Holidaying families with fussy eaters
If not everyone likes the same flavours or textures, you can pair a wholemeal product with a separate plain option. That way, you won’t mistake toast made with a mix of flours for a fully wholemeal product.
Who are these options for?
Breakfast and lunch fans keeping an eye on fibre
Do you have toast or toastie bread for breakfast, lunch or toasties? Check whether the product is labelled wholemeal and compare the stated fibre per 100 g.
Hosts planning drinks and picnics
Thin, crispy Melba toast can work well with toppings or dips. When choosing, also check the type of packaging, salt content and allergens for the specific product.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you need soft toastie bread for toasties and sandwiches, or crispy toast for toppings and dips. Then compare the pack you’re actually planning to take with you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check the wholemeal labelling, ingredients and fibre per 100 g. | If you mainly want a wholemeal option, a brown colour isn’t enough to base your choice on. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Taste and texture | Compare soft toastie bread with crispy toast, and consider whether a plain option would better suit everyone’s preferences. | If tastes differ, you may prefer two different options to one pack that not everyone fancies. This matters most to around 31% of consumers. |
| Storage and taking it with you | Check the best-before date, storage instructions and packaging format. | If you’re away for several days, you’ll want to know how to store your supplies and when to open a pack. This is the biggest consideration for around 23% of consumers. |
| Allergens and labelling | Read the highlighted allergens and warnings about possible traces; compare salt per 100 g if it matters to your choice. | If someone in your group needs to avoid an ingredient, you’ll need to check the current packaging before buying. This is the main concern for around 15% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking brown or multigrain bread for wholemeal
The colour and appearance of bread won’t tell you whether all the flour in it is wholemeal. The Voedingscentrum distinguishes between wholemeal products and those made with a mix of wholemeal flour and refined flour.
Check the product name and ingredients list. If a proportion of wholemeal flour is stated, assess that separately.
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Assuming Melba toast and toastie bread are interchangeable
Thin, crispy Melba toast is suited to toppings or dips, while soft toastie bread is designed for toasties and sandwiches, among other things. The shape therefore also affects how you’ll use the pack during your holiday.
Start by deciding when you’ll eat it. If preferences differ, consider taking two clearly different types.
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Relying on a familiar brand to check for allergens
Ingredients and warnings vary from product to product, and can change if the recipe is updated. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for pre-packed products is shown on the label.
Before buying, read the current ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any warnings about possible traces.
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Comparing fibre but overlooking salt
Products labelled wholemeal can still have different salt levels. Albert Heijn lists 0.9 g of salt per 100 g for its Extra lang lekker tostibrood volkoren; the product information for Van der Meulen Melba volkoren toast lists 1.9 g per 100 g. They are also different types of bread product.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the way you plan to use the product, and consider how much you’ll serve.
Brands and ranges to consider
Albert Heijn
The own-brand range includes soft wholemeal toastie bread for toasties and sandwiches.
- For its Extra lang lekker tostibrood volkoren, Albert Heijn lists 7.2 g of fibre and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g, iodised salt, and instructions for storing and freezing it.
- Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens, especially if someone in your group needs to avoid an allergen.
Jumbo
The own-brand range includes wholemeal toastie bread, as well as other toast products.
- For Tostibrood Volkoren Half, Jumbo lists 6.4 g of fibre and 0.98 g of salt per 100 g, and advises storing it in a cool, dark place.
- This particular bread contains wheat and gluten and, according to the product information, may also contain milk, sesame and soya. Check the label on the pack you buy.
Van der Meulen (Melba)
Van der Meulen makes Melba; the wholemeal Melba toast reviewed is a thin, crispy base for toppings or dips.
- The product information for this wholemeal version lists six small packs, 9.7 g of fibre and 1.9 g of salt per 100 g.
- The listed allergens include wheat, barley, rye, sesame and soya. Check the current packaging if you have relevant allergies.
Bolletje
Bolletje’s range includes crispbread, crackers and rusks for anyone considering a different crispy base.
- These products offer alternatives to consider alongside toast.
- Crackers or rusks aren’t automatically interchangeable with Melba toast or toastie bread. Compare the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens for each product.
ALDI
ALDI Netherlands includes wholemeal, plain and seeded options in its toast range.
- These options make it easier to consider different taste and texture preferences separately.
- Check the ingredients, nutritional values and allergens for the pack you choose; they won’t necessarily be the same across the whole range.
Joybuy products for crispy toast
This Melba toast suits anyone looking for a crispy base for toppings or dips. If you’re after wholemeal toast or soft toastie bread, check those details separately on the packaging.
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Crispy Melba Toast, 240 g
Thin, crispy Melba toast for toppings or dips. Before choosing this toast to meet specific dietary needs, check the current packaging for the wholemeal labelling, nutritional values per 100 g and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Is toast made with a mix of wholemeal and refined flour fully wholemeal?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, a product that isn’t made entirely with wholemeal flour can’t be labelled wholemeal. For a mixed product, check the ingredients and any stated proportion of wholemeal flour.
Does all toast contain iodised salt?
You can’t tell from the type of product alone. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for its Extra lang lekker tostibrood volkoren; if you’re choosing a different toast, check the ingredients list if this matters to you.
Which allergens should I check before setting off?
Read the allergen information on every current pack, even if you’ve bought the product before. The toast products reviewed list, among other things, cereals containing gluten, soya or sesame; some products also carry warnings about possible traces of other allergens.
How should I store toastie bread during my holiday?
Follow the storage instructions and date on the pack you’re taking with you. Albert Heijn advises storing its Extra lang lekker tostibrood volkoren in a dry place and says it can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; Jumbo advises storing Tostibrood Volkoren Half in a cool, dark place.