Of the digestives compared, choose a wholemeal option if fibre content is your main deciding factor. But also compare sugars, saturated fat, salt and the portion per biscuit. If you’re looking for the taste of a classic digestive or a caramelised biscuit, take that preference into account too, without assuming that the name or packaging means it has particular nutritional benefits.
You want to compare digestives by fibre per 100 g and per biscuit. You’ll also want to check whether wholemeal flour is listed in the ingredients, rather than assuming the name ‘digestive’ tells you anything about its fibre content.
Whether you’re spending a day at home or travelling during the school holidays, you want to be able to decide in advance how many biscuits to take or serve. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends small portions of sweet treats and set snack times for children.
You might be looking for a classic digestive to enjoy with tea or coffee, or a biscuit with a distinctive caramelised flavour for a treat. Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy biscuit with that flavour.
When choosing biscuits for the autumn half-term, it helps to decide what matters most to you first, then compare products using the same nutritional basis. To work out how much you’re actually eating, check the weight of each biscuit too.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and wholemeal ingredients | Compare fibre per 100 g and per biscuit; check which grains are listed in the ingredients. | If fibre is the deciding factor for me, I want to know how much one biscuit contributes and whether it contains wholemeal flour. Around 40% of consumers put fibre and wholemeal ingredients first when choosing. |
| Portion and snack time | Check the weight of each biscuit and the nutritional information per portion; decide in advance how many you’ll serve. | For a day out or a day at home, I want to be able to set out a portion instead of dipping into the pack each time. Portion planning is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Taste | Choose between a classic digestive and a caramelised biscuit; don’t use flavour claims as a substitute for nutritional information. | For a treat, I mainly want a biscuit that suits the flavour I’m in the mood for. Taste is the first consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Check both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ on the current packaging; verify any dietary claim separately. | If I need to avoid an allergen, I need to be able to rely on the ingredient information, so taste comes second. Around 10% of consumers give this check top priority. |
The name doesn’t tell you how much fibre a biscuit contains. The product pages from Albert Heijn and Jumbo list 3.2 g, 3.7 g and 5.8 g of fibre per 100 g for the digestives compared; sugar and salt levels also vary between options.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then check the weight and nutritional information for each biscuit.
A prominent claim doesn’t tell you everything about a product’s ingredients. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the ingredients list and nutrition table too.
Before buying, read the ingredients, nutritional information and allergen statement on the packaging.
If you keep reaching into the pack, it’s easy to lose track of how many biscuits you’ve eaten. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends small portions of sweet treats and set snack times for children.
Set out a portion in advance that suits the planned snack time.
Albert Heijn describes AH Digestive as vegan and lactose-free, but it contains wheat and may contain barley, oats and rye. The McVitie’s Digestives Original reviewed contains wheat and may contain milk.
If you have an allergy, check the current packaging for the specific product, including the ‘may contain’ statement.
McVitie’s Digestives Original is a classic wheat biscuit. The pack described by Jumbo contains 400 g.
AH Digestive is a standard 400 g digestive, which Albert Heijn describes as vegan and lactose-free.
Jumbo’s range includes a Wholemeal Digestive made with wholemeal wheat flour, wheat flour and wheat flakes.
Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy biscuit with a caramelised flavour, often enjoyed with coffee.
These products include a classic digestive, two biscuits for a more indulgent treat and an oat biscuit. If fibre, portions or allergens matter to you, compare the packaging and nutritional information for the variety you choose.
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A classic digestive for anyone comparing fibre and portion size. For this Original, Jumbo’s product information lists 3.7 g of fibre per 100 g and a weight of 14.7 g per biscuit. The product contains wheat and may contain milk; if you have an allergy, check the current packaging.
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For a treat when caramelised flavour is the main attraction. If you want to plan a portion, check the weight of each biscuit on the packaging. Also check the latest allergen information; this product lists wheat and soya.
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A digestive topped with milk chocolate for anyone looking for a chocolate option. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check the portion details on the packaging. This product contains milk, soya and wheat.
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An alternative biscuit for anyone considering oat biscuits as well as digestives. Check the fibre per 100 g on the packaging before comparing it with digestives. The product information lists wheat, soya, oats, egg and sweeteners.
No. The name is not proof of any effect or a particular fibre content. If these matter to your choice, compare the fibre and ingredients on the label of the specific product.
Compare the fibre content per 100 g, then check the weight of each biscuit. Jumbo lists 5.8 g of fibre per 100 g for its Wholemeal Digestive; for the standard digestives compared, Albert Heijn and Jumbo list 3.2 g and 3.7 g per 100 g respectively.
Set out a small portion for a regular snack time instead of leaving the pack out all day. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends small portions of sweet treats and set times between meals for children.
No. Those qualities don’t mean a biscuit is wheat-free. Albert Heijn describes AH Digestive as vegan and lactose-free, but it contains wheat and may contain barley, oats and rye. If you have an allergy, always check the current packaging.
Seal opened digestives well and store them somewhere cool, dark and dry. For AH Digestive, Albert Heijn recommends storing the biscuits in a sealed tin after opening. For its Wholemeal Digestive, Jumbo advises sealing the packaging well and storing it in a dark place.
