Fibre-conscious Christmas breakfast eaters
You want wholemeal rusks for breakfast or brunch and compare the fibre per 100 g, rather than relying on the front of the pack.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Fans of savoury brunch toppings
You’re looking for rusks to use as a base for toppings such as cheese, egg or a spread. You’ll want to know whether standard rusks, a dark variety or seeded rusks will go best with your toppings.
Families buying several packs
You’re buying rusks for several guests and checking how many there are in each pack. Before Christmas, make sure your chosen variety is available and its ingredients are suitable for your guests.
What should you look for in wholemeal rusks for Christmas?
Start by checking that they’re labelled wholemeal and looking at the nutrition information per 100 g. Then decide which ingredients and pack size suit your toppings and guests.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutrition information. | For Christmas breakfast, I want rusks that are clearly labelled wholemeal and have a fibre value I can compare; this is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Flavour and toppings | Decide whether you want standard rusks, a dark variety or seeded rusks; check the pack size too. | If I’m serving savoury toppings, I want rusks with ingredients and a texture that will go well with them. This choice comes first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Quantity and availability | Check how many rusks are in each pack, then check that your chosen variety is available just before you buy. | When I’m catering for several guests, I want to be able to buy enough packs without having to switch at the last minute; this is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the allergen information on the pack you buy and, if needed, compare the salt content per 100 g. | If I’m shopping for guests with a food allergy, I want to know what the rusks contain first. Ingredients and allergens are the top priority for around 10% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark or multigrain means wholemeal
A dark colour or visible seeds don’t tell you whether the rusks are labelled wholemeal. Fibre content also varies between wholemeal varieties.
Look for the wholemeal label on the pack, then compare the fibre per 100 g.
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Serving seeded rusks without checking allergens
The seeded and dark wholemeal varieties compared here include ingredients such as wheat, oats, barley or sesame; some varieties also contain egg.
Ask guests in advance which allergens they need to avoid, and check both the ingredients and the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements on the pack you buy.
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Not sealing an opened pack properly
Moisture can make rusks less crisp, especially if you open the pack before Christmas breakfast.
Store rusks in a cool, dry, dark place, seal an opened pack properly and check the best-before date on the packaging.
Brands and own-label options compared
Bolletje
Bolletje’s wholemeal rusks include both a standard and a dark variety for you to compare.
- PLUS lists 11 g of fibre per 100 g for Bolletje Wholemeal and 10 g per 100 g for the dark wholemeal variety.
- Bolletje Wholemeal contains egg and may contain sesame; for the dark variety, check for wheat, oats, barley and sesame, among other ingredients.
Albert Heijn
The own-label range includes standard wholemeal rusks as well as other varieties.
- Albert Heijn lists 9 g of fibre and 0.48 g of salt per 100 g for AH Wholemeal Rusks.
- This variety contains wheat and egg; check the current packaging when you buy it.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers wholemeal rusks and other types, including varieties with grains and seeds.
- The product information for Jumbo Wholemeal Rusks lists 7.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Check the ingredients on the pack you choose and confirm that it’s available shortly before your Christmas shop.
PLUS
The own-label range includes a standard pack of wholemeal rusks and a seeded wholemeal variety.
- PLUS lists 7.7 g of fibre per 100 g for the standard pack and 10.6 g per 100 g for the seeded variety.
- The seeded variety contains egg, oats and sesame, among other ingredients; check the label if you’re buying for guests.
Goud Gebakken
This ALDI own-label brand offers wholemeal rusks for anyone looking for a simple pack.
- ALDI lists 13 rusks per pack.
- Before choosing, compare the fibre, ingredients and allergens on the packaging with those of other packs.
Wholemeal rusks at Joybuy
These two packs of Bolletje rusks suit different Christmas breakfast preferences: standard wholemeal rusks or a dark variety with oats and seeds. Compare the nutrition information per 100 g and the allergens for the pack you plan to serve.
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Bolletje Wholemeal Rusks – 13 pieces
Standard wholemeal rusks for a Christmas breakfast with sweet or savoury toppings.
Joybuy lists 11 g of fibre and 0.47 g of salt per 100 g.
Contains wheat and egg; may contain sesame. If you have an allergy, check the current packaging.
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Bolletje Dark Wholemeal Rusks – 10 pieces
For a Christmas brunch when you want to serve dark wholemeal rusks with oats and seeds.
Joybuy lists 10 g of fibre and 0.52 g of salt per 100 g.
Contains wheat, oats, barley and sesame. If you have an allergy, check the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How can I recognise wholemeal rusks?
Check whether ‘wholemeal’ appears as the product description on the packaging. According to the Voedingscentrum, a product cannot be called wholemeal if its flour isn’t entirely wholemeal. Then compare the fibre per 100 g, as this varies between rusks.
Do dark wholemeal rusks always contain more fibre?
No, the colour doesn’t tell you how much fibre the rusks contain. PLUS lists 11 g of fibre per 100 g for Bolletje Wholemeal and 10 g per 100 g for Bolletje Dark Wholemeal, so compare the nutrition information for the specific packs.
Which allergens should I check if I’m serving guests?
Check the allergens in the rusks you’re actually buying. The products discussed here include wheat and egg, among other ingredients, while seeded or dark wholemeal varieties may also contain sesame, oats or barley. Check for any ‘may contain’ statements too.
How can I keep rusks crisp until Christmas breakfast?
Store the pack in a cool, dry, dark place and seal it properly after opening, for example in a suitable storage tin. This is in line with the storage advice in the product information from Albert Heijn and PLUS.
Will a pack listed online still be available just before Christmas?
Don’t assume so: check the availability of the specific variety shortly before you buy. A product appearing in a range doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to pick up or order that pack when you need it.