Fans of spiced biscuits
You’re looking for the familiar warming spice and soft or chewy texture of a Dutch spiced biscuit for an afternoon treat. It’s still worth comparing the nutritional values separately.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People comparing nutritional information
You want to compare sugar, fat, energy and fibre per 100 g, rather than relying on a biscuit’s name as a guide.
Shoppers who need to check allergens
You need a biscuit explicitly labelled gluten-free or information about other allergens, so you check the labels on the packaging.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether taste, nutritional values or suitability for a gluten-free diet matters most to you. Then check the packaging to assess the exact variety.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Taste and texture | Choose between a soft or chewy, spiced Dutch biscuit and a crunchy digestive. | If I fancy a spiced biscuit in the afternoon, taste matters more to me than any single nutritional value. Around 40% of consumers would put this taste preference first. |
| Nutritional values | Compare sugar, fat, energy and fibre per 100 g; for different varieties, check saturated fat too. | I want to understand the trade-off when choosing a biscuit with less sugar while also keeping an eye on fat and energy. For around 30% of consumers, nutritional values would be the main consideration. |
| Gluten and allergens | Check for an explicit gluten-free label if you need one, as well as the other allergens listed on the current packaging. | If I need to avoid gluten or watch out for other allergens, I can’t rely on the product name alone. For around 30% of consumers, checking this would be their main concern. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming the name ‘digestive’ tells you about its nutritional value
According to PLUS’s product information, its plain digestive contains 17 g of sugar, 20.9 g of fat and 482 kcal per 100 g. PLUS’s Dutch spiced biscuit lists 38,594 g of sugar, 0,909 g of fat and 356 kcal respectively. So in this comparison, less sugar goes hand in hand with more fat and energy.
Compare the values that matter to you on the same 100 g basis, rather than focusing on just one figure.
-
Assuming a chocolate variety is the same as the plain one
Jumbo lists 15.1 g of sugar and 21.3 g of fat per 100 g for McVitie's Digestives Original. Its McVitie's white chocolate variety lists 27 g of sugar and 24.6 g of fat per 100 g.
Read the nutritional information for the exact flavour you’re buying.
-
Overlooking other allergens when choosing gluten-free
Schär Digestive Landtaler, which is labelled gluten-free, contains soya and may contain lupin and egg. A gluten-free label doesn’t mean a biscuit is free from all other allergens.
Check both the gluten-free label and the allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ statements, on the packaging.
-
Relying on information from a previous purchase
Ingredients and nutritional information can change. This is particularly important if you need to avoid an allergen.
Read the packaging of the product you’re actually buying, even if you already know it by the same name.
Relevant brands to compare
PLUS
PLUS sells both Dutch spiced biscuits and a plain digestive, with nutritional values available per 100 g for each.
- The two PLUS products can be compared on the same basis: the Dutch spiced biscuit lists 38,594 g of sugar and 0,909 g of fat per 100 g, while the digestive lists 17 g of sugar and 20.9 g of fat.
- These values apply to the products mentioned; check the packaging of the variety you choose.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn sells Dutch spiced biscuits for anyone looking for a warming afternoon snack.
- AH Taai taai lists 39 g of sugar and 2.5 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The product lists milk, rye and wheat among its ingredients; if you have an allergy, check the current packaging.
McVitie's
McVitie's sells a plain digestive and a white chocolate variety.
- According to Jumbo’s product information, Digestives Original lists 15.1 g of sugar, 21.3 g of fat and 3.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The white chocolate variety has different nutritional values; don’t assume the figures for Original apply to another flavour.
Schär
Schär Digestive Landtaler is a biscuit explicitly labelled gluten-free.
- Jumbo’s product information lists 7.4 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
- The product contains soya and may contain lupin and egg; check for other allergens even when choosing a gluten-free biscuit.
Dirk
Dirk sells mini Dutch spiced biscuits in a 500 g pack.
- This is a Dutch spiced biscuit variety to take with you if you’re looking for smaller biscuits.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values on the packaging before comparing this variety with a digestive.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does a digestive always contain less sugar than a Dutch spiced biscuit?
No, you can’t assume that for all varieties. PLUS’s plain digestive lists 17 g of sugar per 100 g, while its Dutch spiced biscuit lists 38,594 g; in the same comparison, the digestive does contain more fat and energy. Check the nutritional information for the products you’re comparing.
Can I choose a Dutch spiced biscuit if I need to avoid gluten?
The Albert Heijn Dutch spiced biscuit discussed here lists rye and wheat, so it isn’t a gluten-free option. Look for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and also check the other allergens on the current packaging.
How should I store Dutch spiced biscuits or digestives after opening?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging for the variety you’ve chosen, and seal the pack well after opening. Albert Heijn recommends storing its Dutch spiced biscuits in a sealed tin.
What should I check on the label if allergens are important to me?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging in front of you. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed on food labels; also look for any statement that the product may contain other allergens.