If you’re looking for fibre
You want a wholegrain product to enjoy with your afternoon coffee and to know how much fibre a typical portion provides. Crispbread can be part of your diet, but it is not a treatment for digestive problems.
Who is this choice for?
An older person or carer keeping an eye on salt
You want to factor in the salt in both the cracker and the topping, rather than relying on the ‘wholegrain’ label alone.
If you’re considering ease of eating and getting enough food
If you have a poor appetite or difficulty chewing, you may wonder whether a hard, dry cracker is comfortable to eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that these difficulties can make it harder for older people to eat enough.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by considering whether the cracker is comfortable to eat. Then compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, so differences in cracker size don’t affect your choice.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and wholegrain cereals | Read the ingredients and compare the fibre per 100 g and per cracker. | If I want a wholegrain cereal product with my coffee, I want to know how much fibre my portion contains. For around 42% of consumers, fibre is the main consideration. |
| Salt and toppings | Compare the salt per portion and consider your choice of topping too. | When choosing a lower-salt option, I consider the whole topped cracker, not just the base. Salt is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ease of eating and nutritional intake | Consider how hard and dry it is, and whether it fits into an eating occasion that provides enough food and drink. | If chewing is difficult or appetite is declining, I first want to know whether this snack is comfortable to eat and won’t get in the way of eating enough. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a fibre claim will solve digestive problems
A single cracker doesn’t determine how much fibre you get from your overall diet. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 1.4 g of fibre in a 10 g piece of wholemeal crispbread; this figure doesn’t apply to every variety.
Compare the portion shown on the pack and consider crispbread alongside the other cereals and foods the person eats.
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Forgetting the salt in the topping
The nutritional information on a pack of crispbread doesn’t automatically include the topping. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises adults to eat no more than 6 g of salt a day.
So check the salt per cracker as well as the topping you plan to serve with it.
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Choosing a hard cracker when eating is difficult
If someone has a poor appetite or difficulty chewing, a dry, crunchy snack may be less comfortable to eat. Getting enough food then matters more than choosing a high-fibre cracker.
Consider a softer alternative if crispbread isn’t comfortable to eat. If there’s unintentional weight loss or suspected malnutrition, contact your GP, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
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Assuming all crispbread contains iodised salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt has iodine added to it, but bakers aren’t required to use it. The product category alone therefore doesn’t tell you which salt is in a particular cracker.
If iodine is a reason for buying it, check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer.
Brands to compare
Wasa
The range includes wholegrain rye crispbread and thinner rye varieties.
- According to Wasa’s own product information, Dun Rogge Volkoren contains 21 g of fibre per 100 g. This figure applies to this variety.
- The rye base is worth noting if you need to avoid gluten. A thin cracker may also be uncomfortable to eat if you have difficulty chewing.
Ryvita
Original is a rye crispbread for comparing ingredients and salt per piece with other crackers.
- Ryvita lists wholemeal rye flour, rye flour and salt as ingredients in Original, and its UK product information states that each crispbread contains 0.08 g of salt.
- Check the pack of the variety you’re buying: the UK product information may not describe every pack sold in the Netherlands.
Albert Heijn
AH Knäckebröd volkoren is a supermarket own-brand option to compare with other wholegrain crackers.
- Albert Heijn also offers other crispbread varieties, making it possible to compare ingredients and nutritional information.
- Albert Heijn notes that product information can change. Check the current pack before use, including the allergen information.
Jumbo
Jumbo has its own wholegrain crispbread variety and also lists crispbread from other brands.
- Jumbo describes Bolletje Volkoren Knäckebröd Vezelrijk as made with wholegrain wheat, rye and barley. Note that this description applies to that specific variety.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack you choose, rather than assuming figures are the same across varieties.
Crispbread for your afternoon coffee
These products are wholegrain, rye- or fibre-focused crispbreads and crackers that you could consider as the base for a snack. Check the pack for your portion, and bear ease of chewing and your choice of topping in mind.
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g'woon wholemeal crispbread – 375 g
A wholemeal base to enjoy with a topping alongside your afternoon coffee.
375 g pack. Compare the fibre and salt per cracker on the pack, and consider whether the crunchy texture is comfortable to eat.
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Bolletje wholegrain crispbread – 265 g
A wholegrain option if you fancy a cracker with a topping alongside your coffee.
265 g pack. Check the fibre and salt per portion on the pack, and make sure this variety suits any allergen requirements.
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Wasa sourdough rye crackers – 235 g
A rye option if you’re looking for a cracker with a topping to enjoy with your afternoon coffee.
235 g pack. Check the nutritional information per portion. This rye cracker isn’t suitable if you need to avoid gluten.
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Wasa High-Fiber crackers – 300 g
An option to compare if fibre is a priority when choosing a snack to enjoy with coffee.
300 g pack. Check the current fibre and salt figures per portion and read the allergen label. The crunchy texture is worth considering if chewing is difficult.
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Wasa wholegrain crispbread – 260 g
A classic rye option if you’re looking for a simple base for toppings.
260 g pack. Jumbo describes Wasa Volkoren as made from wholemeal rye flour with three ingredients. Check the nutritional information per portion; rye contains gluten.
Frequently asked questions
How does wholemeal crispbread fit into a fibre-focused choice?
Wholemeal crispbread can be one source of fibre in your diet, but the amount varies by product and portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 1.4 g of fibre in a 10 g piece of wholemeal crispbread. For a specific variety, check the nutritional information on the pack.
Should I check the salt in the topping too?
Yes. If you’re choosing a lower-salt option, consider the topped cracker as a whole. Compare the salt in the crispbread per portion and check the topping separately. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises adults to have no more than 6 g of salt a day.
Is crispbread suitable if you have difficulty chewing or a poor appetite?
Not necessarily: a hard, dry cracker needs to be comfortable to eat and shouldn’t get in the way of eating enough. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies difficulty chewing and a reduced appetite as possible barriers for older people. If there’s unintentional weight loss or suspected malnutrition, contact your GP.
Does crispbread always contain iodine from baker’s salt?
No, you can’t tell from the name crispbread. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt has iodine added to it, but its use isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients for a specific product or ask the manufacturer.
Is rye crispbread gluten-free?
No, rye contains gluten. According to Ryvita, Ryvita Original contains rye flour, and Jumbo describes Wasa Volkoren as a product made from wholemeal rye flour. If you need to avoid gluten, check the labelling and allergen information for the specific product.