Parents choosing an everyday snack
You’re looking for a simple after-school snack and are considering the quantity, ingredients and whether the almonds are unsalted. Voedingscentrum lists unsalted nuts as a possible snack for children aged 4 to 12.
Who is this choice for?
Those choosing a snack for a sports session
You want to know how much protein a weighed portion provides, without assuming that a child automatically needs a special protein product because they do sport. Voedingscentrum provides general guidance on sports nutrition; it does not give individual protein targets for children.
Families who want easy portioning
You want to prepare a snack easily or take it with you, so you’re considering the packaging, storage and flavour variety. ALDI describes Trader Joe’s unroasted almonds as being packed in a resealable bag.
What should you look for?
When comparing almonds for an after-school snack, consider the portion you actually plan to give, the exact variety and any rules about taking it with you.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein in the portion | Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and calculate them for the same quantity. Consider a ‘high in protein’ claim separately from the number of grams of protein; the NVWA describes nutrition claims as statements about nutrients or energy value. | If I’m choosing almonds for a sports session, I want to know how much protein the portion actually provides. Around 25% of consumers mainly focus on protein per portion when making this choice. |
| Allergens and safe use | Read the ingredients and product-specific allergen warnings. Also consider whether whole nuts are suitable and whether the school or childcare setting allows them. | If there is a possible allergy, difficulty chewing or a nut-free school policy, suitability comes before flavour or protein. Around 25% of consumers prioritise safe and permitted use. |
| Ingredients for everyday use | Check the ingredients and salt content of the exact variety. ‘Roasted’ or ‘without added oil or fat’ does not automatically mean that no salt has been added. | If I’m choosing a snack for an everyday occasion, I look for unsalted almonds that fit into my usual diet. Around 17% of consumers give the ingredients for everyday use top priority. |
| Portioning and storage | Check the net weight, how the pack closes and the storage instructions once opened. | For consumers who want to prepare a snack in advance or take it with them, portioning and resealing the pack are important. Around 17% prioritise portioning and storage. |
| Flavour and variety | Check whether the almonds are unroasted, unsalted, roasted or salted; these are different varieties. | If my child tends to choose a particular flavour, I want to be able to identify the exact variety. Around 16% of consumers place the greatest importance on whether their child likes the flavour. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘without added oil or fat’ means ‘unsalted’
A description of how a product is prepared doesn’t automatically tell you which seasonings have been used. Albert Heijn’s Dutch product information lists salt in Duyvis Oven roasted almonds.
Check the ingredients and salt content of the exact variety you’re buying.
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Confusing the nutritional value per 100 g with a snack portion
A value per 100 g is useful for comparing products, but it doesn’t tell you how much protein your child will get from the amount you give them. According to Voedingscentrum, the right amount depends on factors including age and sex.
First compare the same quantity, then adjust the portion to suit your child and their overall diet.
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Thinking a different way of eating almonds makes them suitable for someone with a nut allergy
Grinding almonds or serving them in another form doesn’t change the fact that the product contains almonds. Any product warning about other possible allergens also needs to be checked separately.
Assess allergens, chewing and any school rules separately; don’t base your decision on the form in which the almonds are eaten.
Brands to consider
The information below applies to the product lines or specific varieties mentioned. The characteristics of one product don’t automatically apply to every almond from the same brand.
Duyvis
Worth considering for savoury oven-roasted almonds in a 125 g pack.
- The manufacturer says the almonds are roasted without added oil or fat.
- Albert Heijn’s Dutch product information lists salt and seasonings, so the product description doesn’t mean this variety is unsalted.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand variety checked is roasted, unsalted almonds in a 190 g pack.
- The ingredients list for this variety names almonds.
- The product warning mentions possible traces of other nuts and peanuts; this information doesn’t automatically apply to other AH almond products.
Jumbo
The own-brand variety checked is roasted, unsalted almonds in a 140 g pack.
- The Dutch product information lists almonds as an ingredient.
- The ingredients list also includes sunflower oil, so ‘unsalted’ doesn’t mean this variety contains almonds alone.
Lidl
Alesto is a relevant product line for natural and other almond varieties at Lidl.
- Lidl describes Alesto almonds as natural.
- This is retailer information; the characteristics of one Alesto variety don’t automatically apply to every almond variety.
Aldi
The retailer named offers unroasted almonds and separate roasted Trader Joe’s flavour varieties.
- ALDI describes the 200 g unroasted variety as untreated and packed in a resealable bag.
- Salted and smoky-flavour varieties are separate products; check the label of each one.
Plus
The own-brand variety checked is unroasted, unsalted almonds in a 200 g pack.
- The ingredients list for this variety names almonds only.
- The product warning mentions possible traces of other nuts and peanuts; this doesn’t automatically apply to all PLUS nuts.
Almond products at Joybuy
These almond products from Joybuy are suitable for snacking and differ in flavour, as well as in their stated protein and salt values. A protein value per 100 g isn’t a portion recommendation and doesn’t, on its own, prove that a product can be described as ‘high in protein’.
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Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels 160 g
The product description says the almond kernels are ready to eat, making them a handy choice if you’re looking for a snack that needs no preparation.
Joybuy’s product information lists 100% almond kernels and 21,5 g of protein per 100 g; the salt content is listed as 0,028 g per 100 g.
Contains almonds; not suitable for anyone with a relevant nut allergy or for a nut-free school zone.
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g’woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted 200 g
The product title describes raw, unsalted almonds; this variety is suitable if that’s what you’re looking for in a snack.
Joybuy’s product information lists 24 g of protein per 100 g. Check the pack for the details and warnings for the exact variety.
Contains almonds; not suitable for anyone with a relevant nut allergy or for a nut-free school zone.
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Anatolia Roasted Salted Almonds 500 g
These roasted, salted almonds are an option if you’re looking for a savoury almond snack and deliberately choosing a salted variety.
Joybuy’s product information lists 21 g of protein and 1,0 g of salt per 100 g.
Contains almonds; not suitable for anyone with a relevant nut allergy or for a nut-free school zone.
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Anatolia Badem Natural Almonds 500 g
The product description says these almonds can be eaten straight from the pack as a snack; the ingredients list states 100% almonds.
Joybuy’s product information lists 21,0 g of protein and 0,00 g of salt per 100 g.
Contains almonds; not suitable for anyone with a relevant nut allergy or for a nut-free school zone.
Frequently asked questions
Does a child who does sport after school automatically need special protein snacks?
No. Doing sport doesn’t in itself mean that a child needs a special protein product. Voedingscentrum recommends a varied diet as the foundation and says that most people who do sport don’t need special protein bars or shakes. This is general information, not an individual protein target for children.
Is 25 g of almonds a standard recommended portion for every school-aged child?
No. Here, 25 g is simply a basis for comparing products. According to Voedingscentrum, how much a child can have as a snack depends on factors including age and sex.
What should you consider if a child eats whole almonds?
Make sure your child is sitting calmly and stay nearby while they eat. Voedingscentrum warns that whole nuts can cause choking and advises against giving whole nuts to children under 4.
What allergen information should you check when buying almonds?
Read the ingredients list and warnings on the pack for the exact variety. According to the NVWA, any relevant allergens must be clearly listed in the ingredients; also check product-specific warnings about possible cross-contamination. Almonds are nuts, so they aren’t a nut-free snack.
How should you store an opened bag of almonds?
Follow the storage instructions for the exact variety. For Duyvis Oven roasted almonds, Albert Heijn’s Dutch product information says to store them in a cool, dry place and, once opened, preferably use a container that keeps out light and air.