Evening snackers looking for a plain biscuit
You’re after an uncoated digestive and want to know how the serving size on the pack compares with the snack you have in mind.
Who might find this choice useful?
Shoppers comparing sugar content
You’re looking beyond a claim such as 0% sugar, and checking the ingredients and nutritional information for both original and sugar-free varieties.
Shoppers with allergies or dietary requirements
You check the latest label before choosing a digestive. The original varieties reviewed from AH, Jumbo and McVitie's contain wheat.
What should you look for?
First decide whether you want a plain biscuit, less added sugar or chocolate. Then compare the serving size and label for the specific variety you’re buying.
Original digestive
Choose this when: you want a plain, uncoated biscuit and would like to decide on a serving in advance.
Bear in mind: original doesn’t mean sugar-free or gluten-free; the AH and Jumbo varieties reviewed contain wheat.
No added sugar
Choose this when: the amount of added sugar is your main point of comparison.
Bear in mind: AH Digestive 0% suiker contains polyols; the label warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Chocolate-coated
Choose this when: you specifically want a chocolate digestive rather than a plain biscuit.
Bear in mind: compare the nutritional information and allergens for this variety separately from those for original digestives.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving size | Check the serving size on the pack and decide how many biscuits you want to have. AH Digestive and Jumbo Krokante Digestive both list a 15 g serving. | I want a plain biscuit in the evening and to know how much I’m having in advance; serving size is the main consideration for around 44% of shoppers making this choice. |
| Nutritional information | Compare sugars, energy and saturates per 100 g and, where listed, per serving. For varieties with sweeteners, check the ingredients and warnings too. | When choosing between original, chocolate and no-added-sugar varieties, I want to know what the differences on the label mean for my choice; around 33% of shoppers prioritise this comparison. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on the current pack; don’t assume a product is suitable for your diet based on the name digestive. | If I have an allergy or dietary requirement, I need to check first whether I can choose the biscuit; suitability is the top priority for around 23% of shoppers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming the name digestive tells you whether it’s a suitable snack
The product name doesn’t tell you how much sugar, energy, saturated fat or salt a particular biscuit contains. Original, chocolate and sugar-free varieties also have different nutritional profiles.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per stated serving, then choose the variety that matches what you want to check.
-
Overlooking sweeteners when a product says 0% sugar
According to Albert Heijn, AH Digestive 0% suiker contains no added sugars per 100 g, but it does contain polyols. The packaging warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
As well as checking the claim on the front, read the ingredients and warnings before choosing this variety.
-
Relying on the allergen information from a previous purchase
The original digestives reviewed from AH, Jumbo and McVitie's contain wheat. Check the ingredients and warnings that matter to you on the product you’re buying.
Check the current label every time, including any warnings about cross-contamination.
Brands to consider
AH
Albert Heijn sells both an original AH Digestive and a 400 g pack of AH Digestive 0% suiker. That means you can compare two different label choices from the same own-brand range.
- The original AH Digestive lists a 15 g serving.
- The original variety contains wheat. The 0%-sugar variety contains polyols and carries a warning about excessive consumption.
Jumbo
Jumbo Krokante Digestive Biscuit is a plain own-brand option sold in a 400 g pack.
- Jumbo lists a 15 g serving and around 27 servings per pack.
- The product information lists wheat and gluten; check the label if these affect your choice.
McVitie's
McVitie's Digestives Original, 400 g, is a branded option for anyone looking for an uncoated digestive.
- The ingredients listed by Jumbo for Original include 16% wholemeal wheat flour.
- This Original variety contains wheat and may contain milk; check the current label if you have an allergy or dietary requirement.
Verkade
Verkade Verk digestive puur shows what a digestive with dark chocolate is like as a separate variety.
- Albert Heijn lists 30% dark chocolate for this specific variety.
- The product information consulted lists milk, soya and wheat. Check current availability if you’re looking for this variety.
Biscotto
ALDI describes Biscotto Digestive Biscuits as crunchy wheat biscuits, with around 27 biscuits in a pack of around 400 g.
- The stated pack size and number of biscuits can help you work out what to expect.
- Check the nutritional information and allergens on the pack before comparing this variety with another.
Digestive biscuits for a late-night snack at Joybuy
Below you’ll find an original digestive and two chocolate digestives. First choose between uncoated, milk chocolate and dark chocolate; then compare the pack and the information on the product you want to buy.
Image unavailable
McVitie's Digestive Original, 400 g
An uncoated digestive if you’re looking for a plain biscuit for a late-night snack.
Pack size: 400 g. Check the serving size and allergen information on the current pack if these affect your choice.
Image unavailable
McVitie's Digestives Milk Chocolate, 266 g
A milk chocolate digestive if you specifically want a chocolate variety rather than an original biscuit.
Pack size: 266 g. Check the serving size, nutritional information and allergens that matter to you on the pack.
Image unavailable
McVitie's Digestives with Dark Chocolate, 266 g
A dark chocolate digestive for anyone who prefers that flavour to an uncoated biscuit.
Pack size: 266 g. Compare the serving size and nutritional information with the variety you’d otherwise choose, and check the allergens on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Does the name digestive tell you whether it’s suitable as an evening snack?
No. The name doesn’t tell you whether a particular biscuit is right for you. The Voedingscentrum points out that snacks can contain a lot of sugar, salt or saturated fat, so check the ingredients, nutritional information and serving size for the product itself.
Are original digestives gluten-free?
Don’t assume so: the original digestives reviewed from AH, Jumbo and McVitie's contain wheat. If you need a gluten-free product, check that the current label explicitly confirms its suitability.
What does 0% sugar mean on AH Digestive 0% suiker?
Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars and 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Digestive 0% suiker. The variety contains polyols and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect; compare the rest of the nutritional information and the ingredients too.
Where can I find the allergens in a pack of digestives?
Check the allergen information on the current packaging. According to the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information must appear on the label of pre-packed products; also read any warnings that are relevant to you.
How should I store an opened pack of digestives?
Seal the pack well after opening and follow the storage instructions on your own packaging. Albert Heijn recommends keeping AH Digestive in a sealed tin; Jumbo advises sealing its crunchy digestives well and storing them in a dark place.