Before choosing digestive biscuits to take with you, compare their fibre, sugars, saturated fat and salt per 100 g. Then make your choice based on the ingredients, allergens and pack size. A wholemeal variety may contain more fibre, while a low-sugar variety may contain polyols. If you need to avoid gluten, choose a product clearly labelled as gluten-free; digestive biscuits are not a complete replacement for lunch.
You want to take a biscuit with you and are mainly comparing fibre, sugars, saturated fat and salt. Nutritional values per 100 g give you a consistent basis for comparing packs of different sizes, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends when checking food labels.
You’re looking for a biscuit clearly labelled as gluten-free, and you’ll also check the ingredients for any other allergens that matter to you. A standard digestive made with wheat isn’t suitable if you need to avoid gluten.
You’re looking for a biscuit to enjoy on the go and choosing between a standard digestive, a wholemeal variety or another flavour. The pack size and nutritional information can help you make a more informed choice.
First, decide whether you need to avoid any ingredients or allergens. Then compare the nutritional values of suitable biscuits and consider which pack will be practical to take with you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and nutritional value | Compare similar biscuits per 100 g for fibre, sugars, saturated fat and salt. According to Jumbo, the Digestive Volkoren reviewed contains 5.8 g of fibre per 100 g, compared with 3.1 g in the Krokante Digestive. | If I’m mainly looking at fibre, I don’t want the front of the pack to distract me from the rest of the nutritional information. This comparison is the top priority for around 36% of shoppers. |
| Gluten and allergens | If needed, check that the product is labelled gluten-free and read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack. The Schär Digestive Landtaler reviewed is sold as gluten-free, but contains soya and may contain lupin and egg. | If I need to avoid gluten or another allergen, I need to be sure that this specific product is suitable for me. This is the first concern for an estimated 29% of shoppers. |
| Pack size and portability | Check the pack contents, any portion guidance and storage instructions once opened. Lidl lists its plain Digestives in a 400 g pack, available in store. | I’d rather take an amount that suits my lunch plans than put a large pack in my bag without thinking. This practical consideration is the deciding factor for around 21% of shoppers. |
| Flavour and variety | Compare a chocolate variety or speculoos separately with a plain digestive, including sugars, fibre and allergens. Speculoos is a different type of biscuit, not a wholemeal digestive. | If I’m mainly after a particular flavour, I’ll choose that variety deliberately rather than assuming it has the same ingredients as a plain one. Flavour is the main reason for around 14% of shoppers. |
According to Jumbo, the Jumbo Krokante Digestive reviewed contains 3.1 g of fibre per 100 g, while Jumbo Digestive Volkoren contains 5.8 g. So the product name alone doesn’t tell you how much fibre a particular variety contains.
Compare similar biscuits per 100 g, and look at sugars, saturated fat and salt as well as fibre.
According to Albert Heijn, the AH Digestive 0% suiker reviewed contains 14 g of polyols per 100 g. The pack carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
As well as the sugar content, read the full nutritional information and the warning on the pack.
According to Lotus Bakeries Nederland, the Lotus Biscoff reviewed contains 38.1 g of sugars and 1.3 g of fibre per 100 g. Jumbo lists 27.0 g of sugars and 12.9 g of saturated fat per 100 g for the McVitie's variety with white chocolate reviewed. These are separate recipes, with their own ingredients and nutritional values.
Choose one of these varieties for its flavour, and check the label again if nutritional values or allergens matter to you.
The standard digestives reviewed contain wheat. Other allergens may also matter, even in a product labelled gluten-free: the Schär Digestive Landtaler reviewed contains soya and may contain lupin and egg.
If you need to avoid a particular ingredient, check the current gluten-free labelling, ingredients and allergen information for the specific product.
The 400 g Digestives Original reviewed is a classic wheat biscuit to compare with other digestives.
The AH Digestive and AH Digestive 0% suiker reviewed show why you should assess two varieties in the same range separately.
The Krokante Digestive and Digestive Volkoren reviewed are two 400 g varieties with different fibre levels.
The Digestive Landtaler reviewed is sold as a gluten-free biscuit in a pack of 3 × 50 g.
The Original Speculoos reviewed is a speculoos biscuit, not a digestive. It may suit you if you’re choosing based on flavour, but it isn’t an equivalent substitute for a wholemeal digestive.
ALDI describes the Biscotto Digestive Biscuits reviewed as wheat biscuits in a 400 g pack containing around 27 biscuits.
Lidl lists the plain Digestives reviewed in a 400 g pack, available in store.
This selection features an original digestive for anyone looking to take a classic biscuit with them. Compare the nutritional values and check whether the pack suits how you plan to store your biscuits on the go.
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A classic digestive for anyone who wants to take a biscuit as part of their lunch on the go.
The product information lists 3.7 g of fibre, 15.1 g of sugars, 10.1 g of saturated fat and 1.3 g of salt per 100 g; one biscuit is listed as a 14.7 g portion.
Contains wheat and may contain milk. Check the current label and make sure the pack suits how you plan to take the biscuits with you.
No, don’t rely on digestive biscuits as a complete lunch replacement. Think about what else you’re taking with you; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also suggests options such as bread and wraps if you get hungry between meals.
Compare the nutritional values per 100 g so that different portion sizes don’t skew the comparison. Check fibre, sugars, saturated fat and salt, then read the ingredients and allergen information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends comparing products per 100 g.
Don’t choose a standard digestive without checking: the standard varieties reviewed contain wheat. Look for a product clearly labelled as gluten-free, and check the current label for any other allergens that matter to you.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and seal it securely after opening. The product information reviewed recommends storing the biscuits in a cool, dry place or in a sealed tin.
