Portion-conscious party hosts
You want to keep serving almonds, while staying in control of the energy in your own portion. Compare the same weight in grams, not different serving sizes set by manufacturers.
Who are these options for?
Fans of simple ingredients
You’re looking for almonds without added salt or an elaborate seasoning mix. Check the ingredients alongside the nutrition table: a simple recipe doesn’t automatically mean a product is low in calories.
Fans of savoury party snacks
You want a bold, ready-to-eat flavour and choose carefully which additions and how much salt you’re happy with.
What should you look for when choosing?
Unroasted and unsalted
A good fit if: you want a simple recipe and to decide how much to serve yourself; the PLUS variety assessed lists almonds as its only ingredient.
The trade-off: there’s no savoury flavour added in advance, and the variety assessed is not low in calories.
Roasted and unsalted
A good fit if: you want roasted almonds without added salt. The AH variety assessed lists only almonds, while Jumbo also lists sunflower oil.
The trade-off: ‘unsalted’ doesn’t tell you how much energy the product contains; check the ingredients list too.
Oven-roasted with a savoury flavour
A good fit if: you’re after a ready-to-eat savoury party snack and take salt and flavourings into account.
The trade-off: Duyvis describes the preparation as being without added oil or fat; the label assessed also lists a seasoning mix and salt.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Compare kcal per 100 g, then weigh out your own portion. | Want to know how much energy your portion provides? Around 42% of consumers put calories per portion first. |
| Ingredients and salt | Check the ingredients list and the amount of salt per 100 g. | Want a simple recipe or no added salt? Around 25% of consumers give ingredients and salt top priority. |
| Flavour and preparation | Check the flavour variety and whether oil, salt or a coating is listed in the ingredients. | Looking for a ready-to-eat savoury flavour for your drinks party? Around 17% of consumers put flavour first. |
| Packaging and storage | Check the net weight, the closure and the storage instructions. | Buying for several get-togethers or to share? Around 16% of consumers give packaging value and storage top priority. |
For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g for the ‘low energy’ claim. According to the Voedingscentrum, unsalted almonds as a general category contain 158 kcal per 25 g portion; for a branded product, use the nutrition information on that specific label.
Common pitfalls
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Confusing a small portion with a low-calorie product
The EU ‘low energy’ claim is assessed per 100 g, not based on the smaller amount you serve yourself.
Compare the label value per 100 g and describe a smaller portion as a way to limit how much you eat, not as proof that the product is low in calories.
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Comparing manufacturers’ portion sizes directly
The AH product information assessed gives a 25 g portion; the Duyvis variety assessed gives 30 g. This means the portion values aren’t directly comparable.
First compare per 100 g, then convert all varieties to the same portion weight.
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Taking ‘unsalted’ or ‘no added fat’ as a guarantee of fewer calories
These descriptions refer to salt or preparation, not necessarily the energy content of the finished product.
Read the ingredients and nutrition table separately, and check that you’re looking at the right variety.
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Leaving leftovers exposed
According to the Voedingscentrum, nuts are susceptible to mould and should be stored in a tightly sealed container in a dry place.
Seal the packaging tightly after use or use a dry, airtight storage container, and follow the instructions on the label.
Brands to consider
Duyvis
Almonds Original is a savoury party snack in a 125 g pack. Duyvis describes it as roasted without added oil or fat.
- Could suit you if you’re looking for a ready-to-eat savoury flavour.
- The Dutch label information assessed lists a seasoning mix, 635 kcal and 1,1 g salt per 100 g; the preparation description is not a low-calorie claim.
Albert Heijn
The AH Unsalted Almonds assessed are roasted and, according to the product information, contain almonds as their only ingredient.
- The ingredients list makes it easy to check what’s in the product.
- The variety assessed lists 627 kcal per 100 g. This doesn’t reflect the full AH range.
Jumbo
The 140 g Jumbo Unsalted Almonds assessed are roasted; the ingredients are 99% almonds and sunflower oil.
- An option if you’re looking for roasted, unsalted almonds.
- For this variety, ‘unsalted’ doesn’t mean no oil has been added; the label states 661 kcal per 100 g.
Lidl
According to Lidl, Alesto includes nuts, dried fruit and party snacks, including almonds.
- The range gives you a way to explore almonds alongside different types of snack.
- Check the ingredients and nutrition information for each variety; the brand description doesn’t provide a basis for comparing calories.
ALDI
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s unroasted almonds and roasted varieties with salt or smoky flavour. The unroasted variety is described as coming in a resealable pack.
- You can choose between an unroasted variety and savoury flavours.
- The product descriptions don’t prove that any of these varieties contain fewer calories.
PLUS
The 200 g PLUS Unroasted and Unsalted Almonds assessed lists almonds as its only ingredient.
- A good fit if you’re looking for an unroasted variety with a simple ingredients list.
- The label states 591 kcal per 100 g; a simple recipe doesn’t make these almonds low in calories.
Almonds at Joybuy
These products range from unroasted, unsalted almonds to roasted varieties with salt. Compare the label values per 100 g and choose the flavour and ingredients that suit your drinks party. None of the energy figures listed meets the EU threshold for the ‘low energy’ claim of a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g (European Commission).
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Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original almond kernels 160 g
A good fit if you want a simple almond variety and prefer to weigh out your own portions.
The product information lists 100% almond kernels and 622 kcal per 100 g.
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g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted 200 g
A good fit if you’re looking for an unroasted, unsalted variety.
The product information lists almonds as the ingredient and 591 kcal per 100 g.
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Anatolia roasted salted almonds 500 g
A good fit if you’re looking for roasted almonds with a savoury flavour for your drinks party.
The product information lists 620 kcal and 1,0 g salt per 100 g.
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Anatolia Badem Natural almonds 500 g
A good fit if you’re looking for a simple almond variety with no added salt.
The product information lists 100% almonds, 0,00 g salt and 578 kcal per 100 g.
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g'woon Roasted & Salted Almonds 150 g
A good fit if you’re looking for roasted almonds with a savoury flavour.
The ingredients list includes almonds, sunflower oil and salt; the product information gives 667 kcal and 1 g salt per 100 g.
Frequently asked questions
Can you call almonds low in calories if you only eat a small portion?
No. A small portion doesn’t change the product criteria for the claim. For solid foods, the EU ‘low energy’ claim requires a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g (European Commission), so check the label value per 100 g.
How do you compare the energy in different almonds?
First compare the declared energy per 100 g, then use the same weighed portion size for each. The portion size on one pack may differ from the one on another product page.
What should you look out for if your guests have a food allergy?
Ask guests to check the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of the exact variety. Almonds are among the allergens that must be declared; don’t treat almond products as suitable for anyone with an almond allergy.
Have warnings about possible allergen cross-contamination changed?
Yes. The NVWA states that new rules for warnings about possible allergen cross-contamination, also known as PAL, apply from 1 January 2026. Check the packaging of the variety you buy.
How should you store leftover almonds after a drinks party?
Store nuts in a tightly sealed container in a dry place, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. Also follow the instructions on the packaging of your chosen variety.
Are whole almonds automatically suitable for young children?
No. The AH and Duyvis product information assessed warns that young children can choke on nuts. So don’t assume a bowl of whole almonds is a suitable snack for children.