Choose a plain digestive if you’re looking for a classic biscuit that you can portion yourself for a snack separate from your workout. If you’re having a snack shortly before exercise, consider the portion size and what you find comfortable to eat. Also check the nutritional information and allergens on the packaging of the exact variant you’re buying. A digestive biscuit is not a meal replacement.
If you fancy a biscuit while you’re out and about, when you eat it matters at least as much as the product name. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends having a meal around two to three hours before exercise; a digestive biscuit is not a substitute for that meal.
You can portion out a pack of digestive biscuits at home. Check how to keep the biscuits dry and protected while you’re out: a large pack doesn’t necessarily mean the biscuits are individually wrapped.
If you have dietary restrictions, it’s the exact variant that matters, not just the brand or the word ‘digestive’. Read the allergen information on the current packaging, even if you’ve bought a product with the same name before.
First decide when you want to eat the biscuit and how you’ll take it with you. Then compare the packaging and nutritional information of the variants you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| When you eat it and portion size | Check the serving size and nutritional information per serving, especially if you want to eat the biscuit shortly before exercise. | If I eat something just before a workout, I want to choose an amount that feels right for me. This is the main consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Taking it with you and storage | Check the pack weight and storage instructions; work out how to pack individual biscuits so they stay dry and protected. | I want to prepare portions at home without the biscuits getting damp or breaking in my bag. This is the most important consideration for around 36% of consumers. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the allergen information for the exact variant, including any warnings about traces. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be sure this particular pack meets my requirements. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this check. |
| Flavour and product type | Check whether you’re choosing a plain digestive, a chocolate variant or another type of biscuit; compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per serving. | I want to choose a flavour I’ll enjoy taking with me, but not mistake speculoos for a digestive. For around 14% of consumers, the variant is the first thing they consider. |
The name ‘digestive’ doesn’t tell you how much you’ll find comfortable to eat at a particular time. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends planning a meal around two to three hours before exercise.
Decide in advance whether you want to eat the biscuit before or separately from your workout, and choose a portion that fits your usual eating habits.
Standard wheat digestives and variants labelled separately don’t necessarily have the same ingredients. McVitie's lists wheat and possible traces of milk and other cereals containing gluten for Digestive Original.
Check the label on the exact flavour and pack every time you buy it; don’t rely on the product name alone.
Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff Original as speculoos. It’s a different type of biscuit, with its own ingredients list and nutritional information.
Only compare Biscoff if you’re also considering speculoos as a snack for your gym bag.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. Albert Heijn points this out for its Digestive product, and shop ranges can vary too.
Read the packaging of the product you’re actually buying and check the best-before date before packing portions for later.
Compare the variants listed as separate products: pack size, ingredients and nutritional information can differ between variants. A brand name alone won’t tell you which biscuit is right for your snack break.
Digestive Original is a classic plain variant to compare with supermarket own-brand digestives.
AH Digestive is an own-brand variant in a 400 g pack.
Jumbo lists both a 400 g Krokante Digestive Biscuit and a separate variant called Lekker Vrij van Gluten Digestives Melkchocolade.
Lidl lists Sondey Digestives as a 400 g product.
ALDI describes Biscotto Digestive Biscuits as crunchy wheat biscuits and lists 300 g and 400 g variants.
This product selection is a good match if you’re looking for a classic plain digestive that you can portion yourself for a snack separate from your workout.
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A classic digestive for anyone who wants to prepare a portion at home to take with them later, without using the biscuit as a complete meal for exercise.
400 g pack. If you have an allergy, check the current label on this pack and work out how to transport individual biscuits so they stay dry and protected.
A digestive can make a small snack, but it won’t necessarily feel right just before exercise. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends having a meal around two to three hours before exercise. If you’re eating later, consider the portion size and what you’re used to eating.
No, don’t treat a digestive as a meal replacement. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of getting enough protein after intense exercise, so consider your diet as a whole rather than focusing on a single biscuit.
Pack a small portion in a sealed container and protect the biscuits from moisture and breakage. Joybuy’s product information for McVities Digestive Original recommends storing it in a dry, preferably cool place; check the instructions on your own pack too.
Yes. If you have an allergy or strict dietary requirements, read the label on every new pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of allergen information on food products, while Albert Heijn says the product details for its Digestive may change.
