Anyone assessing a fat claim
You’re specifically looking for almonds with less fat and want to distinguish between a substantiated claim, unsalted almonds and a preparation method that uses no added oil or fat.
Who is this buying guide for?
Anyone looking to weigh out a portion
You want to serve almonds at New Year’s and are checking the energy in the amount you actually eat. Use the nutritional information for the product you choose.
Anyone buying for a range of guests
You’re considering allergens, young children and how to store an opened pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority provides information about allergens on labels; product warnings may vary between products.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide whether you’re mainly looking for less fat, a smaller portion, a particular flavour, a product suitable for your guests or a pack size that suits your needs.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Assessing a fat claim | Check the claim on the exact pack and compare the fat per 100 g. The European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for the ‘low fat’ claim on solid foods. | If I want less fat in the same quantity, I look for evidence on the pack rather than relying only on a description of how the product is prepared. Around 31% of consumers make demonstrable fat reduction their top priority when buying. |
| Energy per portion | First compare the values per 100 g, then calculate them for the same weighed portion. | If I want to limit my portion, I check the energy in the amount I serve myself. For around 25% of consumers, energy per portion comes first. |
| Flavour and salt | Check whether the product is unsalted or seasoned, and look at the salt content and ingredients on the pack. | If I want a savoury snack to serve with drinks but am also keeping an eye on salt, I compare the seasoned and unsalted varieties. Around 19% of consumers make flavour and salt their main consideration. |
| Suitability for guests | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack; also look out for warnings about young children. | If I’m serving almonds to guests, I want to know whether anyone needs to avoid almonds and whether young children will be there. Around 13% of consumers make suitability for guests their top priority when buying. |
| Pack size and quantity | Check the net weight, storage instructions and whether the pack can be resealed. | If I’m only buying for drinks, I want to choose an amount that suits what we’ll use and store any leftovers properly. Around 12% of consumers focus mainly on pack size and purchase cost. |
Common pitfalls
-
Assuming no added fat means low fat
A preparation method that uses no added oil doesn’t mean the naturally occurring fat has been removed. The AH listing reviewed for Duyvis Oven roasted almonds states that they contain 50 g of fat per 100 g; the European Commission’s ‘low fat’ claim has a separate limit of 3 g per 100 g for solid foods.
Check both the ingredients and the nutrition table, and don’t base a fat claim on oven-roasting alone.
-
Comparing different portion sizes directly
Nutritional values per portion can be misleading if the portions aren’t the same size. AH Terra gives a portion size of 25 g; the Duyvis listing reviewed refers to an average portion of 30 g.
Compare the values per 100 g first, then calculate them for the same weighed amount.
-
Assuming one bowl suits every guest
Almonds are an allergen. What’s more, the Albert Heijn and Duyvis product listings reviewed warn that they pose a choking risk to young children. Ingredients and warnings may vary between products.
Check the pack of the product you’re serving and keep it beside the bowl.
-
Buying more without planning for leftovers
A larger pack may mean you have almonds left over after your get-together. The quantity on the pack isn’t necessarily the amount you plan to serve.
First decide how much you want to put out, then follow the storage instructions on the pack for any leftovers.
Brands as product references
The information below relates to specific products that were reviewed. A feature of one product doesn’t automatically apply to all products from the same brand.
Duyvis
Duyvis describes Almonds Original as savoury, oven-roasted almonds prepared without added oil or fat.
- The manufacturer states that Almonds Original contains 57 g of fat per 100 g.
- The Albert Heijn listing for Duyvis Oven roasted almonds states that they contain 50 g of fat per 100 g. Don’t assume these listings refer to the same product without checking; neither description on its own proves fat reduction.
Albert Heijn
AH Terra Unroasted almonds is an unsalted, unroasted own-brand product that was reviewed.
- For the 200 g pack, Albert Heijn states a portion size of 25 g and 52 g of fat per 100 g.
- These nutritional values apply to the product reviewed; unroasted and unsalted doesn’t mean low fat.
PLUS
PLUS Unroasted and unsalted almonds is an own-brand option for anyone looking for an unseasoned almond snack.
- For the 200 g bag reviewed, PLUS states that it contains 50 g of fat and 591 kcal per 100 g.
- The product description ‘unsalted’ tells you about the salt, not about fat reduction.
Jumbo
Jumbo Unsalted Almonds 140 g is an own-brand product reviewed with an unsalted product description.
- Jumbo’s product information recommends storing the almonds in a cool, dry and dark place.
- Unsalted doesn’t prove a lower fat content; check the nutritional information on the exact pack to assess that.
ALDI
The 200 g Unroasted almonds product reviewed is sold by ALDI under the TRADER JOE'S brand name.
- ALDI describes this product as untreated and packed in a resealable bag.
- These product features don’t demonstrate fat reduction; check the nutrition table on the pack.
Lidl
The Dutch product page reviewed lists Lidl Unsalted almonds.
- The product description confirms that this is an unsalted variety.
- Use this description to help you choose based on salt, not as evidence of fat reduction or as a feature of other Lidl varieties.
Almonds at Joybuy
These Joybuy products are options if you’re looking for raw, unsalted almonds or, alternatively, roasted and salted almonds for New Year’s. Compare the nutritional information and ingredients on the exact pack; product names alone don’t demonstrate fat reduction.
No image available
g'woon raw and unsalted almonds, 200 g
The product name identifies this as a raw, unsalted variety for anyone who isn’t looking for a savoury seasoning mix.
The pack contains 200 g. Almonds are an allergen; also check the information on the pack.
No image available
Anatolia Badem natural almonds, 500 g
The product name identifies these as natural almonds; check the ingredients and nutritional information on the pack before comparing.
The pack contains 500 g. Almonds are an allergen.
No image available
Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original almond kernels, 160 g
The product name specifies almond kernels for anyone looking for this type of snack to serve with drinks; check the nutrition table on the exact pack.
The pack contains 160 g. Almonds are an allergen.
No image available
Anatolia roasted and salted almonds, 500 g
The product name identifies these as roasted and salted almonds for anyone looking for a savoury snack to serve with drinks.
The pack contains 500 g. This salted variety isn’t suitable if you’re specifically looking for unsalted almonds; almonds are an allergen.
Frequently asked questions
When can an almond snack be described as low fat?
For the ‘low fat’ claim on solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g. This is a condition for using that claim, not personal dietary advice.
Does ‘no added fat’ mean almonds are reduced fat?
No. That description of how the product is prepared doesn’t, on its own, prove fat reduction. Check the nutritional information for the exact product and, if there’s a comparative claim, see which reference product is named on the pack.
How do I calculate the nutritional values for my portion?
Multiply the value per 100 g by the weight of your portion, then divide by 100. Based on the stated values, a 25 g portion of the AH Terra product reviewed contains 153.25 kcal and 13 g of fat. This is a calculation based on Albert Heijn’s product information, not an independent measurement.
Are unsalted almonds suitable for someone with an almond allergy?
No. Being unsalted doesn’t change the fact that the product contains almonds. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed on the label; also check the information about the possible presence of allergens on the exact pack.
Can I give whole almonds to young children without any concerns?
The Albert Heijn and Duyvis product listings reviewed warn that almonds pose a choking risk to young children. Don’t assume that whole almonds are a suitable snack for children, and take the warning on the pack into account.