Parents who want to keep track of snack portions
You want to know how much energy a measured portion provides. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum) lists 158 kcal for a 25 g handful of unsalted almonds.
Who might consider almonds after school?
Families looking for simple almond products
You compare unroasted and roasted varieties, checking the salt, oil, seasoning and packaging. Product information from Albert Heijn, PLUS, Jumbo and Duyvis shows that ingredients vary between varieties.
Parents who need to consider allergies or school rules
You check for relevant allergens and find out what the school or after-school club allows. OBS De Venen, for example, has its own policy on nuts and peanuts; this is not a nationwide school rule.
What should you look for in almonds as an after-school snack?
First compare the energy per 100 g, then calculate it for the same serving size. Next, check the ingredients, the rules at the location, and how easy the almonds are to portion and store.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Check the kcal per 100 g and weigh the amount you serve. A portion listed on a pack is not personalised advice for a child. | If you want to know how much energy is in your after-school snack pot, check the actual number of grams served; around 36% of consumers prioritise this information. |
| Ingredients and salt | Read the ingredients list and check the salt per 100 g for that specific variety. | If you only want almonds, with no added oil or seasoning, the ingredients list is key; around 29% of consumers give simple ingredients top priority. |
| Eating safely and rules at the location | Check the allergens and warnings on the label, the school or after-school club rules, and whether the product format is suitable for your child. | If your child has a relevant allergy or attends a nut-free location, you’ll want to know whether almonds are allowed at all; around 21% of consumers prioritise safe and permitted use. |
| Portioning and storage | Compare the net weight and any stated portion size. Follow the storage instructions and check whether the pack is resealable. | If you want to prepare snacks for several occasions, a suitable pack or pre-measured container can help; around 14% of consumers give portioning and storage top priority. |
Common mistakes when buying almonds for after school
-
Confusing ‘no added fat’ with low-calorie
Almonds contain energy naturally. The Duyvis variety is described as made without added oil or fat, but Albert Heijn’s product information lists 635 kcal per 100 g.
Check the energy information and ingredients separately. Words describing how a product is made do not mean it is low in energy.
-
Comparing portions from different packs directly
Albert Heijn lists a 25 g portion for its unsalted almonds, while Duyvis lists an average portion of 30 g. So ‘one portion’ does not always mean the same amount.
Compare the values per 100 g or calculate them for the same weight. Don’t treat that calculated amount as dietary advice for a child.
-
Assuming unsalted means almonds only
The ingredients list for Jumbo Unsalted Almonds includes sunflower oil as well as almonds. ‘Unsalted’ says nothing by itself about the other ingredients.
Check the ingredients for the exact variety if you’re looking for almonds and nothing else.
-
Assuming a snack that’s fine at home is suitable for school
A school or after-school club may have its own rules about nuts. OBS De Venen, for example, bans nuts and peanuts at that school; its policy does not automatically apply elsewhere.
Ask your child’s school or after-school club about its rules, and check for relevant allergens before packing almonds.
Almond brands and varieties at a glance
Duyvis
The Almonds Original/Oven roasted variety described is a 125 g pack of oven-roasted almonds with a savoury seasoning.
- Duyvis describes the almonds as made without added oil or fat.
- Albert Heijn’s product information lists 635 kcal and 1.1 g of salt per 100 g. So the preparation description does not mean the variety is low-calorie or unsalted.
Albert Heijn
AH Unsalted Almonds 190 g is a roasted variety with a simple ingredients list.
- The ingredients list contains almonds; the label shows 627 kcal per 100 g and a portion size of 25 g.
- This information applies to the variety named, not to all Albert Heijn almonds.
Jumbo
Jumbo Unsalted Almonds 140 g is a roasted, unsalted own-brand variety.
- Jumbo lists 99% almonds and sunflower oil, 661 kcal per 100 g and a rounded figure of 165 kcal per 25 g.
- For this variety, unsalted does not mean that the product contains almonds only.
Lidl
Lidl lists varieties including unsalted almonds and 200 g packs of unroasted almonds.
- The unroasted variety gives you the option to choose by preparation method.
- Check the information on the exact pack if energy, ingredients or salt are important to your choice.
ALDI
The Trader Joe’s Almonds 200 g described are roasted and unsalted.
- ALDI lists the pack as resealable.
- For a comparison of energy and ingredients, check the information on the exact pack.
PLUS
PLUS Unroasted and Unsalted Almonds 200 g is an unroasted own-brand variety.
- The ingredients list contains almonds only. The label shows 591 kcal per 100 g, 13 g of fibre and 24 g of protein.
- These are product declarations; on their own, they tell you nothing about taste or how filling the product is.
Almond products at Joybuy
This selection includes almonds with almonds as the only ingredient, as well as a roasted, salted variety. Compare the ingredients and stated energy per 100 g with your snack occasion.
Image unavailable
Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels 160 g
The ingredients information lists 100% almonds; the kernels are ready to eat.
The product description specifies whole kernels. Bear in mind the choking risk for young children, and make sure your child sits down calmly while eating.
Image unavailable
g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted 200 g
An unroasted, unsalted variety with almonds as its only ingredient.
The product information lists 591 kcal per 100 g. Compare this value with the same quantity of another variety; it does not make this product low-calorie.
Image unavailable
Anatolia Badem Natural almonds 500 gr
The ingredients information lists 100% almonds with no added salt; the product description says they can be eaten as a snack straight from the pack.
The stated energy is 578 kcal per 100 g. Use the value per 100 g to compare like for like.
Image unavailable
Anatolia roasted, salted almonds 500 g
This variety is roasted and salted; the product information lists 620 kcal and 1.0 g of salt per 100 g.
The product information warns of a choking risk for young children and says the product is not suitable for babies.
Frequently asked questions
Are almonds a low-calorie snack?
No, the varieties checked list 591–661 kcal per 100 g. According to the European Commission, the ‘low-calorie’ claim for solid foods is limited to a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g.
How do I calculate the energy in the amount I serve?
Multiply the kcal per 100 g by the number of grams, then divide by 100. For example, 25 g of AH Unsalted Almonds is 627 × 25 ÷ 100 = 156.75 kcal. This is a calculation based on the average value on the label, not personalised dietary advice for a child.
Is 25 g automatically the right amount for my child?
No, 25 g is used here as a comparison amount and appears in product information and the Voedingscentrum calorie checker. The Voedingscentrum notes that children are growing and need a suitable eating pattern, so don’t treat a calculated portion as personalised advice.
Can my child take almonds to school or an after-school club?
That depends on the rules at the location your child attends. OBS De Venen, for example, publishes a school-wide ban on nuts and peanuts; this is not a nationwide rule. Ask the school or after-school club about its own policy.
How can I give my child almonds while taking care with choking risks?
Bear in mind the choking risk posed by whole nuts. The Voedingscentrum advises staying with your child and making sure they sit calmly while eating. Choose a product format that suits their eating skills, and don’t let them eat while walking or playing.