If you regularly enjoy sweet toppings on soft slices, start with pre-sliced bread or toast bread. Consider a wholemeal option if fibre is a priority for you. Choose Melba toast if you’re after a dry, crisp slice. Unless a thickness is specified, the term ‘medium sliced’ doesn’t tell you exactly how thick the slices are.
Which type of toast is right for you?
If you’re looking for soft slices for sweet toppings
If you want a slice of bread with toppings rather than a crisp piece of toast, look for pre-sliced bread or toast bread. Check the slice size on the packaging if you also want to use it in your toaster.
If you want to compare fibre content
When choosing between white and wholemeal bread, the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g are more useful than the shape of the loaf alone. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholegrain products contain more fibre than white grain products.
If you want something crisp
Melba toast is a good choice for breakfast when you deliberately want a dry, crisp base for sweet toppings. It’s a different type of product from soft, sliced bread.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want soft slices or crisp toast. If you’re choosing bread, compare whether it’s wholemeal, its nutritional information and the size of the slices.
| What to consider |
What to check when buying |
Who it matters to |
| Soft slices |
Check whether the bread is pre-sliced and whether the slices will fit in your toaster. |
I want to spread sweet toppings on soft bread, without switching to crisp toast. For around 44% of consumers, soft slices would be the main priority. |
| Fibre and wholemeal |
Check the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare the fibre and salt per 100 g on the packaging. |
If bread is often my breakfast, I want to compare the nutritional information for white and wholemeal options. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise fibre and wholemeal. |
| Crisp texture |
Check that you’re buying crisp toast and that the flavour suits your toppings. |
For my sweet toppings, I want a crisp base rather than the texture of a slice of bread. Around 23% of consumers would put this preference first. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking Melba toast for soft toast bread
Melba toast is crisp. Even with sweet toppings, it won’t have the same texture as a soft slice of bread.
Before comparing options, decide which of these two types of product you actually want to eat.
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Assuming that all toast products contain iodised salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether a product contains iodine just from the word ‘toast’.
Check the ingredients list for the specific product for a mention of ‘iodised salt’ or ‘baker’s salt’.
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Going by the bread name alone
Breads with a similar shape can have different ingredients and nutritional values. The product information for AH Extra lang lekker tostibrood volkoren lists 7.2 g of fibre per 100 g, while Jumbo Tosti Brood Wit Half lists 2.3 g per 100 g. These values apply to those two products.
Compare the current nutritional information per 100 g and check the ingredients and allergens for the bread you want to buy.
Brands to consider
These brands offer different types of bread and toast to compare. A brand name alone doesn’t tell you the thickness or nutritional value of a specific product.
Albert Heijn
A place to look for soft toast bread, including a wholemeal option.
- The product page describes AH Extra lang lekker tostibrood volkoren as soft bread and lists iodised salt.
- Check the current packaging for the slice size and product information.
Jumbo
A place to compare white toast bread and crisp toast as two different types of product.
- According to its product page, Jumbo Tosti Brood Wit Half is a half loaf of white wheat bread.
- The nutritional values for this bread don’t automatically apply to other Jumbo breads.
ALDI
A place to look for options including fresh casino bread and wholemeal bread.
- ALDI Netherlands lists casino white bread and various wholemeal breads in its bread range.
- For a specific loaf, check how it’s sliced, the slice size and the nutritional information.
Van der Meulen
A brand to consider if you’re looking for crisp Melba toast.
- The range listed by Jumbo includes Melba Toast Naturel, Volkoren and Meergranen.
- Melba toast isn’t soft, medium-sliced bread; check the flavour you choose, too.
Bolletje
A brand to consider if you’re looking for crackers, rather than the same type of soft toast bread.
- Bolletje makes crackers that you can consider as a separate breakfast option.
- Crackers aren’t a direct replacement if you’re looking for soft slices to add toppings to.
Lidl
A place to look if you want to assess toast bread in store.
- Lidl Netherlands lists a 375 g loaf of toast bread as an in-store product.
- Check the label for the ingredients, nutritional values and slice size.
Toast options at Joybuy
These products suit two different breakfast choices: crisp Melba toast or a soft toast option. If you’re looking for medium-sliced bread in particular, check how the soft options are sliced and the size of the slices.
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Conimex Delverde Melba Toast Round, 100 g
For anyone who wants a crisp slice with sweet toppings, rather than soft bread.
Round Melba toast; 100 g pack. If you have allergies, check the current packaging.
View at Joybuy
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Thinmax Golden Danish Toast, 85 g × 4
An option to consider if you want soft toast for breakfast and find individual portions convenient.
Four 85 g portions. Check the packaging to see whether the toast is pre-sliced and whether it will fit in your toaster.
View at Joybuy
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Thinmax Hokkaido Toast Bread, 85 g
An option for anyone considering a soft base for a sweet breakfast.
85 g pack. Check how it’s sliced and the slice size. If sugar content matters to you, compare the current nutritional information, too.
View at Joybuy
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘medium sliced’ tell me how thick the slices are?
No. On its own, the term doesn’t give you a useful measurement for a specific loaf. Check the packaging for the slicing style and any dimensions, and make sure the slices will fit in your toaster.
Should I choose wholemeal toast bread for a sweet breakfast?
Don’t choose it solely because of the toppings. Instead, consider the texture you want and the nutritional information that matters to you. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholegrain products contain more fibre than white grain products. Compare the values per 100 g for the specific breads you’re considering.
Does bread or toast always contain iodised salt?
No. Don’t assume that a particular product does. The Voedingscentrum says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for a mention of ‘iodised salt’ or ‘baker’s salt’.
How should I store soft toast bread and crisp toast?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you choose. The product information for Jumbo Tosti Brood Wit Half recommends storing it in a cool, dry place away from light. For AH Extra lang lekker tostibrood volkoren, freezing it on the day of purchase is recommended. After opening, seal crisp toast as directed on the packaging.