Fibre-conscious breakfast eater
You compare the wholemeal flour in the ingredients list and the fibre per 100 g, rather than relying on the name of the rusk alone.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Fan of sweet toppings
You use rusks as a base for toppings such as jam, honey or fruit, and want to take the topping into account when putting together your breakfast.
Regular rusk buyer
You’re looking for a pack for regular use and compare the number of rusks, pack weight and serving size.
What should you look for when choosing?
‘Medium sliced’ refers to sliced bread, while rusks are sold individually or in rolls. So, for a sweet breakfast, start by considering the type of rusk and your topping, then compare the information on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and wholemeal content | Check which types of flour are listed in the ingredients and compare the fibre per 100 g. | If I’m looking for wholemeal rusks, I want to know what they contain and how much fibre is listed for each variety. Around 30% of consumers say this comparison is their top priority. |
| Rusks and sweet toppings | Check the nutritional information for both the rusks and the topping, including sugars, salt and saturated fat. | I mainly choose rusks to eat with jam, honey or another sweet topping, and want to consider the whole breakfast. For around 30% of consumers, this combination comes first. |
| Pack contents | Compare the number of rusks, the pack weight and, if needed, the weight of each rusk. | For everyday use, I want to know how many rusks I’ll get from a pack. This is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list, allergen declaration and any warnings about traces. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, I don’t want to rely on the variety name alone. Around 20% of consumers make this check their top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘wholemeal’ always means the rusks contain only wholemeal flour
According to the Dutch Consumers’ Association, rusks labelled ‘wholemeal’ may also contain some white flour. So the name alone doesn’t tell you which types of flour have been used.
Read the ingredients list and compare the fibre per 100 g as well.
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Overlooking the sweet topping
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that toppings can sometimes be high in sugars, salt or saturated fat. Comparing the rusks alone therefore won’t give you the full picture of your breakfast.
Check the ingredients and nutritional information for the topping too, and decide how much you’ll use.
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Looking only at the number of rusks
The same number of rusks doesn’t necessarily mean the same pack weight or serving size.
Compare the number of rusks and the weight on the packaging to see how two packs measure up against each other.
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Guessing which allergens are present from the variety name
The rusks examined contain different ingredients; wheat, egg or sesame may be relevant for some varieties. ‘Plain’ or ‘multiseed’ is no substitute for checking the allergen declaration.
Check the current packaging before buying, even if you’ve bought the same variety before.
Brands to consider
Bolletje
Bolletje offers original, wholemeal and multiseed rusks, among other varieties. Compare them individually, as their ingredients and nutritional values differ.
- Product information from Albert Heijn lists 3.6 g of fibre per 100 g for Bolletje Bakkers original rusks and 10 g per 100 g for Bolletje Vezelrijk boeren wholemeal rusks.
- These values apply to the varieties named, not the entire range. If you have an allergy, check the ingredients on the specific pack.
AH
The own-brand range includes plain and wholemeal rusks. These names help you identify the varieties, but they don’t replace the nutritional information.
- Albert Heijn lists 9 g of fibre per 100 g for AH wholemeal rusks.
- Don’t apply the fibre value for the wholemeal variety to AH plain rusks; check each variety separately.
Goud Gebakken
Goud Gebakken is an ALDI rusk brand with a plain variety, among others.
- ALDI lists 13 rusks in a pack of Goud Gebakken plain rusks.
- For a comparison of nutritional values, ingredients or allergens, check the information on the current packaging.
Rusks for a sweet breakfast at Joybuy
These products offer two options for a sweet breakfast: wholemeal rusks and seeded rusks. Compare the number of rusks in each variety and, if fibre matters to you, the nutritional information per 100 g.
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Bolletje dark wholemeal rusks, 10 pieces
A variety to consider if you want wholemeal rusks as a base for sweet toppings. The pack contains 10 rusks; Joybuy’s product information lists 10 g of fibre per 100 g. Check the current ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
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Bolletje multiseed rusks, 10 pieces
A good choice if you want seeds in your rusks as well as a sweet topping. The pack contains 10 rusks. Check the label to see which seeds and allergens are listed for this variety.
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Bolletje wholemeal rusks, 13 pieces
A wholemeal variety for anyone who wants to pair rusks with a sweet topping. The pack contains 13 rusks. To compare fibre, check the nutritional information per 100 g on the current packaging, and check the allergens there too.
Frequently asked questions
Is ‘medium sliced’ a useful term when looking for rusks?
No. The rusks examined are sold individually or in rolls, not as sliced bread. For a sweet breakfast, it’s better to compare the type of rusk, the number of rusks, the ingredients and the nutritional information.
Does ‘wholemeal’ on a pack of rusks mean they contain only wholemeal flour?
Not always: according to the Dutch Consumers’ Association, rusks labelled ‘wholemeal’ may also contain some white flour. Read the ingredients list to find out which types of flour have been used in a particular variety.
How should I store an opened pack of wholemeal rusks?
Store wholemeal rusks in a cool, dry, dark place and keep them well sealed, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Reseal the pack after use to protect the rusks from moisture.