Choose small, crisp wholemeal toast rounds if you want to serve a variety of toppings in small portions; choose wholemeal bread for toasties if larger slices are a better fit for breakfast. For both, check for the ‘wholemeal’ label, the nutritional information per 100 g and the allergens on the current packaging. Also compare how much you actually serve: a toast round and a slice of bread for toasties are not equal portions.
If you want to serve toast and keep an eye on fibre, you can compare the nutritional information per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, toast can only be labelled ‘wholemeal’ if it is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
If you need to take allergens such as wheat, sesame or soya into account, the product name alone isn’t enough. The varieties discussed differ in the allergens they contain and the warnings they give about possible traces.
Small toast rounds can be handy when you’re serving a selection of toppings. If you’d rather top larger slices, you could also consider wholemeal bread for toasties; this is a different product type from shelf-stable Melba toast.
Decide whether you want to serve small toast rounds or larger slices. Then check the wholemeal label, allergens and nutritional information on each suitable pack; the shape alone tells you nothing about these details.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label, read the ingredients list and compare fibre per 100 g. | I want to choose wholemeal toast for Sunday breakfast and see how much fibre different packs contain. For around 42% of consumers, this choice of wholemeal and fibre is the deciding factor. |
| Allergens | Check the current information on both the allergens present and possible traces. | If we need to avoid an allergen at breakfast, I want to know whether a type of toast is suitable before comparing its nutritional values. A suitable allergen profile comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Salt and serving size | Compare salt per 100 g and consider how many toast rounds or slices you want to serve. | When serving toppings at the table, I want to choose between small toast rounds and larger slices without losing sight of the salt content. Around 25% of consumers say this combination is their priority. |
A dark colour or the label ‘multigrain’ doesn’t mean the same as ‘wholemeal’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, toast can only be labelled ‘wholemeal’ if it is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
Look for the exact wording and read the ingredients list on the pack you’re buying.
Salt and portion size can also affect your choice. Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s product information lists salt levels of 0.98 g to 1.9 g per 100 g for the toast and bread-for-toasties varieties discussed; a slice of bread and a small toast round are also different portion sizes.
Compare nutritional values on the same basis, per 100 g, and decide how many pieces you’ll serve and with which toppings.
‘Wholemeal’ doesn’t tell you which allergens or possible traces are listed for an individual variety. Sesame, for example, is an ingredient in the Van der Meulen Melba toast discussed here, while other products mentioned carry a warning about possible traces.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information every time you buy, especially if you switch between varieties.
Compare specific varieties, not just brand names: size, ingredients and nutritional values can vary within the same brand.
Worth considering if you’re looking for crisp Melba toast but want to assess the wholemeal varieties individually.
Worth considering when comparing small wholemeal toast rounds and their nutritional information.
Worth considering if you want to compare larger slices of wholemeal bread for toasties with small, crisp toast rounds.
Yes: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, toast can only be labelled ‘wholemeal’ if it is made from 100% wholemeal flour. Also read the current ingredients list on the pack you’re buying rather than judging by its colour or an image.
No, the ‘wholemeal’ label doesn’t tell you what type of salt has been used in a particular product. If iodine content matters to your choice, check the current packaging or ask the manufacturer about the ingredients.
For wholemeal bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping it in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. If you like, divide the bread into portions before freezing; follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the toast’s own packaging.
Check the current ingredients, clearly listed allergens and any warnings about possible traces for the specific variety. The toast and bread-for-toasties products discussed contain gluten-containing cereals; sesame and other allergens vary by product.
