If you want a sturdier base for toppings, choose bread that you can cut into thick slices and toast yourself. Small, crunchy crispbreads suit a different occasion; Melba toast is thinly sliced and is no substitute for a thick slice of bread. Match the portion to what your child is willing to try, and check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on packaged toast.
If a small crispbread breaks or doesn’t leave much room for toppings, you can slice and toast bread yourself to the thickness you want. You can also decide how large to make the portion. A thicker slice doesn’t necessarily mean your child will prefer eating it.
Small crispbreads with a single topping can be a manageable option for a child who prefers to try familiar shapes and textures. The Voedingscentrum advises against forcing a child to eat. Thin Melba toast may suit a small taste-testing occasion, but it isn’t a thick slice of bread.
The toast products reviewed differ in their ingredients and allergens, including wheat, barley, soya and egg. Don’t choose based on the product type alone: check the ingredients and any warnings on the actual packaging before use.
The main choice is between a slice of bread cut to your preferred thickness, ready-made crunchy crispbread and thin Melba toast. Then consider the topping, the portion size you want and the information on the label.
Choose this if: you want a larger, sturdier base and would like to decide on the thickness and portion size yourself.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to slice and toast the bread yourself. A thick slice won’t automatically make an unfamiliar texture more appealing to a fussy eater.
Choose this if: you want to make small, topped bites with a crunchy base.
Bear in mind: being baked twice doesn’t mean it’s a thick slice. Haust says the seasoned breadcrumb coating on its Krokant Toast keeps topped toast crunchy for longer; check separately whether the shape works with your topping.
Choose this if: you want to offer a small piece of toast with a modest amount of topping.
Bear in mind: Van der Meulen describes its Melba toast as bread cut into thin slices. So don’t choose it if you need a thick slice.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sturdiness for toppings | Check whether you can slice the bread thickly yourself. Don’t assume ready-made toast is thick just because it’s called toast. | If toppings fall off a small crispbread, I want a base whose size I can choose myself. For around 31% of consumers, this need for a sturdy base comes first. |
| Small tasting portions | Check the size of the crispbread or cut a small portion yourself; offer the topping separately if you like. | When my child is unsure about a new combination, I prefer to start with a small, familiar bite without any pressure to eat. Around 31% of consumers give this predictable portion size top priority. |
| Nutritional information | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and check which type of bread or toast you’re buying. | Even if my child mainly wants something crunchy, I want to know how the products compare in terms of fibre and salt. This is the most important consideration for around 23% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information, including any warnings about traces. | If my child needs to avoid certain ingredients, the packaging determines whether I can choose a product. For around 15% of consumers, this check comes first. |
Van der Meulen describes its Melba toast as thinly sliced. The word ‘toast’ on a packet doesn’t tell you how thick the slice is.
If thickness is important, choose bread that you can slice yourself. For ready-made toast, check the shape of the product and think about what you’ll be topping it with.
The texture doesn’t tell you how much salt or fibre a product contains. For example, AH Melba Toast Naturel lists 1.93 g of salt per 100 g, according to Albert Heijn’s product information.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g. If you want to use bread as a base, factor the type of bread into your choice too.
Toast products can contain different ingredients and carry different warnings about possible cross-contamination. The Voedingscentrum stresses the importance of checking labels for allergen information.
Before use, check the ingredients list and allergen warnings on the current packaging, even if you’ve bought the product before.
Choosing another type of toast won’t automatically solve the reason your child rejects a bite. The Voedingscentrum advises against forcing a child to eat.
Offer a small portion calmly and let your child set the pace. Discuss any concerns about eating or growth with your child health clinic.
According to the product description on Jumbo, the Melba Toast Naturel reviewed here is a small, crunchy piece of toast made from bread cut into thin slices.
The Krokant Toast reviewed here is baked twice in the oven and designed as a base for topped snacks.
AH Melba Toast Naturel is a small, crunchy toast option; the pack reviewed contains 240 g.
Bolletje’s range includes products such as crackers, rusks and crispbread: other crunchy options rather than toast.
This bread is suited to the option where you prepare it first, then choose the slice thickness yourself for a topped sandwich. It isn’t ready-made crispbread, so allow time to prepare it before slicing and toasting.
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For anyone who wants to choose the thickness of a slice for toppings. The bread needs to be thawed and baked first. Check the baking time on the packaging, as the preparation instructions available vary.
Wheat is listed as an ingredient. If you have an allergy or coeliac disease, check the current packaging and allergen information.
No. According to the product description on Jumbo, Van der Meulen Melba Toast is made from bread cut into thin slices. If you’re mainly looking for a thick base for toppings, slicing bread yourself gives you more control over the thickness.
Start with a small portion and let your child decide whether they want to eat it. The Voedingscentrum advises against forcing a child to eat. If you’re concerned about eating or growth, you can contact your child health clinic.
Read the current ingredients list and allergen warnings on the packaging, including any statements that the product may contain other allergens. The Voedingscentrum says that checking labels is important for allergen information; don’t rely solely on a previous purchase or an online description.
Compare the same nutritional values per 100 g, such as fibre and salt, and also consider the portion you’re offering. This lets you compare products on a like-for-like basis without judging the whole product by its crunchy texture or a single nutritional value.
