Parents packing lunchboxes
You want to pack almonds easily without putting a whole bag in the lunchbox. Check the weight of each individual pack; with a regular bag, you can decide how much to pack.
Who is this guide for?
Families sharing snacks at home
You use one pack for different snack times or children and want to decide on the portions yourself. ALDI lists a resealable pack for the Trader Joe’s product mentioned; check the packaging and storage instructions for other products.
Parents considering age and allergens
Your choice also depends on who will eat the snack and where you’ll be taking it. The Voedingscentrum advises giving children under 4 nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of whole nuts; also check the allergen information for the exact product.
What should you look for in almonds for after school?
First, decide whether you want ready-to-go individual packs or would rather portion the almonds yourself. Then check the ingredients, the amount in each pack and what you need to consider when packing them safely.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging and portions | Check the number of individual packs and the weight of each one, not just the total weight. A multipack of larger bags is not the same as a pack of individual portions. | If you pack lunchboxes, you’ll want to know how much you’re giving each time and whether you’ll need to portion it yourself. Around 33% of consumers prioritise packaging and the amount per snack occasion. |
| Age and allergens | Check whether whole nuts are suitable for the child’s age and eating ability, read the allergen information and follow the rules at their school or childcare setting. | When choosing something for children or to share, take age, allergies and where it will be eaten into account. Around 33% of consumers start by considering safe eating and responsible sharing. |
| Ingredients | Look for an explicit ‘unsalted’ label and check whether the product contains only almonds or is a nut mix. A preparation claim doesn’t automatically tell you how much salt the product contains. | If you want a specific product composition, check the ingredients list for the exact product. Around 17% of consumers prioritise ingredients and choosing unsalted almonds. |
| Stock and storage | Compare the total amount and check whether the packaging is resealable. Follow the storage instructions on the pack; portioning it yourself takes extra effort. | If you’re buying almonds for several occasions, you’ll want an amount that suits how you use them and to know how to store the opened pack. Around 17% of consumers prioritise stock and storage. |
Common pitfalls
-
Assuming a small pack is automatically safe for every child
A small pack doesn’t remove the choking risk posed by whole nuts.
Choose a product that’s suitable for the child’s age. For children under 4, the Voedingscentrum advises giving nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of nuts.
-
Treating a nut mix as if it were pure almonds
A mix contains other types of nuts, so its composition is different from a product containing only almonds. For example, Duyvis lists almonds, walnuts, cashews and hazelnuts in its Unsalted Nutmix Walnut.
Check the ingredients for the exact product and only choose a mix if it’s suitable for the person who’ll be eating it.
-
Confusing a bulk pack with small lunchbox portions
The trade pack of Duyvis Almonds Original described by Dutch Food Delights contains 10 x 125 grams; these are larger bags, not ten small snacks.
Check the weight of each individual pack and decide whether you’ll need to portion it yourself.
A larger supply needs more storage space, and you’ll still have to portion it yourself.
-
Confusing ‘no added fat’ with ‘unsalted’
Duyvis describes Almonds Original as roasted without added oil or fat and labels the product as savoury. This doesn’t prove that it’s unsalted.
Check whether the exact product is explicitly labelled as unsalted and read the ingredients on the pack.
Brands to consider
Duyvis
Duyvis lists Unsalted Almonds and Almonds Original in 125 g packs. Albert Heijn also listed a multipack of 4 x 30 g.
- Duyvis lists almonds and sunflower oil as ingredients in Unsalted Almonds.
- Albert Heijn lists the 4 x 30 g multipack as discontinued. The preparation description for Almonds Original doesn’t prove that the product is unsalted.
Albert Heijn
AH Unsalted Almonds is an own-brand option if you’re looking for unsalted almonds and want to decide on the portions yourself.
- Albert Heijn confirms the product details on its product page.
- The regular pack is not the same as a multipack of individual portions. Albert Heijn recommends checking the pack you receive, as product information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo Unsalted Almonds 140 g is a smaller pack to portion yourself.
- Jumbo lists the pack size as 140 g and recommends storing the product in a cool, dark place.
- These storage instructions don’t confirm that the pack is resealable.
Lidl
Lidl lists unroasted almonds in a 200 g pack, a larger size that you can portion yourself.
- The Lidl product page states that the almonds are unroasted and the pack contains 200 g.
- Unroasted doesn’t automatically mean unsalted; check the current pack for the exact ingredients.
ALDI
ALDI lists roasted, unsalted 200 g almonds under the Trader Joe’s brand in a resealable pack.
- ALDI’s product information confirms the product, pack size and resealable packaging.
- These details apply to the product mentioned and don’t automatically apply to other almond products.
PLUS
PLUS lists unroasted, unsalted almonds in a 200 g stand-up pouch, a larger pack to portion yourself.
- The Dutch product page confirms the product type and pack size.
- The term ‘stand-up pouch’ doesn’t prove that the pack is resealable. Check the current packaging for ingredients and storage instructions.
Almond products at Joybuy
These Joybuy products come in regular packs of almonds for you to portion out for snacks or lunchboxes.
Image unavailable
Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original almond kernels 160 g
The 160 g pack is a good option if you want to portion out almonds for different snack occasions.
The product name specifies almond kernels.
Image unavailable
g'woon raw, unsalted almonds 200 g
This pack could suit you if you’re looking for a supply of almonds to portion out for different snack occasions.
The product name specifies raw, unsalted almonds and a pack size of 200 g.
Image unavailable
Anatolia Badem Natural (Almond) 500 gr
The 500 gr pack is for anyone who wants a larger amount to portion out for several occasions.
The product name specifies almonds and a pack size of 500 gr.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 30 g pack automatically a suitable snack for my child?
No. For the former Duyvis multipack listed by Albert Heijn, 30 g is the weight of one pack, not a personal dietary recommendation. Choose an amount that suits your child and the rest of their snack.
Can a child under 4 eat whole almonds?
Because of the choking risk, the Voedingscentrum advises giving children under 4 nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of nuts. Choosing a smaller pack doesn’t change that advice.
What should I look for in allergen information?
Read the allergen information on the pack of the exact product before packing or sharing almonds. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that prepacked products must display allergen information on the label. For example, Duyvis warns that Unsalted Almonds may contain traces of peanuts and various other nuts.
How should I store an opened pack?
Follow the instructions on the packaging. For its 140 g Unsalted Almonds, Jumbo recommends storing the product in a cool, dark place. For the former Duyvis multipack, Albert Heijn recommends storing an opened pack in a light- and airtight container.
Is the Duyvis multipack of 4 x 30 g still available at Albert Heijn?
Albert Heijn lists this multipack as discontinued. Treat this as information about the pack size, not as a current buying recommendation.