Breakfast eaters comparing fibre content
You’re looking for something crunchy, but don’t want to rely only on words such as ‘digestive’ or ‘wholegrain’. Compare the sugars and salt on the nutrition table for the variety you choose, too.
Who might find this choice important?
Breakfast eaters who enjoy choosing toppings
You want a base for sweet or savoury toppings. Small pieces of Melba toast and larger, light rusks offer different sizes and eating experiences.
Shoppers with an allergy or dietary requirement
You need to know which ingredients and allergens are in the exact variety you’re buying. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses the importance of checking food labels if you have a food allergy. Information about ingredients such as wheat, milk, soya and oats varies from product to product.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want a biscuit to enjoy alongside breakfast or a crunchy base for toppings. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients of varieties suited to that use.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and nutritional value | Compare fibre, sugars and salt per 100 g, and consider how much you’ll actually eat. Jumbo lists 5,8 g of fibre, 19,3 g of sugars and 1,15 g of salt per 100 g for Digestive Volkoren. | If I’m considering a wholegrain variety, I want to look beyond the name on the front. For around 45% of consumers, this comparison of nutritional values is the most important factor. |
| Toppings and size | Choose between a biscuit to eat on its own, small pieces of Melba toast for toppings, and round rusks. Also consider the pack size. | I’m looking for a crunchy base for my toppings in a suitable size. For around 33% of consumers, this use is the deciding factor. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety, including any ‘may contain’ information. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, I want to check the packaging before considering taste or texture. This is the main concern for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a digestive biscuit is an obvious substitute for toast with toppings
A digestive is a biscuit. If you’re mainly looking for a base for toppings, how you plan to use it matters more than the name ‘digestive’.
First decide whether you’ll eat it on its own or add toppings. Then compare the nutritional value per 100 g and the amount you plan to serve of products suited to that use.
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Relying only on ‘wholegrain’ or ‘gluten-free’
A claim on the front doesn’t answer all your questions about sugars, salt or other allergens. For example, Jumbo lists milk, oats and soya in its gluten-free Digestives Melkchocolade.
Check the full ingredients list, nutrition table and allergen information for the flavour and pack you’ve chosen.
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Only considering the shape after you’ve bought it
Melba toast is designed for small topped bites, while rusks offer a larger, light, round base. A biscuit has a different role at the table.
Think in advance about what you want to add toppings to, and whether you’d also like to serve a biscuit with coffee or tea.
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Assuming every product contains iodised baker’s salt
A general rule about using baker’s salt won’t tell you which ingredients are in a specific digestive biscuit, toast or rusk.
For information about a particular product, check the ingredients on the current packaging or ask the manufacturer.
Relevant brands and shops
Bolletje
Bolletje presents Echte Beschuit as a product for breakfast and lunch.
- A relevant choice if you’re looking for a round rusk to use as a base for toppings.
- Bolletje’s own description of Echte Beschuit says nothing about the nutritional value or allergens of other Bolletje varieties, so check the packaging.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists AH Digestive, AH Digestive volkoren met tarwebloem and McVitie’s Digestives original as separate products, among others.
- The different varieties make it worthwhile to compare ingredients and nutritional values.
- Albert Heijn warns that product information can change. Check the packaging of the variety you buy.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists regular, wholegrain, chocolate and gluten-free digestive biscuit varieties.
- The product information for the varieties reviewed lists ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
- Allergens vary by variety: the Digestive Volkoren reviewed contains wheat, while the gluten-free Digestives Melkchocolade lists milk, oats and soya.
Lidl
Lidl lists Digestives naturel and Melba toast as different types of product.
- This distinction can help you choose between a biscuit and small pieces of toast for toppings.
- Check the packaging of the variety you choose in store.
ALDI
ALDI lists Biscotto Digestive Biscuits alongside rusks, toast and crackers.
- These product types offer different options for eating on their own or adding toppings.
- The range and availability of individual products may change.
Products for different breakfast choices
This selection of Joybuy products includes rusks, crackers, Melba toast and a digestive biscuit. Crackers are an extra option for toppings here, not the same product as Melba toast or rusks.
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Bolletje wholegrain rusks, 13 pieces
A round, crunchy base for serving rusks with toppings.
Pack of 13. If you have an allergy, check the current ingredients and allergen information.
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Bolletje Light wholegrain crackers, 190 g
A cracker option if you’re looking for a crunchy base for toppings instead of a digestive biscuit.
190 g pack. Compare the nutritional information and check the packaging if you have an allergy.
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Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers, 235 g
A rye cracker to consider when toppings are the main focus of breakfast.
235 g pack. If you need to avoid certain grains, check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
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Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g
Melba toast is ideal for small, crunchy bites with toppings.
100 g pack. Check the current nutritional information and allergen details for this variety.
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McVities Digestive Original, 400 g
A digestive biscuit for something crunchy with coffee or tea, rather than a base for generous toppings.
400 g pack. Compare sugars, salt and fibre on the label. If you have an allergy, check the ingredients too.
Frequently asked questions
Is a digestive biscuit the same as breakfast toast?
No. A digestive is a biscuit, while toast and Melba toast are different products you can use as a base for toppings. Rusks offer another light, round base for breakfast.
Does ‘wholegrain digestive’ tell me enough about its nutritional value?
No. Compare the sugars, salt, fibre and your portion size, too. Jumbo lists 5,8 g of fibre, 19,3 g of sugars and 1,15 g of salt per 100 g for Digestive Volkoren. Check the current packaging of the variety you’re buying.
What should I check if I need to avoid an allergen?
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety, even if ‘gluten-free’ appears on the front. For example, Jumbo lists milk, oats and soya in its gluten-free Digestives Melkchocolade.
Does all toast or every rusk contain iodised baker’s salt?
You can’t tell from the product category alone. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the conditions for using iodised baker’s salt, not the ingredients in every individual type of toast or rusk. Check the packaging or ask the manufacturer.
How should I store an opened pack of digestive biscuits?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen. For its Digestive Biscuit Pure Chocolade, Jumbo advises sealing the pack well after opening and storing it in a dark place.