Are Digestive Biscuits Good For Weight Loss? (12 Important Things to know)
When you’re new to the world of weight loss and are just getting into the tricks and hacks that make this process smoother, you will most definitely come across the magical products broadly termed digestive biscuits.
Now although the term digestive sounds pretty attractive to a person looking to quickly lose weight, do these biscuits do all that they promise like Are Digestive Biscuits Good For Weight Loss?
The simple answer is no, they are not good for weight loss. In effect, these biscuits do not do much except slow down your digestion process and this can be harmful in many ways which will be discussed shortly.
But since there are widespread debates relating to the various advantages and disadvantages of these biscuits, in this article, we aim to draw parallels between these differences of expert opinions and finally come to a conclusion to set the record straight for all our readers.
What are digestive biscuits?
So first off, let’s discuss what these biscuits are. Digestive biscuits are essentially semi-sweet biscuits that have a crumbled and fibrous texture. They come in many shapes, sizes and, flavors and are produced by many different companies that market them as a healthy alternative to normal biscuits.
Most digestive biscuit brands advertise their biscuits by stressing their high fiber content which gives these biscuits the benefit of improving and promoting the consumers’ overall digestive health. In addition, they are also low in calories and not very dense which also supposedly aids with weight loss.
What ingredients are Digestive Biscuits made of?
Most digestive biscuits broadly contain some amalgamation 7-8 nutrients. First and foremost we have wheat flour. Now there may be different proportions of this depending on the brand. Generally, this ingredient gives digestive biscuits their distinctive flavor as well as their texture.
Next comes the sugar. This essentially gives the biscuits their sweet flavor and is often used in a granulated form. The amount of sugar in different versions of biscuits varies widely. Some are semi-sweet and some use maple syrup or stevia as a substitute for sugar.
Most biscuits use some sort of cooking or vegetable oil which is the ingredient that keeps the biscuits tender and moist. Salt is also a popular biscuit ingredient as it enhances the taste. Often, to make digestive biscuits more appealing, a range of preservatives are also added.
Malt Extract is also a popular ingredient in the making of biscuits as it adds a little crispness, and texture to the biscuit. As an added source of fiber, wholemeal is also used. And lastly, most biscuits also use some sort of raising agent such as sodium bicarbonate.
Now that you are familiar with what goes in the making of these biscuits, does it still sound very healthy and friendly on the stomach?
Why they don’t help with weight loss?
Too little fiber
The primary way that they are thought to be weight loss friendly is through their high fiber content. The human body’s fiber needs are greater than the amount digestive biscuits offer. Therefore, solely eating digestive biscuits instead of proper meals can be unhealthy in the long term.
Slows down metabolism
In addition, science shows that digestive biscuits slow down your digestive process by filling your intestines with fiber, thereby making you feel more satiated and reducing your overall hunger levels. However, this process inevitably slows down your metabolism and proves to be counterproductive.
Have unhealthy saturated fats
Another drawback to them is that they contain unhealthy saturated fats that do not aid with the weight loss process. Also, while they are low in calories, the calories that they do contain are hollow and not as nutritious as they could be.
Not good for high blood pressure
People who struggle with high blood pressure should also avoid these biscuits since the sodium count within them is very high. Only eating around 2-4 biscuits is the equivalent of eating an entire pack of chips. And high cholesterol is the enemy of weight loss as everyone knows.
No added vitamins or minerals
Now, if you were making nutritious biscuits, you would want them to have some added vitamins and minerals, right? Well, in that regard, these biscuits are an utter disappointment because they don’t contain any beneficial vitamins and minerals. Even the milk that is added to them is generally non-fat milk which lacks the necessary amount of calcium.
Too much sugar
Now let’s talk about the sugar content in these biscuits. It is quite a well-known fact that weight loss-friendly foods are usually low in sugar. Well, these biscuits do not follow the same principles of weight loss apparently because their sugar content is usually very high. Such high levels do not complement weight loss in the long run.
Hollow calories
Next, we will take a long look at the calories. 100 grams of flavored digestive biscuits are generally worth approximately 95 calories, while the normal and more organic ones come to about 75 calories. This is a lot. A much healthier snack to eat would be an egg which comes at only about 90 calories and has much more nutrient-rich calories.
Extra preservatives
Overall, digestive biscuits are highly processed foods that are not as healthy as they seem. They are filled to the brim with unnatural preservatives to make them last longer, but once consumed these preservatives are not very healthy on the human body.
Some healthy alternatives to digestive biscuits
Buying a processed store product that’s not even healthy and probably very costly is not the best option out there. As an alternative, you are much better off baking some fresh homemade biscuits for yourself. There are just so many things you can put in cookies. Furthermore, if you have any sort of intolerance or preference, you can cater to those as well.
Nut Biscuits
The first option we have is that of nuts. Biscuits made of only carbohydrates are not very weight loss friendly since they provide you with little satiation and more calories. However, if you make whole-grain cookies and add some nuts in there, you would also be eating healthy protein and fats.
These are more satiating and will keep you fuller for longer. However, if you are allergic to nuts, you can alternately put raisins in these biscuits. Find a similar recipe here.
Granola Biscuits
Granola biscuits are all the new hype and so they are our second recommendation. These will generally include oats which are one of the healthiest choices of whole grains. Furthermore, they taste good too and add a little bit of crunch to your biscuits.
To these, you can also add honey, nuts and, even chocolate if you’re feeling festive. But only in moderation. Find one such recipe by clicking here.
Chickpea Cookies
Lastly, cookies made of chickpeas are also incredibly satiating and healthy, albeit they are a little more technical to make. But if you’re determined to lose those extra pounds, these cookies are definitely worth the effort.
Simply blend some chickpeas depending on how many cookies you’re making and add an amalgamation of ingredients to them. Click here to get your hands on a chickpea biscuit recipe.
Are all digestive biscuits bad?
All this being said, some digestive biscuits in the market are indeed healthy and good for weight loss. This is because they are made using more organic and nutritious ingredients that are much lighter on the stomach. One such brand that sells healthy digestive biscuits is that of Tiffanys’.
In the end, what matters is how much you’re consuming a product. Digestive biscuits even if unhealthy and fattening, can still be enjoyed now and then if eaten in moderation. However, do not make it a habit or a weight-loss hack to eat these regularly since they are not sustainable in the long run.
Conclusion
All in all, we have finally uncovered that most digestive biscuits are in fact, not good for weight loss. Some alternatives are more beneficial in terms of shedding those extra pounds. So be careful when buying digestive biscuits and pay special attention to labels. Here are other healthy ways through which you can reduce weight.
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Frequenlty Asked Questions
Can diabetics eat digestive biscuits?
Some digestive biscuits that have nuts in them and are sugar-free can be consumed by diabetics. However, only in moderation. Some of these are available in oats and ragi variants and this high dietary fiber can help keep blood sugar levels stable.
Are Digestive biscuits sugar-free?
No, most digestive biscuits have some amount of sugar in them if not a lot. However, there are some brands such as Tiffany Digestive Sugar-Free Natural Wheat Biscuits that contain zero added sugars as well as zero gluten, making these a healthy snack option.
Do digestive biscuits help you poop?
Although, the biscuits are high in fiber content, according to some registered dieticians they slow down the process of digestion by taking too much time to be broken down by the body. So it is unlikely that they will make you poop faster.
Do digestive biscuits contain milk?
Most digestive biscuits of different brands have some amount of milk in them. However, some brands make dairy-free biscuits for diary intolerant consumers. One such brand is that of McVities which has zero amount of skimmed milk in it.
