Fans of a classic biscuit
You want a plain digestive to serve with coffee or tea, without a chocolate coating or strong caramel flavour.
Who are these biscuits for?
Those comparing nutritional information
You’re looking for a wholemeal version and comparing fibre, sugars, saturated fat and portion size, rather than relying on the word ‘digestive’ alone.
Guests with dietary or allergen requirements
If you’re choosing a biscuit for someone with a specific dietary requirement, the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack are what matter most.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to serve a plain biscuit, a wholemeal version or something sweeter. Any dietary or allergen requirements should take priority over flavour.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Classic flavour | Check whether it’s a plain digestive and how many biscuits you want to serve each guest. | I want a biscuit with my coffee or tea that has no chocolate or strong caramel flavour. This classic serving choice comes first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Compare fibre per 100 g and per biscuit, and check sugars and saturated fat too. | When choosing between regular and wholemeal digestives, I want to know how much fibre there is in a portion. This is the main consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statement on the current packaging. | If a guest has a dietary requirement, I need to be able to check whether this particular biscuit is suitable. This check is the most important factor for around 20% of consumers. |
| Something sweeter | Check the type of biscuit, its chocolate coating or flavour, and the nutritional information per 100 g. | I’m looking for a biscuit with chocolate or a pronounced caramelised flavour to enjoy alongside my drink. This preference is the deciding factor for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Taking ‘digestive’ as a nutritional claim
The products reviewed vary in fibre, sugars and saturated fat. The word ‘wholemeal’ also doesn’t tell you everything about a biscuit’s nutritional value.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and, where provided, per biscuit. The Voedingscentrum notes that nutritional values can vary between brands.
-
Confusing ‘gluten-free’ with ‘free from all allergens’
Jumbo lists milk, oats and soya for its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Digestives Melkchocolade, and also states that it may contain nuts.
Check the allergen information on the pack you’re using before buying and serving.
-
Relying on an old product description
Ingredients and nutritional information can change, so Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging.
Read the current label again if a dietary requirement, allergen or exact nutritional value is important to your choice.
Brands to consider
McVitie's
The Digestives Original reviewed is a wheat biscuit sold in a 400 g pack.
- According to Jumbo’s product information, this version contains 3,7 g of fibre and 15,1 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The same version contains wheat, may contain milk and has 10,1 g of saturated fat per 100 g.
Albert Heijn
AH Digestive is a regular 400 g digestive biscuit that Albert Heijn describes as vegan and lactose-free.
- Albert Heijn lists 3,2 g of fibre, 16 g of sugars and 1,8 g of saturated fat per 100 g.
- This version contains wheat and may contain barley, oats and rye. Check the current label if you have dietary or allergen requirements.
Jumbo
The Jumbo versions reviewed include a wholemeal digestive and a separate gluten-free digestive with milk chocolate.
- Jumbo Digestive Volkoren lists 5,8 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The gluten-free chocolate version lists milk, oats and soya, and may contain nuts. ‘Gluten-free’ does not apply to all Jumbo digestives.
Biscotto
ALDI Nederland describes Biscotto Digestive Biscuits as crisp wheat biscuits in a 400 g pack containing around 27 biscuits.
- The stated pack contents are useful if you want to set out individual biscuits for guests.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack if they’re important for your guests.
Sondey
Lidl describes Sondey as a brand with a range of biscuits and cookies. Lidl also lists a separate 400 g product called Digestives naturel.
- The plain version is worth considering if you don’t want a chocolate coating.
- Check the packaging of the specific product for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Biscoff is an alternative coffee biscuit, not a digestive. Lotus Bakeries describes it as crisp and caramelised.
- A different type of biscuit to consider if you’re after a pronounced caramel flavour with your coffee.
- Check the label of the specific product if fibre, nutritional value or allergens are important to you.
Digestive biscuits to enjoy with coffee or tea
This Joybuy selection includes a plain digestive and two chocolate digestives. Choosing a wholemeal or gluten-free version requires a separate check of the product and its label.
Image unavailable
McVities Digestive Original, 400 g
A plain digestive if you want to serve a biscuit without a chocolate coating with coffee or tea.
For McVitie's Digestives Original, Jumbo lists 3,7 g of fibre, 15,1 g of sugars and 10,1 g of saturated fat per 100 g. If you have an allergy, check the current label: this version contains wheat and may contain milk.
Image unavailable
McVitie's Digestives Milk Chocolate, 266 g
A milk chocolate digestive for anyone who wants to serve a chocolate biscuit with coffee or tea.
The pack contains 266 g. Check the current allergen information before serving, particularly if wheat, milk or soya is a concern for any of your guests.
Image unavailable
McVitie's Digestives with Dark Chocolate, 266 g
A dark chocolate digestive if you’d prefer this chocolate version to a plain or milk chocolate biscuit.
The pack contains 266 g. If you have an allergy, check the current information about wheat, milk and soya on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name ‘digestive’ tell you about nutritional value?
The name doesn’t tell you how much fibre, sugar or saturated fat a biscuit contains. Compare the nutritional information for the versions you’re considering per 100 g and, if provided, per biscuit. The Voedingscentrum notes that nutritional values vary between brands.
Can I serve a regular digestive to someone who eats gluten-free?
Don’t assume it’s suitable: the regular digestives reviewed contain wheat. Only choose a product based on the current packaging of that specific item, and check the other allergens too. For example, Jumbo lists milk, oats and soya in its gluten-free milk chocolate digestives.
Where can I find allergen information when sharing biscuits?
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you’re going to serve. The Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit states that the required allergens must be listed on labels for prepacked foods. Also read any ‘may contain’ information that’s relevant to your guest.
How should I store digestive biscuits after coffee?
Seal an opened pack tightly and follow the storage instructions for that specific product. Joybuy advises storing McVities Digestive Original biscuits in a dry place, preferably somewhere cool.