How Many Calories in a Digestive Biscuit

A standard plain digestive biscuit contains around 70 to 85 calories, depending on the brand and recipe. The most popular brands in the UK, such as McVitie’s, typically deliver about 83 calories per biscuit. Although they appear small, digestives are calorie-dense due to their high fat and sugar content, which adds up quickly when multiple biscuits are eaten in one sitting.

Chocolate-covered versions, especially milk chocolate digestives are higher in calories. A single milk chocolate digestive can contain 90 to 105 calories, while dark chocolate versions can be slightly higher or lower depending on cocoa content and thickness of the chocolate coating.

Nutritional Breakdown

Digestive biscuits are made primarily from refined wheat flour, sugar, vegetable oil, and raising agents, with some brands adding a small amount of wholemeal flour or oats. A typical digestive provides 10–12 grams of carbohydrates, 3–4 grams of fat, and under 1 gram of protein. Fibre content is modest about 0.5 to 1 gram per biscuit, unless it's a wholemeal or high-fibre variety.

They also contain a moderate amount of sodium from the raising agents and a small amount of calcium and iron if fortified. However, nutritionally speaking, digestives are high in energy but low in essential nutrients, making them more of a treat than a health food.

Calories by Type and Variety

The calorie count of a digestive biscuit varies slightly by type. Reduced-fat or light digestives might shave off 5 to 10 calories per biscuit but often contain extra starches or fillers to maintain texture, which doesn’t always improve the overall nutritional profile.

Chocolate digestives, including coated or sandwiched versions, carry a significantly higher energy load due to the added fat and sugar from the chocolate layer. Some of the highest-calorie versions, such as caramel-filled digestives or double-coated biscuits, can contain over 110 calories each.

Glycaemic Index and Blood Sugar Impact

Digestive biscuits have a medium to high glycaemic index, typically ranging from 65 to 70, meaning they raise blood sugar fairly quickly. They contain both refined flour and sugar, which are rapidly digested. For individuals trying to control blood sugar, such as those with diabetes or insulin resistance, digestives may not be ideal unless paired with protein or fat to help slow absorption.

Are Digestive Biscuits Healthy?

Digestive biscuits are not inherently healthy, but they can be enjoyed in moderation. Their high fat and sugar content makes them energy-rich but nutritionally sparse. They can easily fit into a balanced diet as an occasional treat, especially if you're mindful of portion sizes. The real problem arises when several are eaten at once, which is common due to their moreish texture and subtle sweetness.

They’re best treated like a dessert or indulgence, rather than a snack you rely on daily. Having one or two as part of a planned break is more manageable than keeping an open pack next to the kettle.

How Digestive Biscuits Are Made

Digestives are made by blending refined flour with sugar and vegetable oil or butter, then binding the dough with a small amount of liquid and leavening agents like sodium bicarbonate. They're rolled out, cut into rounds, and baked until golden. The name "digestive" originally referred to the presence of baking soda, believed to aid digestion though this health claim doesn’t hold up in modern nutrition.

Healthier Alternatives to Digestives

If you’re looking to reduce calories or improve nutrition, consider wholegrain crackers, oatcakes, or homemade high-fibre biscuits made with almond flour, oats, or reduced sugar. Another option is to pair a plain digestive with fruit or a spoon of nut butter, which can create a more balanced snack with longer-lasting energy and fewer empty carbs.

Portion Control Is Where Most People Slip Up

Digestive biscuits rarely come individually wrapped, so it’s easy to grab two or three without thinking. What seems like a quick snack can quietly climb to 250–300 calories before toppings like butter, peanut butter or chocolate spread are even added. That’s as much as a small meal — but without the nutritional value or lasting fullness.

Encouraging your readers to serve a specific number of biscuits onto a plate rather than eating from the pack can help reduce mindless eating.

"Light" Versions Aren’t Always Lower-Calorie

Many brands offer “light” or “reduced fat” digestive biscuits. While they often contain less fat, they may increase sugar or starch to maintain taste and texture. The result is that the calorie reduction is minimal, sometimes only 5 to 10 fewer calories per biscuit. And because the texture is lighter, people may end up eating more of them, which cancels out the benefit entirely.

Crumbled Digestives in Recipes Can Be a Hidden Source of Calories

Digestive biscuits are frequently used in dessert bases think cheesecake crusts, tiffins, or icebox cakes. When crushed and combined with butter or condensed milk, they become significantly more calorie dense. Even a “thin” base made from digestives in a cheesecake slice could add 150–200 calories on its own.

If you’re helping readers make informed food choices, this is a valuable detail: digestives in recipes don’t just disappear, their calories are still very much present, just hidden in a layer.

They’re Not the Same as High-Fibre or Wholemeal Snacks

Despite the slightly wholesome branding, digestive biscuits are not high in fibre unless clearly labelled as wholemeal or high-fibre versions. Standard digestives contain less than 1g of fibre per biscuit, which is not enough to count towards daily fibre goals. This matters for anyone who mistakenly thinks digestives are a healthier or more “natural” alternative to other biscuits.

Summary

A plain digestive biscuit contains around 70 to 85 calories, while chocolate-coated versions range from 90 to 110 calories. They are energy-dense, low in protein and fibre, and relatively high on the glycaemic index, which means they can spike blood sugar and add up quickly if not portioned carefully. While not inherently unhealthy, digestives are best enjoyed as an occasional treat rather than a daily snack. Being mindful of quantity and what you eat them with makes all the difference.