For fans of a classic biscuit with coffee
You’re mainly looking for a plain, crunchy digestive to enjoy with your coffee. If you want to compare plain varieties, check the ingredients and serving size on the label.
Which digestive is right for you?
For shoppers who prioritise fibre
You want an option with more fibre within the biscuit range, and pay attention to the grains it contains. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g; a higher fibre content doesn’t, by itself, tell you anything about the rest of the nutritional profile.
For shoppers who want to avoid added sugar
You’re looking for a digestive that doesn’t list added sugar among its ingredients. If you choose one with sweeteners, also check the information about polyols and any warnings on the packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide what matters most for your coffee break: a classic biscuit, the grains it contains, added sugar or availability at your usual shop. Then compare the relevant label information for the exact variety.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Classic flavour and texture | Check the ingredients and the serving size per biscuit. McVitie's Original lists one 14,7 g biscuit as a serving. | If you mainly want a plain, crunchy digestive with your coffee, other product features may matter less. For around 37% of consumers, that classic biscuit profile comes first. |
| Fibre and wholegrain ingredients | Compare fibre per 100 g and check how much wholemeal flour is listed in the ingredients. Jumbo lists 5,8 g of fibre per 100 g for Digestive Volkoren. | If the grains in a biscuit determine my choice, I want one with a demonstrably higher fibre content than a plain variety. For around 27% of consumers, fibre and wholegrain content are the main priorities. |
| Added sugar | Check the ingredients, sugars and carbohydrates per 100 g, and find out which sweeteners and polyols the variety contains. | If you want to avoid added sugar, it’s also important to check what’s in a 0% sugar variety. Around 18% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
| Availability | Check whether the exact variety is available at your usual shop and whether it’s sold in store only. | If you want to pick up biscuits during your regular shop, a variety that isn’t stocked there won’t be much use. For around 18% of consumers, practical availability is the deciding factor. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming all digestives are the same because of their name
Fibre content varies between varieties. Jumbo lists 3,1 g of fibre per 100 g for Krokante Digestive and 5,8 g for Digestive Volkoren; sugar and salt levels are also worth checking on the label.
Always compare the nutritional information on the same per-100 g basis, and check which grains are listed in the ingredients.
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Reading only the front of a 0% sugar pack
Albert Heijn lists sweeteners and 14 g of polyols per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% suiker. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the ingredients, carbohydrates, polyols and the warning on the packaging too, especially if you’re having more than one biscuit.
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Guessing allergens from the product name
The digestives reviewed contain wheat. Some varieties also state that they may contain other gluten-containing grains or milk; this varies by product.
If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the allergen information on the exact pack, including any ‘may contain’ statements.
Brands to consider
McVitie's
Original is a classic digestive; the range reviewed also includes chocolate varieties.
- For Original, Jumbo lists 3,7 g of fibre and 15,1 g of sugars per 100 g.
- Original contains wheat and may contain milk. Check the label of the variety you choose.
Albert Heijn
The range reviewed includes a plain AH Digestive and AH Digestive 0% suiker.
- For the plain variety, Albert Heijn lists 3,2 g of fibre and 16 g of sugars per 100 g; the product page labels it vegan and lactose-free.
- The 0% variety contains polyols and carries a warning about excessive consumption. Both varieties reviewed contain wheat.
Jumbo
Krokante Digestive and Digestive Volkoren are two varieties reviewed, with different grain compositions.
- Jumbo lists 5,8 g of fibre per 100 g for Digestive Volkoren, compared with 3,1 g for Krokante Digestive.
- Both varieties reviewed contain wheat and gluten. As well as fibre, compare the rest of the nutritional information for the exact variety.
Sondey
Sondey Digestives is a Lidl variety sold in a 400 g pack.
- Lidl lists this variety as available in store only.
- For details of the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens, check the label on the pack.
Biscotto
ALDI describes Biscotto Digestive Biscuits as crunchy wheat biscuits.
- According to ALDI, a 400 g pack contains around 27 biscuits.
- Check the pack for the full nutritional information and allergen details for the variety you’re buying.
Lotus Biscoff
A speculoos biscuit to enjoy with coffee, not a digestive.
- Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy biscuit with a caramelised flavour profile.
- The variety reviewed lists 38,1 g of sugars and 1,3 g of fibre per 100 g, and contains wheat and soya.
Digestives at Joybuy
If you’re looking for a classic Original digestive to enjoy with your coffee, this is the variety shown. Use the nutritional information and allergen details to decide whether this particular biscuit suits your needs.
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McVities Digestive Original, 400 g
An Original digestive for anyone looking for a plain biscuit to enjoy with coffee.
Joybuy lists 3,7 g of fibre and 15,1 g of sugars per 100 g. The product information reviewed lists wheat and states that it may contain milk; if you have an allergy, check the current label.
Frequently asked questions
Does the name ‘digestive’ tell you how much fibre it contains?
No. To find out, compare the nutritional information for the exact variety. Jumbo lists 3,1 g of fibre per 100 g for Krokante Digestive and 5,8 g per 100 g for Digestive Volkoren; the product name alone doesn’t show this difference.
Is AH Digestive 0% suiker also free from carbohydrates?
No. Albert Heijn lists 63 g of carbohydrates, 14 g of polyols and 0,3 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% suiker. Also check the warning on the pack about excessive consumption.
Which allergens should I check in a digestive?
Check the allergen information on the exact pack: the AH and Jumbo digestives reviewed contain wheat, while McVitie's Original contains wheat and may contain milk. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods.
How can I keep an opened pack of digestives crunchy?
Seal the pack carefully after opening and follow the storage advice on the packaging. Albert Heijn recommends keeping its digestives in a sealed tin; Jumbo advises storing its variety tightly sealed and in a dark place.