When choosing almonds at a Christmas market, focus on how much you eat and compare the nutritional values for the same serving size. According to the European Commission, solid foods can only be described as low in energy if they contain no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g; the almond products reviewed that have nutritional information on the label are well above this threshold. Also choose based on flavour and ingredients: unsalted, unsweetened and low-calorie don’t mean the same thing.
You want to snack on almonds without accidentally eating a large amount. Compare the energy content for the same weight, and consider taking a pre-weighed portion with you. Voedingscentrum lists 158 kcal per 25 g handful as the category figure for unsalted almonds; product labels may differ.
You want to choose based on the ingredients and nutritional information, not just calories. Unsalted and unsweetened are different characteristics, so check the product information for both.
You want a festive flavour and are choosing a sweet or savoury variety on purpose. Compare the specific recipe and portion size, as the preparation method alone doesn’t tell you how much energy the product contains.
First, decide what matters most to you in a Christmas market snack. Then compare the relevant product information on the same weight basis.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Compare kcal per 100 g and calculate this for the amount you’ll actually eat. | If you want to keep track of how much you snack on during a Christmas market visit, comparing portions can help. Around 39% of this group are expected to prioritise energy per portion. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients list and check separately for added sugar, salt and oil. | If you want to avoid a sugar coating or added salt, the specific recipe matters more than the calorie figure alone. Around 23% of this group are expected to prioritise simple ingredients. |
| Flavour and preparation | Check the variety, ingredients and kcal on the same weight basis. | If you’re looking for a sweet or savoury treat at the Christmas market, you can weigh up flavour alongside portion size and ingredients. Around 23% of this group are expected to prioritise treat-like flavours. |
| Portioning and storage | Check the pack weight and follow the storage instructions for anything you don’t take with you. | If you want to portion out your snack in advance and keep the rest at home, pack size and whether it can be resealed are useful considerations. Around 15% of this group are expected to prioritise taking snacks with them and storing the rest. |
These terms describe different characteristics of a product’s ingredients. Neither means that the product meets the threshold for a low-energy claim.
Compare the energy on the label, the ingredients and your portion separately; don’t choose based only on how the product is described.
The historic AH product Gezoete gesuikerde amandelen listed 546 kcal and 31 g of added sugars per 100 g. That’s less energy according to the label than the AH Amandelen ongezouten reviewed here, but the ingredients differ. The sugared product is no longer available.
Compare specific products on the same weight basis and decide whether energy, added sugar or flavour matters most to you.
The AH bag reviewed here contains 190 g. The corresponding 6-pack consists of six separate 190 g items, not six small snack portions.
Check the weight per pack and portion out in advance how much you want to take with you.
This may mean buying more than you need for one visit; store the rest according to the instructions on the packaging.
Duyvis describes several varieties, including unsalted almonds and oven-roasted almonds.
The AH product pages provide examples of unsalted and sugared almonds with different ingredients.
Jumbo Ongezouten Amandelen is a roasted variety for anyone looking for unsalted almonds who is happy with sunflower oil in the recipe.
The Lidl product page lists Amandelen ongezouten as a product variety.
Under its Trader Joe's brand, ALDI describes unroasted almonds and roasted varieties with salt or a smoky flavour.
PLUS lists both unroasted unsalted almonds and roasted unsalted almonds.
This selection of Joybuy products includes almonds for anyone who wants to consider energy per portion, ingredients or a sweet or savoury flavour.
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An option if you want to portion out almonds as a snack and keep the ingredients simple.
Joybuy product information lists 100% almond kernels and 622 kcal per 100 g.
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A good fit if you want to portion out unsalted, unroasted almonds as a snack.
Joybuy product information lists almonds as the only ingredient and 591 kcal per 100 g. The description recommends sealing the pack carefully after opening.
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A flavoured option if you’re looking for a sweeter snack and want to take the added ingredients into account.
Joybuy product information lists 612 kcal per 100 g. The ingredients include sugar, salt, flavourings and sweeteners, so this isn’t a good fit if you want to avoid those additions.
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A savoury option if you’re looking for roasted almonds with salt.
Joybuy product information lists almonds and salt as the ingredients, with 620 kcal and 1.0 g of salt per 100 g.
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An option if you’re looking for almonds with almonds as the only ingredient.
Joybuy product information lists 100% almonds and 578 kcal per 100 g.
No, not just because the portion is small. According to the European Commission, a low-energy claim for solid foods is only permitted at a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g. The products reviewed with verifiable energy information are above this threshold; eating less is different from describing a product as low-calorie.
No. In this comparison, 25 g is a standard portion for calculations, not personalised dietary advice. Voedingscentrum uses a 25 g handful in its category data for unsalted almonds; the energy in your snack depends on how much you actually eat.
According to the NVWA, allergen information must be available before purchase. For unpackaged products, this information can be provided in writing or verbally; if it’s given verbally, there must be a visible notice telling you that you can ask for it. Almonds aren’t suitable as a snack if you have an almond allergy. If you have other allergies, also check the information for the specific recipe.
Keep them dry in a well-sealed container and follow the instructions on the packaging. Voedingscentrum recommends storing nuts somewhere cool, for example at 10 to 15 °C.
Not in the case of the AH Amandelen ongezouten 6-pack reviewed here. The product page describes six separate 190 g items, not six individually packed 25 g portions. So check the contents before choosing a multipack for convenient portioning.
