Choose a digestive biscuit for your afternoon coffee based on what matters most: fibre in this type of biscuit, fewer listed sugars or a specific gluten-free label. A wholemeal version may contain more fibre without being low in sugar; with a 0% sugar version, it’s also worth checking the polyols and any warning on the label. If you’re over 70, consider the portion and your overall diet too, rather than assuming a biscuit is a nutritious snack.
If you’d like something with your afternoon coffee, you can weigh up the nutritional value of a biscuit against the rest of your day’s diet. In its guidance on nutrition for older people, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses that foods high in energy and low in nutrients should not displace other foods.
If you mainly want to compare the listed sugars, it’s also important to consider the portion, polyols and any warnings on the label. Albert Heijn’s product information for AH Digestive 0% sugar shows why the name alone doesn’t tell the whole story.
A standard digestive biscuit made with wheat won’t be suitable. Check for an explicit gluten-free label every time you buy, as well as the other allergens in your chosen product.
First decide which feature matters most for your coffee break. Then compare the nutrition information per 100 g with the amount you’ll actually eat.
| What to consider | Check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and wholemeal | Compare fibre per 100 g and per biscuit; check the sugars and ingredients too. Jumbo lists 5,8 g of fibre per 100 g for Digestive Volkoren and 3,1 g for its Krokante Digestive Biscuit. | With my coffee, I mainly want to focus on fibre within this type of biscuit, without assuming wholemeal means low sugar. For around 37% of shoppers, choosing with fibre in mind is the top priority. |
| Listed sugars | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. For a 0% sugar version, check the polyols and any warnings too. Albert Heijn lists 0,3 g of sugars and 14 g of polyols per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% sugar. | If I want fewer listed sugars, I want to know what else is in the biscuit before choosing a portion. Around 36% of shoppers give this sugar criterion top priority. |
| Gluten-free labelling | Look for an explicit gluten-free label and check the full allergen list. Albert Heijn sells Schär Digestive Landtaler as gluten-free and wheat-free, but it contains soya and may contain egg and lupin. | If I need a gluten-free biscuit, I can’t use a standard wheat digestive as an alternative. For around 9% of shoppers, this product feature is the main requirement. |
| Packaging and portions | Check the pack size, number of portions and storage instructions. Jumbo lists Digestive Volkoren as 400 g, with around 27 portions per pack. | For regular coffee breaks, I want to choose a pack with portions and storage instructions that work in practice once it’s opened. Around 18% of shoppers consider this the most important factor. |
A higher fibre content doesn’t tell you how much sugar, saturated fat or energy the same digestive biscuit contains. For example, Jumbo’s product information for Digestive Volkoren also lists 19,3 g of sugars per 100 g.
Compare the full nutrition information per 100 g, then check how many biscuits make up a typical portion.
According to Albert Heijn, AH Digestive 0% sugar contains polyols. Its product page warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
As well as the listed sugars, check the ingredients, the amount of polyols and the warning on the packaging.
The standard digestive biscuits from Jumbo and McVitie's that we looked at contain wheat or gluten. Even an explicitly gluten-free product may contain other allergens.
If you need a gluten-free option, always check the label and complete allergen information for the exact version you’re buying.
A larger pack doesn’t necessarily mean it offers a suitable portion for coffee. The Schär pack we looked at contains 150 g; the standard packs from Jumbo and McVitie's that we looked at contain 400 g.
As well as the pack size, check the portion information and instructions for storing the biscuits after opening.
This own-label range includes Krokante Digestive Biscuit and Digestive Volkoren, both in 400 g packs.
Its own-label range includes AH Digestive 0% sugar for shoppers who want to compare the listed sugars first.
Digestives Original is a standard wheat digestive that you can compare with versions chosen for specific fibre, sugar or gluten-free requirements.
Albert Heijn sells Digestive Landtaler as gluten-free and wheat-free.
No. Consider a digestive biscuit as part of your overall diet, rather than judging it by its name or fibre content alone. In its guidance on nutrition for older people, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that foods high in energy and low in nutrients can displace other foods. So it’s worth considering the portion and what else someone eats during the day.
No. The name alone doesn’t tell you enough about what’s in it or what a suitable portion might be. Albert Heijn lists 0,3 g of sugars and 14 g of polyols per 100 g, and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
The standard digestive biscuits from Jumbo and McVitie's that we looked at contain wheat or gluten, so they aren’t suitable alternatives. Albert Heijn sells Schär Digestive Landtaler as gluten-free and wheat-free, but it contains soya and may contain egg and lupin. Always read the label on the pack you choose.
Follow the instructions on the pack for your chosen version. For the digestive biscuits we looked at, Jumbo recommends sealing the pack well after opening and storing it in a dark place.
