Choose wholemeal toast if a fully wholemeal base and fibre content are your priorities. Multigrain toast with a stated proportion of wholemeal flour could be a stepping stone for a fussy eater, while plain toast is a good fit when a neutral base matters more. Compare the fibre per 100 g and check the ingredients and allergens, as multigrain does not automatically mean fully wholemeal.
You want toast as a snack and are comparing the grain base and fibre content. Check the product name, ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g rather than judging by the colour of the toast alone.
Plain toast is familiar, but you’d also like to consider an option made with wholemeal flour. For multigrain toast, check how much wholemeal flour it contains; the name alone won’t tell you.
Ingredients vary between options. Before buying and eating the product, check the latest ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging, even if you’ve bought it before.
When choosing toast for a morning snack, first decide whether the grain base, an accessible flavour, allergens or the packaging matters most to you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutrition table. | If I want fully wholemeal toast, I look beyond a dark colour or seeds on the packaging. For around 36% of consumers, the wholemeal base and fibre content are the top priorities. |
| Flavour and a stepping stone | For multigrain toast, check the proportion of wholemeal flour and which other types of flour are used. | For a fussy eater, I want to choose toast that sits somewhere between plain and fully wholemeal. A gradual change in flavour is the deciding factor for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the latest packaging for both the listed allergens and any warnings about possible traces. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, this particular option must meet my requirements. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Portions and storage | Check how the product is packaged and the storage instructions after opening. | If I want to take toast with me or spread a pack over several snack breaks, how practical the packaging is matters. It’s the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Multigrain toast may also contain white flour. For example, the Van der Meulen Melba Meergranen Toast described by Jumbo contains 45% wholemeal wheat flour as well as wheat flour.
Look for the wholemeal label if you want a fully wholemeal base. Otherwise, compare the proportion of wholemeal flour and the fibre per 100 g.
A simple product name doesn’t tell you which grains or other allergens the toast contains. The ingredients and allergens differ between the Melba options reviewed.
Always check the latest packaging, including any warnings about possible traces of allergens.
The type of salt used can vary from product to product. So a general reference to baker’s salt doesn’t tell you what’s in the toast you’re buying.
Check the ingredients list for the specific product if the type of salt used matters to your choice.
If you don’t finish a pack of toast in one go, the storage instructions also matter for keeping it crisp.
Choose packaging that suits how much you use and follow the storage instructions on the label after opening. Albert Heijn recommends keeping AH Melba Toast Naturel in a sealed tin.
If opened toast goes soft before you finish the pack, you may end up leaving some uneaten.
A brand with separate plain, multigrain and wholemeal options in its Melba toast range.
An own-brand option if plain Melba toast in individual packs suits the way you use it.
A shop where you can compare plain toast, wholemeal toast and toast with seeds, among other options.
A shop to consider if you’re also looking for thin toasts to serve with toppings or a dip.
Worth considering if you’re looking at other crispy grain products as well as toast.
This plain Melba toast is a good choice if you’re mainly looking for a neutral, crisp base for a snack. Don’t consider it a confirmed stepping stone containing wholemeal flour.
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A plain toast base for anyone looking for a neutral flavour to go with toppings. The pack contains 240 g. Before buying, check the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging, especially if you need to avoid soya or sesame.
No. The term multigrain doesn’t, by itself, mean that all the flour used is wholemeal. For example, the Van der Meulen Melba Meergranen Toast described by Jumbo contains 45% wholemeal wheat flour as well as wheat flour. So check the ingredients if you’re looking for a fully wholemeal base.
A multigrain option with a stated proportion of wholemeal flour could be suitable if fully wholemeal isn’t the preferred choice yet. Still, compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g. Choose plain toast if a neutral base is your priority.
Check the latest packaging for the ingredients and listed allergens in the option you’ve chosen. The Melba toasts reviewed include ingredients such as wheat, soya and sesame, while the grains and warnings vary between options. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly listed on the label.
Check the ingredients list on the specific pack to see what type of salt is used. Don’t assume it contains iodised salt just because it’s toast; if the label is unclear, ask the manufacturer or retailer for product information.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal the toast securely after opening. For AH Melba Toast Naturel, Albert Heijn recommends storing the toast in a sealed tin after opening.
