Who are these options relevant to?

If you want to serve a classic biscuit

You’re looking for a digestive to enjoy with coffee or tea, or you want to crumble biscuits for a dessert base. Decide how many you’ll need in advance and compare pack sizes.

If you’re comparing fibre and grain content

As well as the product name, check the percentage of wholemeal wheat flour and the fibre per 100 g. A biscuit made with some wholemeal flour isn’t necessarily made entirely from wholemeal flour.

If you’re catering for guests with dietary requirements

Before buying, check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose. Wheat is a consideration for the digestives discussed here; the possible presence of milk may also matter to some guests.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’ll mainly serve the biscuits as they are or use them in a dessert. Then compare the nutritional information and check allergens for the guests who’ll be eating.

What to consider What should you check? Who is it important to?
How you’ll use them at brunch Decide whether you’ll serve the biscuits on their own or use them as a dessert base, then choose a pack size to suit. I want to choose one type of digestive that suits how I’m serving brunch. Around 42% of consumers prioritise versatility.
Fibre and wholemeal flour Compare the fibre per 100 g and the percentage of wholemeal flour in the ingredients list. When choosing between digestive varieties, I want to know how much wholemeal flour and fibre they actually contain. For around 33% of consumers, this is the main consideration.
Dietary requirements and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information; check claims such as vegan or lactose-free separately. Before serving, I need to know whether wheat or possible traces of milk could be a problem for my guests. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this check.

Common misconceptions

  • Assuming ‘wholemeal’ means ‘made entirely from wholemeal flour’

    Albert Heijn lists AH Digestive wholemeal with wheat flour as containing 37% wholemeal wheat flour; Jumbo lists Digestive Volkoren as containing 37.3%. The other ingredients also form part of the picture when choosing.

    Check the percentage in the ingredients list and compare the fibre per 100 g too, rather than relying on the product name alone.

  • Assuming vegan or lactose-free means gluten-free

    The two AH digestives discussed here are labelled vegan and lactose-free, but they contain wheat. Each of these labels answers a different question.

    If you need gluten-free biscuits, look for a specific gluten-free claim and check the allergen information on the pack.

  • Comparing fibre content alone

    A difference in fibre content doesn’t, on its own, tell you anything about the other nutritional values of a digestive. Sugar, saturated fat and salt may also influence your choice.

    Always compare the nutritional information for each variety on the same basis: per 100 g.

  • Leaving an opened pack out well before brunch

    Biscuits that aren’t properly sealed can lose their crunch.

    Open the pack shortly before serving, or seal any leftover biscuits well and store them in a cool, dry place.

Brands and product ranges compared

These product ranges include different types of digestive biscuits. Compare the details on the pack you actually choose.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists a standard AH Digestive and an AH Digestive wholemeal with wheat flour, both in 400 g packs.

  • The product information lists 3.2 g of fibre per 100 g for the standard variety and 6 g per 100 g for the variety containing 37% wholemeal wheat flour.
  • Both varieties contain wheat. Albert Heijn labels them vegan and lactose-free; check these claims on the pack you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Digestive Volkoren in a 400 g pack.

  • The product information lists 37.3% wholemeal wheat flour and 5.8 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The product contains wheat and may contain barley, oats and rye. Read the allergen information if this is relevant to a guest.

McVitie's

McVitie's Digestives Original is the classic branded option in this comparison, with a listed pack size of 400 g.

  • The product information gives figures for fibre, saturated fat and salt per 100 g, making them easy to compare.
  • This variety contains wheat and may contain milk. Check the current ingredients and allergen information too.

Digestive biscuits for a classic brunch

This product suits you if you’re looking for a classic digestive to serve with coffee or tea, or to use as a dessert base. Compare the label with those of other varieties if fibre, grain content or allergens are deciding factors.

McVitie's Digestive Original, 400 g pack

McVitie's Digestive Original 400 g

A classic digestive to enjoy with coffee or tea, or use as the base for a dessert.

400 g pack. Check the current label if wheat, gluten or the possible presence of milk is relevant to your guests.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a digestive with ‘wholemeal’ in the name made entirely from wholemeal flour?

Not necessarily. Albert Heijn lists its Digestive wholemeal with wheat flour as containing 37% wholemeal wheat flour, while Jumbo lists 37.3% for Digestive Volkoren. Read the full ingredients list if the grain content matters to your choice.

Can I choose a regular digestive for someone who needs to eat gluten-free?

Don’t assume so: the AH, Jumbo and McVitie's varieties discussed here contain wheat. If you need a gluten-free option, choose one specifically labelled as such and check the current label.

Does vegan also mean lactose-free or dairy-free?

Check these claims separately. Albert Heijn labels both of the AH digestives discussed here as vegan and lactose-free, while the product information for McVitie's Digestives Original says it may contain milk.

How can I keep digestive biscuits crunchy until Easter brunch?

Store the biscuits in a cool, dry place and seal an opened pack well. You can also wait until shortly before serving to open them.