Sugar-conscious home worker
You’re looking for toast as a lunch base and want to compare total sugars. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the nutritional values per 100 g, so differences in portion size don’t affect the comparison.
Who will find this comparison useful?
Shopper who also keeps an eye on salt
You don’t want to base your choice on sugars alone. According to product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo, both of the plain melba toast varieties mentioned contain 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g, but their listed salt contents differ.
Lunch-maker who checks allergens
You want toast you can top for a quick lunch, but need to read the label before buying. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list wheat, barley and soya for the plain melba toast varieties mentioned; both product listings also warn that they may contain sesame.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the nutritional values per 100 g for the same type of toast. Then check the ingredients and allergens, and only after that decide how much toast to top for lunch.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Total sugars | Compare total sugars per 100 g in similar types of toast; check any statement about added sugars separately. | I want to compare toast for my working-from-home lunch without differences in portion size disguising the sugar content. For around 46% of consumers, total sugars come first. |
| Sugars and salt together | For the same type of toast, also check the salt content per 100 g. | If two plain varieties list the same amount of sugars, I want to know how much salt they contain too. Around 27% of consumers give this combination the highest priority. |
| Toppings and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and warnings about possible traces; decide how much toast you’ll actually top. | For a quick lunch with toppings, I want to know in advance whether the toast is suitable for any allergens I need to consider. For around 27% of consumers, this practical check is the main concern. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing added sugars with total sugars
A claim of 0 g added sugars doesn’t mean there are 0 g of total sugars in the toast. Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars and 3.2 g of total sugars per 100 g for AH Melba toast naturel.
To compare products, check the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutritional information per 100 g.
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Looking only at sugars
According to Albert Heijn and Jumbo, the plain melba toast varieties mentioned both list 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g, but 1.93 g and 1.3 g of salt per 100 g respectively.
Compare sugars and salt side by side, and make sure you’re comparing the same type of toast.
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Comparing portions from different packs directly
A portion on one pack may not be the same size as a portion on another. That means values per portion aren’t necessarily a reliable basis for comparing products.
Compare per 100 g first, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Then consider how much toast you use and what you put on it.
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Checking allergens only after buying
For the plain melba toast varieties in question, product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo lists wheat, barley and soya, and warns that they may contain sesame.
Before buying, check the allergen information and warnings on the pack of the variety you choose.
Brands with relevant toast varieties
Van der Meulen
Jumbo lists several melba toast varieties under this brand, including plain, wholemeal and multigrain. Their nutritional values aren’t interchangeable.
- For Melba Toast Naturel, Jumbo lists 3.2 g of sugars and 1.3 g of salt per 100 g.
- The plain variety listed contains wheat, barley and soya, and may contain sesame; check the label on any other variety.
AH
Albert Heijn lists AH Melba toast naturel in a 240 g pack.
- The product information lists 3.2 g of total sugars and 0 g of added sugars per 100 g.
- The same variety lists 1.93 g of salt per 100 g, contains wheat, barley and soya, and may contain sesame, among other allergens.
Sun Snacks
ALDI Netherlands lists Sun Snacks Melba Toast Naturel in a 240 g pack.
- The product listing clearly states the type of toast and pack size.
- Check the nutritional information and allergens on the pack before choosing this variety to meet a specific sugar, salt or allergen requirement.
Toast on Joybuy
This rice toast is an option if you’re looking for a crunchy base for a topped working-from-home lunch. Compare the nutritional information for this variety separately from melba toast.
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Van Der Meulen Rice Toast Natural 65 g
Rice toast for anyone looking for a crunchy base to top for lunch. This Natural variety comes in a 65 g pack; if it matters to your choice, check the nutritional information per 100 g and the allergen information on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
What does ‘low sugar’ mean for the sugar content of toast?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a maximum of 5 g of sugars per 100 g for a ‘low sugar’ nutrition claim. Check the total sugars in the nutritional information per 100 g to compare toast products; don’t use that figure alone to draw conclusions about your whole lunch.
Does 0 g of added sugars also mean 0 g of sugars?
No. Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars for AH Melba toast naturel, but 3.2 g of total sugars per 100 g. If the difference matters to your choice, check both figures separately.
Why compare salt as well as sugars for a sugar-conscious lunch?
Toast with the same listed sugar content can differ in its salt content. Albert Heijn lists 1.93 g of salt per 100 g for AH Melba toast naturel, while Jumbo lists 1.3 g for Van der Meulen Melba Toast Naturel; both list 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g.
Does all toast contain iodine because baker’s salt is used?
You can’t assume that for every pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine may be present in bakery products through the use of baker’s salt; this doesn’t establish which ingredients a particular toast variety contains. Check the ingredients list of the product you choose.