Who are almonds suitable for?

Gluten-free snacking

You’re looking for almonds to enjoy as part of a gluten-free diet and want to check the ingredients and cross-contamination warnings before looking at the protein content. The Dutch Coeliac Society explains that cross-contamination can introduce gluten into a product.

Adding protein around exercise

You want to know how much protein a serving provides, without treating a snack as a substitute for your full protein requirements or a recovery meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 5.4 g of protein per 25 g handful of unsalted almonds; the nutritional value can vary between specific products.

Plain almonds for meals

You use almonds in yoghurt or meals and want to choose between products made with almonds only and options containing ingredients such as oil or flavourings. Albert Heijn and PLUS show that ingredients can vary between the products reviewed.

What should you look for when buying?

If you have coeliac disease, checking the exact packaging comes first. After that, you can weigh up the protein content, ingredients and convenience.

What to consider What to look for Who is this most important for?
Gluten-free information and cross-contamination Check the gluten-free information and any cross-contamination warning separately. The Dutch Coeliac Society stresses that cross-contamination can introduce gluten into a product. If I’m buying almonds with coeliac disease, I want to know whether the exact pack is suitable for my gluten-free diet; consumers who prioritise checking label suitability account for around 42%.
Protein per serving Compare protein and energy on the same serving basis. The European Commission sets the requirement for the ‘high protein’ claim at a minimum of 20% of energy from protein. When exercising, I want to know what my serving adds, not just the figure per 100 g; around 33% of consumers make protein content their first buying priority.
Ingredients and preparation Read the ingredients list for the exact product; ‘roasted’ or ‘unsalted’ on its own tells you nothing about the full composition. For yoghurt or cooking, I want to choose between plain almonds and options with oil or flavourings; consumers who prioritise the ingredients make up around 17%.
Portion size and storage Check the net weight, whether the pack can be resealed and the storage instructions on the packaging. If I use a pack more than once, I want to be able to portion and store it easily; a practical pack size is the top priority for around 8% of consumers.

Common buying mistakes

  • Using the protein content as a substitute for checking for gluten

    A protein figure doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for a gluten-free diet. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that cross-contamination may also be a concern.

    First check the ingredients, gluten-free information and any warnings on the exact pack. Only then compare the nutritional values.

  • Confusing grams of protein with the ‘high protein’ claim

    The claim depends on the proportion of energy that comes from protein, not just the number of grams per 100 g. The European Commission sets a threshold of at least 20% of energy.

    Compare protein and energy on the same basis, and bear in mind the serving you actually eat.

  • Assuming ‘no added oil’ means unsalted or gluten-free

    The Duyvis products reviewed warn that they may contain wheat or cereals containing gluten. A description of how a product is prepared does not replace the ingredients and cross-contamination information.

    Consider the preparation method, salt, ingredients and gluten warnings as separate characteristics of the exact product.

Relevant brands to compare

Albert Heijn

The pages reviewed describe AH Unsalted Almonds 190 g and AH Terra Unroasted Almonds 200 g.

  • For both exact products, Albert Heijn states that they are gluten-free and contain only almonds as an ingredient; the labels give 27 and 26 g of protein per 100 g respectively.
  • This applies to these products only, not automatically to every almond product from the brand. Check the packaging before eating.

PLUS

The products reviewed are 200 g of unroasted, unsalted almonds and 150 g of roasted, unsalted almonds.

  • The ingredients list for the unroasted product states that it contains only almonds; the roasted product also contains sunflower oil.
  • The allergen information shown is no substitute for checking the gluten-free information and any warnings on the exact pack.

Duyvis

The Almonds Original and Oven roasted products reviewed are savoury, seasoned almonds.

  • Duyvis describes the products reviewed as roasted without added oil or fat.
  • Duyvis and Albert Heijn warn that these products may contain wheat or cereals containing gluten. These products reviewed are therefore not recommended as suitable choices for people with coeliac disease.

ALDI

The ALDI page describes Trader Joe’s almonds in a 200 g pack.

  • The product description says they are roasted, unsalted almonds in a resealable pack.
  • These features alone don’t confirm whether the exact pack is suitable for coeliac disease; check the ingredients and gluten information on the packaging.

Lidl

The Lidl product page identifies an option as ‘Unsalted Almonds’.

  • The product description makes clear that these are unsalted almonds.
  • Unsalted does not mean gluten-free. If you have coeliac disease, check the information on the exact pack.

Jumbo

The Jumbo pages reviewed cover blanched, unroasted almonds and flaked almonds.

  • The product pages distinguish between the product formats and their ingredients information.
  • The pages for these two products state that they are no longer in the online range. This information does not apply to other Jumbo products.

Almond products on Joybuy

This selection includes plain, unroasted and roasted almonds, including salted options. It does not confirm that any specific pack is suitable for coeliac disease: always check the ingredients, gluten-free information and any warnings on the exact pack. According to the European Commission, the ‘high protein’ claim requires at least 20% of energy to come from protein; the stated nutritional values for these five products do not meet that threshold.

Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels 160 g

Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels 160 g

An option if you’re looking for almonds without a salted version, provided the exact pack is suitable for your gluten-free diet.

The product name states Original Almond Kernels and a weight of 160 g. The stated nutritional values do not meet the requirement for the ‘high protein’ claim.

View on Joybuy
g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted 200 g

g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted 200 g

For anyone looking for unroasted, unsalted almonds; if you have coeliac disease, check the exact pack before use.

The product name states raw, unsalted almonds and a weight of 200 g. The stated nutritional values do not meet the requirement for the ‘high protein’ claim.

View on Joybuy
Anatolia roasted, salted almonds 500 g

Anatolia roasted, salted almonds 500 g

An option if you’re specifically looking for roasted almonds with salt; this product is not unsalted. If you have coeliac disease, check the exact pack.

The product name states roasted, salted almonds and a weight of 500 g. The stated nutritional values do not meet the requirement for the ‘high protein’ claim.

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Anatolia Badem Natural almonds 500 g

Anatolia Badem Natural almonds 500 g

For anyone looking for almonds described as natural, for snacking or adding to meals; if you have coeliac disease, check the packaging for suitability first.

The product name states Natural and a weight of 500 g. The stated nutritional values do not meet the requirement for the ‘high protein’ claim.

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g'woon roasted, salted almonds 150 g

g'woon roasted, salted almonds 150 g

For anyone looking for roasted almonds with salt; this is not an unsalted option. If you have coeliac disease, check the information on the exact pack.

The product name states roasted, salted almonds and a weight of 150 g. The stated nutritional values do not meet the requirement for the ‘high protein’ claim.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does 20 g of protein per 100 g mean almonds are high in protein?

No. To use the ‘high protein’ claim, at least 20% of the energy must come from protein; 20 g per 100 g is a proportion by weight. The European Commission sets out this requirement. Calculations based on the four AH and PLUS products whose labels were fully reviewed show that around 14.65–17.22% of their energy comes from protein, so they do not meet the threshold.

What does ‘gluten-free’ mean on packaging?

The European Commission sets a maximum of 20 mg of gluten per kg of product for the ‘gluten-free’ claim. This does not mean that there is absolutely no gluten present. The relevant European legislation is Regulation (EU) No 828/2014; Regulation (EC) No 41/2009 has been repealed since 20 July 2016.

Can a product with a warning about possible gluten still be sold?

According to the NVWA, stock produced before 1 January 2026 may still be sold after that date, provided the food is not unsafe. The production date is the key factor. Don’t ignore a gluten warning because the pack is old.

Are almonds enough for a complete recovery meal after exercise?

A serving of almonds contributes to your protein intake, but on its own it doesn’t tell you whether your overall diet suits your exercise goals. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 5.4 g of protein per 25 g of unsalted almonds and advises people who exercise to consider their total intake and training goals.

Are gluten-free almonds suitable if you have an almond allergy?

No. ‘Gluten-free’ says nothing about whether a product is suitable for someone with an almond allergy. If you’re allergic to almonds, a product containing almonds is not suitable for you.