For a children’s party, start by choosing a safe way to serve almonds and checking for allergies. Then compare their ingredients and energy content per 100 g. The standard almond products reviewed here are not low in calories: according to the European Commission, this claim can only be used for solid foods containing no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g. Weighing out a portion helps you see how much energy you’re serving, but it isn’t dietary advice for children.
You want to serve almonds at a children’s party, but the guests’ ages, chewing ability and food allergies should determine which form is suitable. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts to children under 4.
You want to know how much energy the snack you serve contains and compare products fairly, without putting children on a diet or describing regular almonds as low in calories. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against putting children on a diet on your own initiative.
You might be looking for unsalted almonds with a straightforward ingredients list to use in your own recipes. It’s useful to distinguish between plain, oil-roasted and seasoned varieties.
First decide how to serve the almonds safely and which ingredients suit your needs. Then compare the energy content per 100 g and choose a pack size that fits your plans.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Safe ways to serve and allergens | Choose a suitable form for the children’s ages and chewing ability. Read the ingredients and allergen warnings, and check with parents about any known allergies. | If I’m serving almonds to children, I first want to know whether the form is suitable and whether allergies are a concern. Around 36% of consumers prioritise safe ways to serve and allergen information. |
| Energy per 100 g | Compare kcal per 100 g, then calculate the amount you’ll actually serve. A serving size on the pack is not dietary advice for children. | If I want to know how much energy the amount I’m serving contains, I compare the same quantity rather than different pack serving sizes. Around 29% of consumers say energy information is their main consideration. |
| Ingredients and added salt | Check the ingredients list and salt content of the exact variety. Terms such as ‘unsalted’ or ‘roasted’ don’t tell you everything about what’s in it. | If I’m looking for a simple ingredient list, I want to know whether oil, salt or flavourings have been added. Around 21% of consumers put ingredients and added salt first. |
| Packaging and storage | Choose a net weight that suits your serving plans and follow the storage instructions on the pack you buy. | If I want to make preparing and storing leftovers easy, I check the pack size and how to store the product after opening. Around 14% of consumers give packaging, preparation and storage top priority. |
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts to children under 4. Older children can also choke on them.
For young children, choose another suitable snack, or offer nut butter or ground nuts. Make sure children eat sitting down, take their time and are supervised.
Unsalted says nothing about energy content. Duyvis describes Almonds Original as roasted without added oil or fat, but the ingredients do include salt and flavourings.
Check energy, ingredients and salt separately. Don’t describe regular almonds as low in calories because of how they’re prepared.
Differences in energy per pack serving can be partly due to the serving sizes listed. For example, Albert Heijn lists a 25 g serving for AH Unsalted Almonds and a 30 g serving for Duyvis Oven Roasted.
First compare the values per 100 g, then calculate them for the same quantity. Don’t use a pack serving size as a recommended portion for children.
Almonds are an allergen in their own right. A product containing only almonds may also carry warnings about other nuts or peanuts.
Read the allergen information on the pack and, if you know of any allergies, check with the parents before serving anything.
The Almonds Original and Oven Roasted products described here are examples of savoury, seasoned roasted almonds.
The AH products mentioned are unsalted roasted almonds and unsalted blanched, unroasted almonds.
Jumbo Unsalted Almonds 140 g is an example of unsalted almonds roasted in oil.
Unsalted Almonds is the name of a relevant Lidl product variety in the Netherlands.
TRADER JOE'S Unroasted Almonds 200 g is an example of unroasted almonds in a resealable pack.
PLUS Unroasted and Unsalted Almonds 200 g is an option if you want to use unroasted almonds in your own recipes.
This selection of Joybuy products includes plain and unsalted almonds, as well as roasted and salted varieties. Compare the energy and ingredients per 100 g, and choose a suitable way to serve them at a children’s party.
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A good choice if you’re looking for almonds to eat as they are or use in recipes; don’t serve them whole to children under 4.
Joybuy product information lists 100% almond kernels and 622 kcal per 100 g.
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A good choice if you’re looking for unsalted almonds to use as an ingredient or serve as a snack; consider the form when serving them to young children.
Joybuy product information lists almonds as the ingredient and 591 kcal per 100 g.
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A good choice if you’re looking for plain almonds to eat as a snack or use in recipes; when serving whole nuts, consider the ages of your guests.
Joybuy product information lists 100% almonds, 578 kcal and 0,00 g salt per 100 g.
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A good choice if you’re looking for a roasted, salted variety for a party; it’s different from unsalted almonds.
Joybuy product information lists 620 kcal and 1,0 g salt per 100 g. The product information warns that these may pose a choking risk to young children.
No, the regular almond products in this guide are not low in calories. According to the European Commission, a claim with this meaning can only be used for solid foods containing no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g. A smaller portion doesn’t change the product’s nutritional properties.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts or peanuts to children under 4, and recommends nut butter or ground nuts instead. Older children can also choke on them; make sure they eat sitting down, take their time and are supervised.
First compare the kcal per 100 g shown on the pack, then calculate the figures for the same quantity. Serving sizes can differ between packs and aren’t personalised dietary advice for a child.
Read the ingredients list and any warnings about other allergens, and discuss known allergies with the parents in advance. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly identifiable on the label. A product containing only almonds isn’t suitable for anyone who needs to avoid almonds.
Not necessarily: a serving size on a pack describes the product and isn’t personalised dietary advice. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against putting children on a diet on your own initiative. If you’re concerned about a child’s weight, ask a GP, youth health nurse or school doctor for advice.
