Households keeping an eye on fibre
You want to take wholemeal rusks with you and compare the nutritional values of different packs. Check the fibre content per 100 g as well as per rusk, as individual rusks can vary in weight.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Picnickers who want to keep their rusks crisp
You want to get your rusks to the park in one piece and still crunchy. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing rusks in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container; for travelling, a sturdy container with a lid is a good choice.
Shoppers checking ingredients
Before you buy, you check for ingredients that are relevant to your group. The varieties described include wheat, egg, sesame, oats and barley, among other ingredients, so check the allergen information on the pack you buy.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the wholemeal label and the nutritional information. Then think about how you’ll transport the rusks and which ingredients matter to the people eating them.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare fibre per 100 g and per rusk. | If fibre is my main concern, I want to know how much one rusk provides without comparing different portion sizes. An estimated 42% of consumers put this first when making this choice. |
| Crunch and transport | Check the size and storage advice; take the rusks in a sealed container and keep moist toppings separate. | For a picnic, I want to take rusks with me without them breaking or getting damp on the way. An estimated 33% of consumers consider this their most important factor. |
| Ingredients and salt | Read the latest allergen information and compare salt per 100 g if it matters to your choice. | If someone eating with us needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know which variety I can take before anything else. An estimated 25% of consumers say this check is their top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark means wholemeal
A dark colour or seeds on top don’t tell you how much of the grain content is wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a product can only be called wholemeal if all of its grain content is made from wholemeal flour.
Look for the wholemeal label and read the ingredients list instead of judging by the colour of the rusk.
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Comparing fibre per 100 g only
The amount per rusk varies with its weight. For Bolletje Donker wholemeal rusks, for example, Jumbo lists 1.6 g of fibre per rusk weighing around 16 g.
Use the per-100 g value to compare products and the per-rusk value to assess your portion.
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Skipping the allergen check for varieties with seeds
Wholemeal doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with an allergy. The plain varieties and those made with seeds or extra grains have different ingredients.
Check the allergen information on the current pack just before buying, especially if someone in your group has an allergy.
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Packing topped rusks in your bag
Moist toppings can make rusks less crisp, while loose rusks can break in transit. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing rusks dry and in a well-sealed container.
Carry the rusks in a sturdy, sealable container and add the toppings when you’re ready to eat.
Brands to consider
A single brand may offer both plain wholemeal rusks and varieties with seeds or extra grains. So compare the packaging for the specific variety you want to take with you.
Bolletje
Bolletje offers plain wholemeal rusks and a dark wholemeal variety with extra grains and seeds.
- For the dark variety, Jumbo lists 10 g of fibre per 100 g and 1.6 g per rusk weighing around 16 g.
- For the dark variety, wheat, oats, barley and sesame are among the ingredients to check on the label.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand range includes plain wholemeal rusks.
- For AH wholemeal rusks, Albert Heijn lists 9 g of fibre and 0.48 g of salt per 100 g.
- Check the current pack for ingredients and allergens, including wheat and egg.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists own-brand wholemeal rusks, including plain and organic varieties.
- The plain variety is a familiar option for anyone comparing rusks without extra seeds.
- Before you shop, check whether your chosen variety is available; Jumbo stated that the plain variety was temporarily unavailable.
PLUS
PLUS lists both plain wholemeal rusks and a variety with seeds and kernels.
- For the plain variety, PLUS lists 7.7 g of fibre and 0.72 g of salt per 100 g. According to PLUS, the seeded variety contains over 25% seeds and kernels.
- For the seeded variety, check the packaging for egg, wheat, barley, oats and sesame, among other ingredients.
Goud Gebakken
ALDI describes Goud Gebakken as wholemeal rusks in a pack of 13.
- The pack size makes it easy to work out how many packs to take on your picnic.
- Check the nutritional information and allergen details on the pack when comparing this variety with other rusks.
Wholemeal rusks for a picnic on Joybuy
These two Bolletje varieties suit different preferences: plain wholemeal rusks as a base for toppings, or a dark variety with extra grains and seeds. For both, bear the ingredients in mind and keep them dry while travelling.
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Bolletje Dark wholemeal rusks, 10 pieces
For anyone who wants to take wholemeal rusks with extra grains and seeds. For this variety, Jumbo lists 10 g of fibre per 100 g and 1.6 g per rusk weighing around 16 g.
If you have allergies, check the pack for wheat, oats, barley and sesame, among other ingredients. Protect the larger rusks from breakage and moisture while travelling.
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Bolletje Wholemeal rusks, 13 pieces
Plain wholemeal rusks for anyone looking for a base for picnic toppings. The pack contains 13 pieces.
Check the pack for fibre per 100 g and per rusk if these values matter to your choice. If you have allergies, check for wheat and egg, and for possible traces of sesame.
Frequently asked questions
How can I identify wholemeal rusks?
Look for the wholemeal label and read the ingredients list. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a product can only be called wholemeal if all of its grain content is made from wholemeal flour; a dark colour or seeds alone are not proof.
How can I keep rusks crisp on a picnic?
Take the rusks with you dry and in a well-sealed container, ideally a sturdy tin, and add toppings just before eating. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing rusks in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container.
What should I compare between plain and seeded varieties?
Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, check the nutritional values per rusk and read the ingredients. A seeded variety may also differ in size and allergens from plain wholemeal rusks; the product name alone won’t tell you which variety is right for your group.
Are wholemeal rusks automatically suitable for someone with an allergy?
No. The wholemeal label tells you nothing about the allergens in a particular rusk. Check the current pack for ingredients such as wheat, egg, sesame, oats and barley, and don’t assume a product is gluten-free unless it is explicitly labelled as such.
Can I assume that wholemeal rusks contain iodine?
No. The wholemeal label doesn’t tell you whether iodised baker’s salt has been used. Check the ingredients list on the specific pack or ask the manufacturer for product information if this matters to your choice.