Which choice is right for you?

Fans of a classic chocolate digestive

If you’d like a wheat biscuit with milk or dark chocolate to enjoy with your tea, first decide which type of chocolate you prefer. McVitie’s describes Digestive Milk as an original digestive topped with a layer of milk chocolate. Check the allergens if they’re relevant to your choice.

Anyone looking for a gluten-free biscuit

Look for an explicit gluten-free label and check the other allergen information too. Schär describes Digestive Choc as gluten-free, but also lists milk and soya; its product page says it may contain lupin and egg as well.

Anyone comparing nutritional information

Compare similar biscuits per 100 g for sugars, saturated fat, salt and fibre. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends this approach because manufacturers may use different portion sizes.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’re looking for a digestive, another type of chocolate biscuit or a product with a specific allergen label. Then compare the flavour, packaging and nutritional information of products that meet your requirements.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Flavour and type of chocolate Check whether it’s a digestive and whether you want milk or dark chocolate. If you’re sharing, consider the type of packaging too. If I specifically want a chocolate digestive with my tea, the type of chocolate determines whether the biscuit suits my taste. An estimated 43% of consumers put this flavour choice first.
Gluten and other allergens If needed, check the gluten-free label, ingredients list and warnings about possible traces on the current packaging. If I need to avoid an ingredient, I don’t want to rely on the product name alone. For an estimated 29% of consumers, this check is the most important buying requirement.
Nutritional information and portion size Compare similar biscuits per 100 g for sugars, saturated fat, salt and fibre; then check the amount per biscuit. If I want to know what’s in my usual portion, I first need a consistent basis for comparing products. An estimated 28% of consumers give nutritional information and portion size top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the name ‘digestive’ means it’s nutritious

    The name doesn’t tell you how much sugar, saturated fat or fibre a biscuit contains. The values shown can vary between chocolate digestives too.

    Compare similar products per 100 g, then consider the portion you want to serve, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.

  • Overlooking other allergens when a product is labelled ‘gluten-free’

    A gluten-free label doesn’t mean a product is free from milk or soya. Schär lists both in Digestive Choc and notes that it may contain lupin and egg.

    Check the current ingredients list and warnings on the packaging every time you buy.

  • Choosing a supermarket own-brand alternative without checking the label

    Sondey Dark Chocolate Digestives offer a different flavour from a milk chocolate version. If you’re also choosing based on ingredients or nutritional information, the name alone isn’t enough.

    Check the packaging on the product listing before deciding whether it meets your requirements.

Brands to consider

McVitie’s

McVitie’s describes Digestive Milk as an original digestive topped with a layer of milk chocolate, and also offers a resealable Grab&Go version.

  • A good point of reference if you’re specifically looking for a chocolate digestive; the manufacturer provides nutritional information per biscuit and per 100 g.
  • Digestive Milk contains milk, wheat and soya, so it isn’t suitable if you need to avoid any of these ingredients.

Schär

Schär presents Digestive Choc as a gluten-free biscuit with milk chocolate in a 150 g pack.

  • A relevant choice if an explicit gluten-free label is your priority.
  • The product page lists milk and soya and notes that it may contain lupin and egg; check the current packaging.

Verkade

Verkade describes Chocorondjes Milk Chocolate as a biscuit topped with a layer of milk chocolate.

  • An option if a chocolate biscuit with your tea is all you’re after.
  • Chocorondjes aren’t described as digestives, so don’t treat them as the same type of product.

Sondey

Lidl lists Sondey Dark Chocolate Digestives as a 300 g product.

  • A specific option if you’re looking for a digestive with dark chocolate.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the packaging before choosing this product.

Biscotto

ALDI lists Biscotto Digestive Biscuits as wheat biscuits in a 400 g pack containing approximately 27 biscuits.

  • A relevant choice if you’re looking for a plain digestive without chocolate.
  • This version isn’t a substitute for a chocolate digestive if chocolate is a must-have for you.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus describes Biscoff as a caramelised speculoos biscuit, ideal with coffee and more.

  • An alternative if you’re mainly after a crunchy biscuit to enjoy with a hot drink.
  • The version described isn’t a chocolate digestive and contains wheat and soya.

Chocolate biscuits on Joybuy

This selection includes two chocolate digestives and two other chocolate biscuits to enjoy with tea. Choose the alternatives only if a digestive isn’t essential; if you have allergen requirements or need a gluten-free product, always check the current packaging.

McVitie's Digestives with dark chocolate, 266 g

McVitie's Digestives with dark chocolate, 266 g

For anyone looking for a digestive with dark chocolate to enjoy with tea. The product description calls it a wheat biscuit and lists wheat/gluten, milk and soya; check the current label if you have a relevant allergy.

Joybuy
McVitie's Digestives with milk chocolate, 266 g

McVitie's Digestives with milk chocolate, 266 g

For anyone who wants to serve a classic wheat digestive with milk chocolate. The product description lists milk, soya and wheat/gluten; check the current label if you have a relevant allergy. Check the sugar content on the packaging before comparing it with another product.

Joybuy
Lu Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150 g

Lu Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150 g

An alternative to enjoy with tea if a digestive isn’t essential. The description says these are butter biscuits with milk chocolate, individually wrapped in portions of two; it also lists milk, wheat/gluten and soya.

Joybuy
Verkade Gv Oaties Milk Chocolate, 150 g

Verkade Gv Oaties Milk Chocolate, 150 g

A chocolate biscuit for when a digestive isn’t essential. The product description labels these oat biscuits with milk chocolate as gluten-free, but also lists milk, oats and soya, with possible traces of nuts. Check the current packaging for information relevant to your choice.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How do I compare chocolate digestives with different portion sizes?

First compare similar biscuits per 100 g for sugars, saturated fat, salt and fibre, among other things. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that manufacturers set their own portion sizes; then use the value per biscuit to work out the amount you want to serve.

Are all chocolate digestives gluten-free?

No. Check whether the specific product is explicitly labelled gluten-free. Schär presents Digestive Choc as gluten-free, while McVitie’s lists wheat in Digestive Milk and warns that it may contain traces of other gluten-containing cereals.

Which allergens should I check in addition to gluten?

Read the full allergen information on the current packaging, including details of milk and soya if they’re relevant to your choice. McVitie’s lists these ingredients in Digestive Milk; Schär lists them in Digestive Choc and also notes that it may contain lupin and egg. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be listed on labels.