Who are these biscuits for?

Festival-goers comparing fibre content

You’re looking for a biscuit to take on the go and want to compare wholemeal flour and fibre on the label, rather than relying on the name ‘digestive’.

Readers checking ingredients and allergens

Before buying, you want to check that the ingredients and allergen information suit your dietary needs or those of someone you’re sharing the biscuits with.

Groups taking biscuits along to share

You’re looking for packaging that’s easy to carry and share, and want to know how to keep the biscuits dry after opening.

What should you look for when choosing?

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Fibre Compare fibre and sugar per 100 g, and check what’s in the portion you plan to eat. If fibre is the deciding factor for me, I want to compare wholemeal and standard digestives on a like-for-like basis. For around 42% of consumers, fibre is the top priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack, including any ‘may contain’ statements. When I’m sharing biscuits, I want to be able to check whether the ingredients are suitable for others. This is the main concern for around 33% of consumers.
Taking along and sharing Check the pack size or individual portions, as well as the storage instructions for after opening. For a festival group, I want to be able to share the biscuits and keep the rest dry while carrying them. Ease of sharing and portability are the top priorities for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Taking ‘digestive’ as a health claim

    The product name doesn’t tell you how the biscuit fits into your diet as a whole. Consumentenbond also points out that a product making a fibre claim can still contain a lot of sugar.

    Compare the full nutritional information per 100 g and consider the portion you plan to eat too.

  • Only looking at the front of the pack

    A name or prominent claim on the packaging doesn’t give you all the information about ingredients, allergens or sugar.

    Read the ingredients list, allergen information and nutrition table on the pack you’re buying.

  • Ignoring the other ingredients when a sugar claim catches your eye

    AH Digestive 0% sugar contains polyols. Albert Heijn states that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Read the ingredients and product warning before choosing this variety for a festival.

  • Taking an opened pack along without protecting it

    Moisture can affect the crisp texture of biscuits.

    Take the pack along sealed, keep it dry and close it securely again after opening.

Brands compared

Lotus Biscoff

Speculoos for anyone who values flavour and packs with smaller portions.

  • Lotus lists packs with portions of two biscuits, among other options.
  • According to Lotus, Original contains 1,3 g of fibre and 38,1 g of sugar per 100 g; the 6-grain variety contains 4,7 g of fibre and 35,5 g of sugar per 100 g. Make sure you compare the right variety.

AH

Digestive varieties to compare ingredients and nutritional values side by side.

  • Albert Heijn lists 6 g of fibre per 100 g for AH Digestive wholemeal.
  • This wholemeal variety contains wheat and 20 g of sugar per 100 g. For AH Digestive 0% sugar, Albert Heijn warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Jumbo

Standard and wholemeal digestives for comparing like with like.

  • Jumbo lists 5,8 g of fibre per 100 g for Digestive Volkoren and 3,1 g per 100 g for Krokante Digestive.
  • For both varieties, check the pack for information about wheat, gluten and the possible presence of other grains.

Biscotto (ALDI)

Digestives in a larger pack for anyone sharing biscuits with a group.

  • ALDI describes a 400 g pack of Biscotto Digestive Biscuits containing around 27 biscuits.
  • Check the nutritional information and allergens on the current pack if they affect your choice.

Sondey (Lidl)

Lidl’s range of biscuits and snacks, worth considering if you’re also comparing digestives in store.

  • Lidl lists a 400 g pack of Digestives naturel.
  • Compare the ingredients, nutritional values and allergens on the specific pack; features of other Sondey products don’t necessarily apply to these digestives.

Digestives on Joybuy

This standard digestive is a good choice if you’re looking for a classic biscuit to take to a festival. Check the label if fibre or allergens are important factors in your decision.

McVities Digestive Original, 400 g pack

McVities Digestive Original 400 g

A standard digestive for anyone who wants to take a classic biscuit to a festival.

Pack size: 400 g. For McVitie’s Digestives Original, Jumbo lists 3,7 g of fibre per 100 g.

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, following the Joybuy product information. Check the current pack if allergens are relevant to you.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does the name ‘digestive’ tell you anything about what the biscuit does?

No. The name isn’t proof that a biscuit improves your digestion. Judge the product by its ingredients and full nutritional information, not its name.

How do I compare two packs of digestives?

Compare the nutritional values per 100 g so that different portion sizes don’t skew the comparison. Look at fibre and sugar, among other things, and read the ingredients list on both packs.

How can I keep biscuits crisp at a festival?

Ideally, take them in an unopened, undamaged pack and keep them dry. Seal the pack securely after opening, and follow the storage instructions on the specific pack too.

Where can I check allergens if I’m sharing biscuits?

Read the allergen information on the current pack, including any ‘may contain’ statements. The digestives reviewed differ in their ingredients and warnings, so don’t rely on the product name or a pack you bought previously.

What should I look for in a digestive with 0% sugar?

Check the ingredients and any product warnings too. AH Digestive 0% sugar contains polyols; Albert Heijn states that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.