If you’d like to serve wholemeal rusks at a holiday lunch, start with plain wholemeal rusks, but bear in mind the flavours and textures your child will accept. Plain rusks may be more practical if wholemeal or seeded varieties are left uneaten. When comparing wholemeal options, check the fibre content per 100 g and per rusk, and always check the packaging of your chosen product if you have allergies.
If wholemeal foods and fibre matter to you, Voedingscentrum recommends looking for the ‘wholemeal’ label rather than judging by a dark colour. Then compare the nutritional information for the rusks you’re considering.
It also matters whether your child will eat the rusk at a holiday lunch. A plain, crisp rusk has a different texture from a larger variety with oats and seeds, and children’s preferences vary.
The varieties reviewed include ingredients such as wheat, egg, oats, barley and sesame. If you have a relevant allergy, check the allergen information on the packaging of the exact variety you choose.
For your holiday lunch, first decide whether wholemeal ingredients and fibre, a familiar texture or avoiding a particular ingredient will guide your choice. Each of the three types of rusk involves different considerations.
A good fit if: you want to serve wholemeal rusks without the seeded texture of a darker variety.
Consider: ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t tell you whether your child will like the taste or whether the product is suitable for someone with an allergy.
A good fit if: your child likes oats and seeds and enjoys a coarser rusk.
Consider: the different ingredients, texture and size mean these aren’t an obvious substitute for plain wholemeal rusks.
A good fit if: a familiar, simple rusk is the priority at your holiday lunch.
Consider: if you specifically want to serve wholemeal rusks, treating plain and wholemeal as the same choice won’t meet that aim.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal ingredients and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare fibre per 100 g and per rusk if the individual rusks vary in weight. | I want to choose a wholemeal rusk for lunch, not just one that looks dark. For around 36% of consumers, wholemeal ingredients and fibre are said to be the main reason for their choice. |
| Taste and texture | Check whether the rusks contain oats and seeds, as well as their size; it’s best to try a different texture at home first. | If my child leaves seeds uneaten, I’d rather choose a rusk with a familiar texture. Acceptance is said to be the main consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging of your chosen variety. | If an ingredient needs to be avoided, the label will determine which rusks are suitable. Around 21% of consumers are said to have this check as their first buying consideration. |
| Packaging and availability | Compare the number of rusks, read the storage advice and check availability shortly before buying. | For several lunches, I want to know how many rusks are in a pack and whether I can take it with me. This is said to be the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
The colour doesn’t tell you whether a rusk is made entirely from wholemeal flour. Voedingscentrum distinguishes between a dark appearance and the ‘wholemeal’ label.
Check the product name and ingredients list, then compare the fibre value in the nutritional information.
A dark wholemeal variety with oats and seeds feels different from a plain rusk. The Bolletje variety reviewed also contains ingredients such as barley and sesame, which may be relevant if you have an allergy.
Read the label and choose this texture only if the ingredients are suitable and your child is happy to eat seeds.
Your choice of rusk doesn’t determine how varied the lunch is on its own. Voedingscentrum also discusses fillings, vegetables or fruit, and drinks as part of a child’s lunch.
So think about what you’ll serve alongside the rusk.
An availability update only applies at the time you see it, and product information can change too.
Check availability before buying, and read the packaging again next time you shop, especially if particular ingredients are a deciding factor.
These examples show the differences you may find between specific rusk varieties. The features mentioned don’t necessarily apply to every product from a brand.
The product information reviewed for Bolletje includes both plain wholemeal rusks and a dark wholemeal variety with oats and seeds.
Albert Heijn’s range includes both plain and wholemeal rusks.
Jumbo Wholemeal Rusks are an example of plain wholemeal rusks in a pack of 13.
These two Bolletje varieties let you choose between dark wholemeal rusks with oats and seeds and plain wholemeal rusks. Choose according to the texture you prefer, and check the label if you have allergies.
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An option if the person eating them likes a larger rusk with oats and seeds.
This pack contains 10 rusks. Jumbo lists 10 g of fibre per 100 g for this Bolletje variety; if you’re comparing fibre per rusk, check the weight on the packaging too.
The ingredients include wheat, oats, barley and sesame. If you have allergies, read the current allergen information.
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An option if you want to serve plain wholemeal rusks without the seeded texture of the dark variety.
The pack contains 13 rusks. Check the nutritional information on the pack when comparing the fibre content with another variety.
If you have allergies, check the label for wheat, egg and any mention of possible sesame.
No, colour alone doesn’t prove that they are. According to Voedingscentrum, a product that isn’t made entirely from wholemeal flour can’t be labelled ‘wholemeal’, so check the product name and ingredients list.
No, don’t assume that. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bakery products through baker’s salt. To find out whether this applies to a specific rusk, check the product information or ask the manufacturer.
Always check the allergen information on the packaging of your chosen product. The product information reviewed lists ingredients including wheat and egg; a dark variety with seeds also lists ingredients such as oats, barley and sesame. Other products from the same brand may differ.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging and seal it securely after use. The product information reviewed for Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Bolletje recommends storing rusks in a dry, sealed container after opening.
