Lunch fans looking for wholegrain options
You’re looking for a crisp base and want to be able to tell whether it’s made entirely from wholegrain flour. Look for the ‘wholegrain’ label, then compare the nutritional information per 100 g.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Fussy eaters who want to get used to wholegrain
If you’re not keen on the taste or texture of wholegrain yet, you can gradually combine white and wholegrain products. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests mixing them as a way to get used to wholegrain foods.
Label readers
If ingredients, allergens or salt matter to your choice, check the packaging of the specific product. Products with similar names can differ in these respects.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide whether your priority is 100% wholegrain, a flavour you enjoy or the ingredients on the label. Then compare products within the product category you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain and fibre | Look for the ‘wholegrain’ label and compare the fibre content per 100 g. | I want clear proof that my lunch base is wholegrain, rather than relying on a dark colour or the name of a grain. For around 40% of consumers, wholegrain would be their top priority when buying. |
| Taste and texture | Choose between wholegrain toast, multigrain toast or combining white and wholegrain products at home; for multigrain, check the proportion of wholegrain flour. | If wholegrain is left uneaten at home because of its taste, I want to be able to make the change gradually. For around 30% of consumers, enjoying the taste would be the main concern. |
| Ingredients, allergens and salt | Read the current ingredients and allergen list, and compare salt per 100 g. | I need to know what’s in the toast before choosing a product; its name alone isn’t enough. For around 30% of consumers, this label information would be the priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain means 100% wholegrain
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘wholegrain’ on crispbreads and crackers means that all the flour used is wholegrain. A multigrain product may also contain white flour: Jumbo lists 45% wholemeal wheat flour as well as wheat flour in one of its Melba multigrain toast products.
If you’re looking for a product that’s entirely wholegrain, look for the ‘wholegrain’ label. For multigrain products, check the ingredients and the stated proportion of wholegrain flour.
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Looking only at the type of grain
The label still matters, even with wholegrain toast. Albert Heijn lists 1.9 g of salt per 100 g for one of its Melba wholegrain toast products; ingredients and allergens also vary between products.
Compare salt on the same basis and check the allergen information on the packaging you buy.
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Treating an online product listing as the packaging
A manufacturer may change a recipe, so nutritional information you looked at previously may not match the packaging in your hands.
Before use, check the ingredients, allergens, nutritional information and storage instructions on that packaging.
Brands to consider
Van der Meulen Melba
The Melba range includes plain, wholegrain and multigrain toast products that you can compare.
- Albert Heijn lists 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g for one of its Melba wholegrain toast products. Jumbo lists 45% wholemeal wheat flour in one of its Melba multigrain toast products.
- These figures apply to the products mentioned, not the entire range. Check the salt, ingredients and allergens on each pack too.
Bolletje
Bolletje also offers crispbread and breakfast crackers as a crunchy base for lunch.
- Albert Heijn lists Bolletje wholegrain crispbread and wholegrain breakfast crackers, among other products.
- Crispbread and breakfast crackers aren’t the same product as toast. Check the exact product type and variety before comparing nutritional values.
Goud Gebakken
This ALDI own-brand range is worth considering if you’re also looking at crackers as a base for lunch.
- ALDI describes Goud Gebakken robust crackers as wholegrain crackers.
- For the variety you choose, check the nutritional information and allergens on the packaging; a general brand description is no substitute for the product label.
Crispbread and crackers as a lunch base
These are crispbreads or crackers for anyone looking for a crunchy lunch base other than toast. They aren’t, by themselves, a mix of white and wholegrain toast; compare the product type, packaging and nutritional information with what you’re looking for.
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Wasa Sourdough Rye crispbread, 235 g
A rye crispbread to consider if you’d prefer a crunchy base other than toast.
Pack size: 235 g. Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
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Bolletje wholegrain crispbread, 265 g
For anyone looking for a wholegrain lunch base and wanting to use crispbread instead of toast.
Pack size: 265 g. Check the current nutritional information and allergens on the packaging for the variety you choose.
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Bolletje Light wholegrain crackers, 190 g
Thin wholegrain crackers for anyone considering crackers as a lunch base; these aren’t toast.
Pack size: 190 g. The ‘Light’ name alone doesn’t tell you which nutritional value matters most for your comparison; check the label for details.
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g'woon wholegrain crispbread, 125 g
A wholegrain crispbread to compare if you’re looking for a base for toppings beyond toast.
Pack size: 125 g. Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain toast the same as wholegrain toast?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘wholegrain’ on toast products means that all the flour used is wholegrain; ‘multigrain’ doesn’t guarantee this. For example, Jumbo lists both 45% wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour in one of its Melba multigrain toast products.
How can I help someone gradually get used to wholegrain?
Start by combining white and wholegrain products, then gradually increase the proportion of wholegrain. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests mixing them as a way to get used to wholegrain; a multigrain product isn’t automatically the same as a mix of white and wholegrain products made at home.
Are calories per piece of toast enough to compare products?
No. Also consider the product type, ingredients, fibre and salt, and compare nutritional values on the same basis, for example per 100 g. Also check the size of the portion you actually eat.
How should I store toast or crispbread?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging for your variety. Instructions may vary between products; for example, Jumbo recommends storing one of its Melba multigrain toast products in a cool, dry place.