Who is this choice relevant to?

Lunch planners keeping an eye on fibre

You’re looking for wholemeal rusks as a quick base for your toppings and want to know how much fibre you’ll get from your usual portion. So compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per rusk.

Households looking for a plain base

You want rusks that go with a range of toppings, without needing a larger size or a seeded variety. If you’re buying for several lunches, check how many rusks are in each pack too.

Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens

You need to be able to check which grains and other ingredients are in the variety you choose. The plain Bolletje rusks reviewed list wheat and egg; the dark variety also lists ingredients including wheat, oats, barley and sesame.

What should you look for when buying?

Start with what matters most to you: fibre, ingredients or how you’ll use the rusks as a base for lunch. Then consider the pack you choose alongside your toppings.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Fibre and wholegrains Compare fibre per 100 g and per rusk, and check the ingredients list to see which grains have been used. If fibre is my main priority, I want to know what my usual number of rusks contributes. An estimated 50% of consumers put this first when choosing lunch.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients list and allergen information, especially for varieties containing several grains or seeds. If I need to avoid an ingredient, the contents matter more than the name on the front of the pack. An estimated 30% of consumers make this their first priority when buying.
Size and toppings Check the number of rusks, the weight and whether you’re choosing plain rusks or a larger seeded variety. For a quick lunch, I mainly want a rusk that goes with the toppings I use. An estimated 20% of consumers put this first.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing based on the word ‘wholemeal’ alone

    Wholemeal describes the grain base, but it doesn’t tell you how much fibre you’ll get from a rusk of the size you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 0.8 g of fibre for a 10 g wholemeal rusk as a general reference; this isn’t the nutritional value of every variety.

    Compare the label per 100 g and per rusk. Then think about how many you want to eat for lunch and what you’ll have on them.

  • Assuming a dark seeded variety is right for everyone

    Extra grains and seeds also mean there are more ingredients to check. The dark Bolletje rusks reviewed list wheat, oats, barley and sesame.

    If you have an allergy or dietary restriction, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack, even if you’re familiar with an earlier version.

  • Assuming a product contains iodine based on its name

    A product being called wholemeal or organic doesn’t tell you whether iodised baker’s salt was used to make it.

    If this matters to your choice, check the ingredients list or ask the manufacturer of the rusks you’ve chosen.

Brands to compare

Bolletje

Bolletje offers plain wholemeal rusks and a larger, dark wholemeal variety. Compare these specific products by portion size and ingredients, not just by name.

  • According to the product information, the dark variety contains 10 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The plain variety reviewed contains wheat and egg; the dark variety also lists oats, barley and sesame. Check the pack you choose.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists both AH Wholemeal Rusks and AH Organic Wholemeal Multiseed Rusks.

  • You can compare a plain wholemeal variety with an organic multiseed variety.
  • Compare the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens using the latest details for the variety you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists a plain wholemeal variety containing 13 rusks and an organic wholemeal variety.

  • The number of rusks in the plain variety can help you plan for several lunches.
  • To compare fibre or allergens, use the nutritional information and ingredients on the specific pack.

PLUS

PLUS lists plain wholemeal rusks and a larger wholemeal variety with seeds.

  • The product information distinguishes between a 125 g roll and a 230 g seeded variety.
  • The different weight and ingredients make the nutritional information per portion and the label important when comparing them.

Goud Gebakken

This ALDI own-brand product is listed as wholemeal rusks, with 13 in each pack.

  • The stated number of rusks is useful when planning your supplies.
  • Check the pack before comparing this variety for fibre, ingredients or allergens.

Wholemeal rusks on Joybuy

These two Bolletje varieties offer a choice between a larger, dark wholemeal rusk with grains and seeds, and a plain wholemeal rusk as a base for lunch toppings. Compare them using the information on the pack you choose; there isn’t a clear like-for-like basis for comparing the stated fibre value of the plain variety.

Bolletje dark wholemeal rusks, 10 pieces

Bolletje dark wholemeal rusks, 10 pieces

An option if you’re looking for a larger wholemeal rusk with grains and seeds for lunch.

According to the product information: 100% wholemeal and 10 g of fibre per 100 g. The ingredients information lists wheat, oats, barley and sesame, among other ingredients; check the current label if you need to avoid any of these.

View on Joybuy
Bolletje wholemeal rusks, 13 pieces

Bolletje wholemeal rusks, 13 pieces

Plain wholemeal rusks as a base for lunch toppings, with 13 in each pack.

The ingredients information lists wholemeal wheat flour and egg, and warns that sesame may be present. Use the current nutrition table on the pack to compare the fibre per 100 g or per rusk with another variety.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are wholemeal rusks automatically high in fibre?

No. Don’t judge the fibre content by the word ‘wholemeal’ alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 0.8 g of fibre for a 10 g wholemeal rusk as a general nutritional reference. For your lunch, check the nutritional information per 100 g and per rusk for the variety you’ve chosen.

Which allergens should I check in wholemeal rusks?

Check the current pack for any allergens that are relevant to you. The plain Bolletje variety reviewed lists wheat and egg; the dark variety also lists wheat, oats, barley and sesame, among other ingredients. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the allergen information in the ingredients list of prepacked foods.

Do wholemeal rusks always contain iodine from baker’s salt?

No. You can’t tell from the product name whether iodised baker’s salt has been used. Check the ingredients list or ask the manufacturer about the variety you’ve chosen if this is important to your purchase.

How can I keep rusks crisp after opening?

Seal the pack tightly after opening and store the rusks somewhere dry, away from moisture and heat.