Who is this choice relevant to?

Families comparing wholemeal options and fibre

For parents, carers and pupils looking for a crisp lunch base and wanting to know how much fibre their chosen toast contains per 100 g and per packed portion.

Families who need to check allergens

For anyone who needs to match the ingredients to what the pupil can eat and to the school’s rules. Check the packaging for cereals containing gluten and any other relevant allergens.

Anyone comparing toast and crackers

For those also considering wholemeal crackers or crispbread, without assuming they’re identical to toast. The size, ingredients and nutritional information depend on the specific variety.

What should you look for when choosing?

First check that your chosen variety suits any allergy requirements and school rules. Then compare the wholemeal ingredient, fibre and salt, and consider how many pieces will actually go into the lunchbox.

What to consider What to check Who is it important for?
Wholemeal and fibre Check the wholemeal ingredient and compare fibre per 100 g and for the amount you’re packing. If fibre is the deciding factor, I want to know what my child will actually be taking with them, not just what’s shown on the front of the pack. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this question about wholemeal ingredients and fibre.
Gluten and other allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you choose; check any school rules in advance. If an ingredient needs to be avoided, the lunch needs to meet that requirement before I consider anything else. Around 30% of consumers prioritise checking allergens.
Portion and lunchbox practicality Check the weight per piece and the nutritional information per portion; choose a shape that’s easy to pack. I want to know how many pieces of toast or crackers I’m packing and whether they’ll fit well in the lunchbox. This practical consideration matters most to around 20% of consumers.
Retailer and range Check which specific varieties are available and read the label for the one you choose. If I shop at the same retailer regularly, I want to be able to find a suitable wholemeal variety there. Around 10% of consumers consider their choice of retailer first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming wholemeal means gluten-free

    Wholemeal wheat, rye and barley aren’t gluten-free alternatives. Voedingscentrum points out that gluten needs to be avoided in conditions including coeliac disease; other allergens may also be relevant to the pupil.

    If a gluten-free lunch is needed, choose a product clearly labelled gluten-free and check the full label.

  • Comparing fibre alone

    Van der Meulen Melba Wholemeal Toast shown by Jumbo lists 9,7 g of fibre and 1,9 g of salt per 100 g. Jos Poell Wholemeal toast shown by Albert Heijn lists 10 g of fibre and 1,64 g of salt per 100 g. The allergens also vary between products.

    Compare fibre and salt on the same basis, then check the ingredients on the packaging you choose.

  • Treating an average figure as a product value

    In its general nutritional information, Voedingscentrum uses a 6 g wholemeal toast piece as an example. That weight doesn’t apply to every type of toast or cracker.

    Use the nutritional information and the weight per piece for the specific product to assess the portion you’re packing.

  • Assuming wholemeal means baking salt was used

    The term wholemeal doesn’t tell you whether baking salt was used in a particular variety of toast. So don’t assume that the variety contains iodine.

    If this matters for your dietary choice, check the packaging or ask the manufacturer.

Brands and retailers to consider

Van der Meulen Melba

The 120 g Melba Wholemeal Toast shown by Jumbo is a thin variety of toast.

  • Jumbo lists 9,7 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
  • The same product information lists 1,9 g of salt per 100 g and includes wheat, barley, rye, sesame and soya, among other ingredients.

Jos Poell

The Wholemeal toast shown by Albert Heijn is another variety to compare using the figures on the label.

  • Albert Heijn lists 10 g of fibre and 1,64 g of salt per 100 g for this variety.
  • The product information lists wheat and cereals containing gluten, and says that it may contain egg, milk, soya and sesame. Check the current label and availability.

Bolletje

Lichte Crackers Wholemeal are an option for anyone looking for something other than toast.

  • Bolletje says these crackers are made from 100% wholemeal grains.
  • This isn’t Melba toast; the ingredients include wheat, barley and sesame, among other things.

Albert Heijn

The product information for Jos Poell Wholemeal toast provides the ingredients and nutritional values for a specific variety.

  • These details make it possible to compare fibre, salt and allergens.
  • Product information can change, so check the packaging of the product you choose too.

Jumbo

The product listing for Van der Meulen Melba Wholemeal Toast, 120 g, includes nutritional and allergen information.

  • Fibre and salt are listed per 100 g for this variety.
  • Information about one variety of toast doesn’t apply to other products in the range.

Lidl / Tastino

Tastino Luxe Crackers Wholemeal, 210 g, is a cracker option, not an identical variety of toast.

  • The product listing makes the product type and pack weight clear.
  • Check the nutritional information on the specific packaging for fibre, salt and allergens.

ALDI / Goud Gebakken

ALDI lists wholemeal toast alongside other toast and cracker products in its range.

  • The different product types give you a starting point for finding a suitable lunch base.
  • For each variety you’re considering, check that it’s wholemeal and see what the label says about fibre, salt and allergens.

Wholemeal crackers as an alternative

These Joybuy products are crackers and crispbread for anyone who isn’t set on toast for their school lunch. Compare the packaging you choose for portion size, fibre, salt and allergens; a wholemeal label doesn’t mean a product is gluten-free.

Wasa High-Fiber crackers, 300 g pack

Wasa High-Fiber crackers, 300 g

A cracker option if toast isn’t the lunch format you’re looking for.

The pack contains 300 g. Check the label for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the amount you’re packing.

View at Joybuy
Bolletje wholemeal crispbread, 265 g pack

Bolletje wholemeal crispbread, 265 g

A crispbread option for a lunch that doesn’t have to include toast specifically.

The pack contains 265 g. Check the packaging you choose for the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information per portion.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is wholemeal toast automatically suitable for school lunch?

No. As well as checking the wholemeal ingredient, look at fibre, salt, allergens and the amount you’re packing. Voedingscentrum uses a weight of 6 g per piece for an average wholemeal toast piece; the information on the packaging you choose applies to that variety.

Is regular wholemeal toast gluten-free?

No. Wholemeal toast made from wheat, rye or barley isn’t gluten-free. If gluten needs to be avoided, look for a product clearly labelled gluten-free and check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.

Do I need to check the school’s rules about allergens?

Yes. Make sure the lunch meets your school’s rules and is suitable for what the pupil can eat. Also check the label on the packaging you choose each time, as the product type or a wholemeal label doesn’t determine which allergens it contains.

Does wholemeal mean the toast contains baking salt?

No. The wholemeal label doesn’t tell you whether a specific type of toast is made with baking salt. Check the packaging or ask the manufacturer if this matters for your dietary choice.