Travellers who want one larger cake
A plain egg cake could suit you if you’d rather take one light cake with you than several small biscuits. Check the stated portion size and nutritional values per 100 g before comparing products.
Who is this comparison useful for?
Travellers keeping an eye on fibre
If you want to compare a wholemeal egg cake with digestives, check the fibre content per 100 g of the exact versions. Take the other nutritional values into account too.
Travellers with specific ingredient requirements
If you have an allergy or follow a vegan or lactose-free diet, the label will determine which version you can consider. Don’t rely on the product category alone: ingredients and claims vary from one biscuit to another.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide what size and ingredients will suit your train journey. Then compare the nutritional information on a like-for-like basis: per 100 g to compare the products, and per portion to work out what you want to take with you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Size and portion | Compare the weight of each cake and its nutritional values per 100 g; stated portion sizes aren’t always the same. | If I want one light cake for the journey, the value per item only tells me so much unless I also know the portion weight. For around 42% of consumers, size and portion are the main considerations. |
| Fibre | Check the fibre content per 100 g of the wholemeal egg cake or digestive you’ve chosen, and look at the other nutritional values too. | If you’re mainly looking for a biscuit with more fibre, you’ll want to compare the exact versions rather than go by the name. This is a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Check the current label for allergens and any claims such as vegan or lactose-free. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, a biscuit is ruled out as soon as the label doesn’t meet my requirements. Ingredient suitability is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Comparing calories per item only
Albert Heijn lists a portion of 30 g for AH Eierkoeken, compared with 15 g for AH Digestive. So comparing them per item doesn’t mean you’re comparing the same amount.
First compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then decide how many items you want to take with you.
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Going by the name ‘digestive’
A higher fibre figure on the label doesn’t, by itself, tell you how a biscuit’s other nutritional values compare with those of an egg cake. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the ingredients and nutrition table too.
As well as fibre, compare the fat, saturated fat, sugars and salt in the specific products.
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Treating a sugar claim as a complete product comparison
According to Albert Heijn, AH Digestive 0% sugar contains 0 g of added sugars, but it also contains polyols. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
If you’re considering this version, check the full ingredients list and nutritional information.
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Leaving the label and packaging until you’re on the train
The egg cakes and digestives compared here have different ingredients. An opened packet can also leave crumbs in your bag.
Check for allergens before buying, and take an airtight container if needed. NS asks passengers to put rubbish in the bin.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The own-brand range includes egg cakes and digestives in several varieties.
- AH Eierkoeken lists 94 kcal per 30 g cake; AH Digestive is labelled vegan and lactose-free.
- These claims apply to the versions mentioned. Check the current label when you buy.
Jumbo
The own-brand range includes both plain egg cakes and digestive biscuits.
- Jumbo lists its egg cakes in packs of four; for its Krokante Digestive Biscuit, it gives nutritional values per 100 g.
- Portion sizes and recipes vary, so compare the exact products.
Bolletje
Brosse Eierkoeken met Melklaagje are a smaller egg cake option for the journey.
- According to the product information at Jumbo, they’re individually wrapped, and a cake weighing around 15,5 g contains 58 kcal.
- Don’t compare this crisp version as an equal portion to a larger, plain egg cake.
Verkade
Digestive Original is a biscuit option you can compare by its nutritional values.
- Albert Heijn lists 3,6 g of fibre per 100 g for Verkade Digestive Original.
- The same product information lists 21 g of fat and 1,3 g of salt per 100 g; consider the values together.
Digestives on Joybuy
These products are digestive biscuits for anyone who wants to take this type of biscuit on a journey. The chocolate versions differ from the Original, so check the nutritional information, ingredients and packaging when choosing.
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McVities Digestive Original, 400 g
A plain digestive for anyone who’d rather take biscuits than egg cakes with them. The pack contains 400 g; think about how you’ll store the biscuits during your journey.
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McVitie's Digestives with Dark Chocolate, 266 g
A digestive with dark chocolate for anyone who wants to take this particular version along. The pack contains 266 g; check the nutritional information per 100 g, as well as the portion size and packaging.
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McVitie's Digestives Milk Chocolate, 266 g
A digestive with milk chocolate for anyone considering this version as a train snack. The pack contains 266 g; check the label if the ingredients or portion size will influence your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Does a digestive always contain more fibre than an egg cake?
No, it depends on the versions. Albert Heijn lists 1,4 g of fibre per 100 g for AH Eierkoeken, 3,2 g for AH Digestive and 3,5 g for AH Volkoren Eierkoeken. So compare the exact products and check the other nutritional values too.
Which biscuit could I consider if I eat a vegan or lactose-free diet?
Albert Heijn labels AH Digestive as vegan and lactose-free, but that doesn’t automatically apply to other digestives. The AH Eierkoeken compared here contain egg and milk, among other ingredients. Always check the label of the version you choose before buying.
How can I take egg cakes or digestives with me on the train?
An airtight container or bag will help keep opened biscuits together and limit crumbs in your bag. Check the storage advice on your product’s packaging, and put packaging waste in the bin in line with NS rules.