melba varieties reviewed contain cereals with gluten; depending on the variety, Jumbo also lists soya or sesame.
Check the label on the variety you’ve bought and compare it with the setting’s individual allergy requirements.
The fact that you can top a piece of toast says nothing on its own about the nutritional information for the whole lunch. For children aged 1 to 3, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread.
Consider toast as part of the planned snack or meal, and choose the lunch staple separately.
A range of thin, crisp toasts; Jumbo features plain and multigrain varieties, among others.
Bolletje sells rusks and crackers, among other products: different options to compare if you’re looking for something crisp.
Albert Heijn features a product page for AH Melba Toast Naturel.
Jumbo provides product information for Van der Meulen Melba toast and also has a page for its own Melba variety.
This product is a wholemeal bread option for a lunch staple, not confirmed thick-cut toast. When choosing it, consider how it needs to be prepared before slicing and serving.
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A wholemeal bread option if you’re looking for a lunch staple rather than a crisp piece of Melba toast.
This bread needs to be defrosted and baked, then left to cool before slicing. It isn’t confirmed as thick-cut, so check that the slices are the thickness you want when serving.
Check the current packaging for wheat and gluten, and make sure the product meets the setting’s allergy requirements.
No. Thickness alone doesn’t determine whether it’s suitable. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread for children aged 1 to 3; for toast products, also consider the ingredients, nutritional information, allergens and serving style for the group.
You can’t assume this is the case for every Melba toast product. The Van der Meulen Naturel, Meergranen and Volkoren varieties reviewed contain cereals with gluten; check the label of the exact variety you’re buying.
Check the packaging of the product you intend to serve and compare the ingredients with the individual requirements and the setting’s policy. Don’t rely solely on an earlier pack or the brand name.
Check the ingredients list on packaged bread or ask the baker. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that bread made with iodised baker’s salt can contribute to your iodine intake, but don’t assume the same salt is used in every loaf.
