Families who want to plan a treat
If you want to offer a biscuit during the school holidays without making it an everyday snack, setting a clear portion can help. The Dutch Nutrition Centre recommends fruit and vegetables as snacks for children.
Who is this comparison for?
Anyone comparing ingredients and nutritional values
If you’re choosing between a spritz biscuit and a digestive, compare fibre, saturated fat, sugars and salt per 100 g, as well as the stated portion sizes. That way, you can consider what’s in the biscuit, not just the name on the packet.
Families who need to check allergens
If gluten or other allergens affect your choice, always check the information on the current packaging. Even a biscuit sold as gluten-free may contain other allergens.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re planning a specific biscuit break, then compare the ingredients and pack size. Check allergens separately if they’re a deciding factor for your family.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion and biscuit break | Check the weight of each biscuit and the stated portion size, then decide how many to offer. | If I give my child a biscuit during the holidays, I want to be able to set the portion in advance. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this when deciding on a biscuit break. |
| Ingredients | Compare fibre, saturated fat, sugars and salt per 100 g, and read the ingredients list. | I don’t want to rely on the name ‘digestive’ or ‘wholemeal’; I want to see what’s in the biscuit. This is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Check the pack weight and storage instructions if you’ll be spreading the pack over several biscuit breaks. | A large pack needs to suit our planned biscuit breaks, so I know how to store it once opened. Pack size matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ statements. | If gluten or another allergen is a deciding factor, I want to check the specific biscuit rather than rely on its category. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this check. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘digestive’ means it’s nutritionally better
Digestives vary in their ingredients and nutritional values. The product name doesn’t tell you how much fibre, sugar or salt a particular variety contains.
Compare the labels per 100 g and per portion. For children’s snacks, the Dutch Nutrition Centre recommends options including fruit and vegetables.
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Assuming every biscuit is the same size portion
According to Jumbo’s product information, one 14.7 g McVitie's Digestives Original biscuit contains 71 kcal; Verkade lists 89 kcal per Nobo Sprits Original biscuit. Without checking the portion weight, you’re not comparing like for like.
Check how many grams the stated portion contains, then decide in advance how many biscuits to offer.
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Assuming gluten-free means free from all allergens
Jumbo describes Schär Digestive Landtaler as gluten-free, but the product information also lists soya and possible traces of lupin and eggs.
If you have a dietary restriction, always check the full allergen information on the packaging, not just the wording on the front.
Brands to consider
Verkade
Nobo Sprits Original is an option if you’re specifically looking for a classic spritz biscuit.
- Verkade lists 89 kcal per Nobo Sprits Original biscuit.
- This variety contains wheat and milk; check the label if you have an allergy.
Albert Heijn
AH sells spritz biscuits as well as plain and wholemeal digestives, so you can compare these specific products by checking their labels.
- AH Digestive volkoren lists 37% wholemeal wheat flour and 6 g of fibre per 100 g.
- AH Spritsen contains wheat and 29% butter; don’t assume the features of one AH biscuit apply to another.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers products such as McVitie's Digestives Original, which you can use as a specific point of comparison.
- The product information for McVitie's Digestives Original lists 16% wholemeal wheat flour and 3.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
- These values apply to this particular biscuit, not to every digestive sold by Jumbo.
PLUS
PLUS Digestive is a supermarket own-brand option if you want to assess a plain digestive by its ingredients and nutritional values.
- The product information lists a 400 g pack and 3.3 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Check the current packaging if the ingredients or allergens matter to your choice.
Biscotto (ALDI)
Biscotto sells Digestive Biscuits and butter spritz biscuits as two separate types of biscuit.
- ALDI describes the pack of Digestive Biscuits as containing around 27 biscuits and the butter spritz biscuits as a pack of 12.
- Compare the labels of the two specific products for nutritional values and allergen information.
Sondey (Lidl)
Sondey Digestives pure chocolade is a separate variety for anyone looking for a digestive with a chocolate coating.
- Lidl lists a 300 g pack for this variety.
- Check the label in store before comparing its nutritional values or allergens with a plain digestive.
Digestives on Joybuy
This digestive is an option if you’re choosing between it and a spritz biscuit and want to consider pack weight and portion size too.
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McVities Digestive Original, 400 g
For anyone who wants to compare a plain digestive with a spritz biscuit and take the pack size into account.
400 g pack. If you have a dietary restriction, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is a digestive automatically a suitable everyday snack for children?
No. The name ‘digestive’ doesn’t tell you that. For children aged 4 to 12, the Dutch Nutrition Centre recommends snacks including fruit and vegetables. Assess a biscuit by checking its current ingredients, nutritional values and portion size.
How do I compare the portion size of a spritz biscuit with a digestive?
Start by checking the weight of each biscuit. Jumbo lists 71 kcal for one 14.7 g McVitie's Digestives Original, while Verkade lists 89 kcal per Nobo Sprits Original biscuit. Unless the portion weights are the same, the per-biscuit values aren’t directly comparable.
What does ‘wholemeal’ mean for AH Digestive volkoren?
Albert Heijn’s product information lists 37% wholemeal wheat flour and 22% wheat flour for AH Digestive volkoren. If you’re comparing it with a plain digestive or a spritz biscuit, check the other ingredients and nutritional values too.
Is a gluten-free digestive also free from other allergens?
No. Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from all allergens. Jumbo describes Schär Digestive Landtaler as gluten-free, but the product information lists soya and possible traces of lupin and eggs, so check the current label.