Students looking for a soft snack
If you want something ready to eat between unpacking and studying, a single egg cake can be a handy option. Albert Heijn lists a 30 g serving for the standard egg cake included in the research.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Students comparing fibre content
You want to know what wholemeal means for each type of biscuit. Albert Heijn’s nutritional information lists different fibre values for the standard and wholemeal varieties included in the research; compare their sugar, fat and salt too.
Students checking ingredients and allergens
If you avoid certain ingredients, the exact variety matters more than just the type of biscuit. For example, a label saying vegan or lactose-free doesn’t tell you whether a digestive contains wheat.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with when you’ll eat it: would you prefer a soft egg cake or a crunchy digestive? Then compare the serving size, nutritional information and any ingredients you want to avoid. Wholemeal is a separate choice for both types.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Serving size and convenience | Check the serving size and energy per serving, and think about how many biscuits you’ll have in one sitting. | Between moving boxes and lectures, I want to be able to grab a snack without measuring it out. Around 31% of consumers prioritise a clear serving size like this. |
| Fibre and wholemeal | Compare fibre per 100 g, and also check the values for sugar, fat and salt. | If I choose a wholemeal variety, I want to know how much fibre it actually contains without overlooking the rest of the nutritional information. Fibre is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, listed allergens and any warnings about traces on the current packaging. | I need to be able to check whether this particular biscuit contains ingredients I avoid; a general claim on the front isn’t enough. This is the first priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Taste and storage | Choose between soft and crunchy, and check the storage instructions and pack size. | For my student room, I want biscuits I enjoy and can store properly once opened. Around 15% of consumers put this practical consideration first. |
Common mistakes
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Taking ‘digestive’ as a nutritional recommendation
The name doesn’t tell you how its overall nutritional value compares with an egg cake. According to Albert Heijn, the standard AH Digestive included in the research contains 21 g of fat per 100 g.
Check the nutritional information per 100 g and per serving on the pack, rather than basing your choice on the product name.
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Assuming wholemeal means less sugar
Albert Heijn lists 31 g of sugar per 100 g for both the standard and wholemeal egg cakes included in the research, while their fibre values differ.
When comparing wholemeal varieties, check the fibre, but look at the sugar, fat and salt separately too.
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Confusing vegan with allergen-free
According to Albert Heijn, the AH Digestive included in the research is vegan and lactose-free, but it contains wheat. The AH egg cake included in the research lists egg, milk and soya, among other ingredients.
Read the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the exact variety you’re buying.
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Opening a large pack without a storage plan
If you don’t finish a pack in time or don’t seal it properly after opening, that size may not suit how often you eat biscuits.
Check the best-before date and storage instructions on the pack, and seal any opened biscuits properly.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The own-brand products included in the research feature both standard and wholemeal egg cakes and digestives.
- According to Albert Heijn, the wholemeal egg cake and wholemeal digestive included in the research contain 3.5 g and 6 g of fibre per 100 g respectively.
- The wholemeal digestive included in the research also lists 1.15 g of salt per 100 g. Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety separately.
Bolletje
Brosse Eierkoek Kaneel has a different texture and flavour from a standard soft egg cake.
- Bolletje describes this variety as made with free-range eggs, a milk coating and cinnamon.
- The product information lists milk, egg, soya and cereals containing gluten among its allergens.
Verkade
A chocolate digestive offers a different flavour choice from a biscuit without a chocolate coating.
- For the Verkade Verk digestive puur included in the research, Albert Heijn listed a 30% dark chocolate content.
- For that same variety, Albert Heijn listed 24 g of fat and 28 g of sugar per 100 g. Compare the current nutritional information for the variety you want to buy.
Jumbo
The range included in the research features egg cakes, including a wholemeal variety, as well as a wholemeal digestive.
- Jumbo lists 5.8 g of fibre per 100 g for its Digestive Volkoren included in the research.
- That digestive also lists 17.7 g of fat and 1.15 g of salt per 100 g, so compare the full nutritional information.
Lidl
Lidl lists plain digestives and uses Sondey as a brand for biscuits and other baked goods.
- The Digestives naturel pack described by Lidl contains 400 g.
- Lidl lists these digestives as available in store only. The fact that Sondey offers vegan options doesn’t tell you anything about the ingredients in these particular biscuits.
Aldi
The products included in the research are Heerlijck Banket Scharreleierkoeken and Biscotto Digestive Biscuits: two separate choices.
- ALDI lists 12 biscuits and 360 g for the free-range egg cakes, and around 27 biscuits and 400 g for the digestive biscuits.
- Check which variety is available when you buy, and read the label for the latest ingredients and nutritional information.
Digestives on Joybuy
This product selection is for fans of the classic digestive: a biscuit for anyone who’d rather keep something crunchy in the cupboard than a soft egg cake.
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McVities Digestive Original, 400 g
A classic digestive biscuit for anyone looking for a crunchy snack to keep in the cupboard.
400 g pack. According to the Joybuy product information, these biscuits taste best when stored in a dry, preferably cool place.
Frequently asked questions
Does the name ‘digestive’ tell you anything about its nutritional value compared with an egg cake?
No. Compare the nutritional information for the specific products instead. Albert Heijn lists 21 g of fat per 100 g for the standard AH Digestive included in the research, compared with 3.7 g per 100 g for the standard AH Eierkoeken; the wholemeal varieties have different fibre values again.
Which of these biscuits can I consider if I eat vegan or lactose-free?
According to Albert Heijn, the standard and wholemeal AH Digestives included in the research are vegan and lactose-free. Both contain wheat, though, so check the ingredients and any warnings on the current packaging before choosing a variety.
How should I store egg cakes and digestives in my student room?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal opened biscuits properly. The product information included in the research recommends storing them in a dry place; for McVities Digestive Original, Joybuy also recommends keeping them somewhere cool if possible.
What should I look for if I need to avoid allergens?
Read the allergen information for the exact variety and look out for any ‘may contain’ warnings too. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of allergen information on labels; the egg cake included in the research lists egg, milk and soya, among other ingredients, while the AH Digestive included in the research contains wheat.