Evening snackers looking for fibre
You’re looking for a wholemeal alternative for a late-night snack and want to know how much fibre you’ll actually get per rusk. Compare values per 100 g too, as rusks vary in size.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Snackers keeping an eye on portions
You want something small and crisp, and take the number of rusks and your topping into account when choosing. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average wholemeal rusk weighing 10 g an energy value of 39 kcal; larger options and toppings change the total portion.
Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens
You may need to take ingredients such as wheat, egg, soya or sesame into account. Check the packaging of the exact option you choose, as ingredients can vary between products.
What should you look for when choosing?
Decide what matters most for your late-night snack: a wholemeal base and fibre, a manageable portion or avoiding certain ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Read the product description and compare the fibre per 100 g and per rusk. | If fibre is the reason I choose wholemeal rusks, I want to know what I’ll actually get from the rusk I eat. This is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Portion size | Check the nutritional values per piece, and count the number of rusks and the topping. | For a small late-night snack, I want to be able to estimate how much I’m eating in total, especially with an extra-large rusk. Around 30% of consumers prioritise portion size. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging, including any warnings about traces. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, the ingredients in this exact option matter more than my preference for fibre or portion size. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Relying only on the front of the pack
A claim such as ‘high in fibre’ won’t tell you at a glance how much fibre, sugar or salt you’ll get per rusk.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then check the values per piece. Read the ingredients list too.
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Not taking your topping into account
The number of rusks you eat and what you put on them together determine the size and make-up of your late-night snack.
Decide how many rusks you want to eat and consider the topping as part of the same portion.
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Assuming allergen information is the same for every option
Even rusks from the same brand can have different ingredients or allergen information depending on the option.
Check the current packaging for each option, including warnings about possible traces.
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Assuming every rusk contains iodine
The ‘wholemeal rusk’ description doesn’t tell you whether iodised baker’s salt has been used in that particular option.
Check the ingredients information or ask the manufacturer which type of salt is used in the product.
Brands to consider
Bolletje
Bolletje offers a standard wholemeal rusk and a larger, dark wholemeal option for anyone wanting to compare size and texture.
- Jumbo lists 11 g of fibre per 100 g and 1.3 g per rusk for Bolletje Wholemeal Rusks. The dark wholemeal option, sold in a pack of 10, is described as extra-large.
- Check the ingredients of the option you choose; the standard wholemeal rusks list wheat and egg, among other ingredients, and may contain sesame.
Albert Heijn
At Albert Heijn, you can compare product descriptions for standard and organic wholemeal rusks.
- Albert Heijn lists 41% wholemeal wheat flour in the ingredients for AH Organic Wholemeal Rusks, among other details.
- According to the ingredients list, the organic option also contains wheat flour, egg, soya and wheat gluten. Check the packaging of the product you buy.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers both Wholemeal Rusks and Organic Wholemeal Rusks, each in a pack of 13.
- The two product names make it easy to compare a standard and an organic option.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for each option before making your choice.
PLUS
PLUS offers standard wholemeal rusks and a larger wholemeal option with seeds.
- PLUS states that its Wholemeal Rusks with Seeds contain over 25% seeds.
- If you need to avoid certain ingredients, check the seeded option’s label separately; the ingredients in the standard option won’t tell you what’s in it.
Goud Gebakken (ALDI)
Goud Gebakken Wholemeal Rusks are a straightforward wholemeal option, sold in a pack of 13.
- ALDI describes these rusks as light and crisp.
- To compare fibre per portion and allergens, check the nutritional information and ingredients on the packaging.
Lidl
Lidl lists a 140 g pack of wholemeal rusks for anyone looking for a basic option.
- Lidl states that this product is available in store.
- Compare the nutritional information, portion size and ingredients on the packaging in store.
Wholemeal rusks at Joybuy
These two Bolletje options let you choose between an extra-large dark wholemeal rusk and a standard wholemeal rusk for your late-night snack.
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Bolletje Dark Wholemeal Rusks, 10 pieces
A good choice if you’re looking for a larger wholemeal rusk for a late-night snack.
Jumbo describes the dark wholemeal option, sold in a pack of 10, as extra-large and made from 100% wholegrain. Check the current packaging for the nutritional values per rusk and allergen information.
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Bolletje Wholemeal Rusks, 13 pieces
A good choice if you want a standard wholemeal rusk as the basis for your late-night snack.
Jumbo lists 11 g of fibre per 100 g and 1.3 g per rusk for this option. Check the current packaging for portion size and allergens, including wheat and egg.
Frequently asked questions
Are wholemeal rusks automatically a good choice for a late-night snack?
Not for everyone: the portion size, type of rusk and topping all affect what you eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average 10 g wholemeal rusk a value of 39 kcal and 0.8 g of fibre; check the packaging for the values of your rusk.
Should I compare fibre per 100 g or per rusk?
Use both values: per 100 g lets you compare products, while the value per rusk shows what you’ll get in your portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g; also check the weight per piece if the rusks vary in size.
Are wholemeal rusks suitable if I need to avoid wheat or egg?
You can’t tell from the ‘wholemeal’ description alone. For example, Bolletje Wholemeal Rusks list wheat and egg; check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging of the exact option you want to eat.
Does every wholemeal rusk contain iodine from baker’s salt?
No, you can’t tell from the product name. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists baker’s salt as a possible source of added iodine; check the ingredients information for a specific rusk or ask the manufacturer which type of salt is used.