If you want to hand out small packs
You want to take something along without opening a large bag during the activity. Albert Heijn lists an unsalted 4-pack; check the contents and seals of the inner packs yourself.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Organisers with children
You want to take choking risks and allergens into account. Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter instead of whole nuts for children under 4; older children should also eat slowly and under supervision.
If you want to prepare your own portions
You want to decide how much to give each participant. A larger bag could work for this, but you’ll need to portion it yourself and keep the original product and allergen information available.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to hand out ready-packed portions or prepare them yourself. Then consider eating safety, ingredients and flavour.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Handing out packs | Check the number of inner packs, the weight of each pack and whether each one seals individually. A 4-pack doesn’t tell you how much is in each pack. | If I want to hand them out without serving from a large bag, I first check whether the inner packs suit my plans. Around 29% of consumers in this choice breakdown prioritise convenience when handing out portions. |
| Safe eating and allergens | Whole almonds are not a recommended snack for children under 4. Also make sure children eat slowly and under supervision, and check the allergen information. | If children are taking part, a suitable form of food matters more to me than a convenient pack size. Around 29% of consumers prioritise safe participation; Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter instead of nuts for children under 4. |
| Unsalted option | Check the exact variety and ingredients. ‘Unroasted’ and ‘roasted’ describe how the almonds are prepared, not necessarily their salt content. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes unsalted nuts in its Wheel of Five guidelines. | If I’m specifically looking for unsalted almonds, I check the variety rather than assuming anything from the preparation method. Around 18% of consumers in this choice breakdown prioritise an unsalted product. |
| Preparing your own portions | Compare the net contents and check whether the outer pack is resealable. It won’t provide individual portion packs; follow the storage instructions on the product you choose. | If I want to decide how much to give each participant, I factor in the time needed to portion the almonds and any packaging materials. Around 12% of consumers give preparing their own portions top priority. |
| Savoury flavour | Check the exact flavour and salt content. Roasted almonds aren’t automatically unsalted, and an outer pack doesn’t necessarily contain a single portion. | If I’m looking for a savoury flavour, I choose the variety first, then check the quantity and ingredients. Around 12% of consumers in this choice breakdown prioritise flavour. |
Common purchasing mistakes
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Assuming a small pack is a child-safe snack
A smaller pack doesn’t change the shape of the almonds or the choking risk. Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter instead of nuts for children under 4.
Don’t plan whole almonds as a snack for young children. Older children should eat slowly, with an adult nearby.
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Treating an entire outer pack as one portion
Packs labelled, for example, 125 g or 200 g show the net contents of the bag, not the amount for each participant.
Decide in advance how much you want to hand out, and distinguish between the total contents and the number of inner packs. Portioning the almonds yourself takes preparation and may require separate tubs or bags.
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Assuming no added fat means unsalted
Duyvis says that Almonds Original are roasted without adding oil or fat. This does not, by itself, mean that the variety is unsalted.
Check the exact variety, ingredients and nutritional information. Assess the preparation method and salt content separately.
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Losing the allergen information when repacking
Individual portion packs won’t necessarily include the information from the original packaging. Almonds are a tree nut allergen.
Keep the original packaging so the ingredient and allergen information remains available, and let participants or their parents check it.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
Lists an unsalted almond multipack containing four packs, for anyone who wants to hand out individual packs.
- The product listing confirms an unsalted 4-pack.
- The product name doesn’t confirm the weight or whether the inner packs seal individually.
Duyvis
Almonds Original is a savoury, oven-roasted variety in a 125 g pack.
- Duyvis says the almonds are roasted without adding oil or fat.
- The bag isn’t confirmed as individually portioned, and the preparation method doesn’t prove that the variety is unsalted. Descriptions of flavour and crunch are manufacturer claims.
Jumbo
The listed 140 g unsalted almonds are an option if you’re looking for an unsalted variety.
- The product information says to store in a cool, dry place and that the pack uses a protective atmosphere.
- These details apply to this variety and don’t confirm that it comes in individual portion packs.
Lidl
Alesto Spanish almonds are listed in several varieties, in 200 g packs.
- The product listing gives a pack size of 200 g and shows several varieties.
- The listing doesn’t confirm a specific salt variety, individual portion packs or availability around Easter.
ALDI
Trader Joe’s has a listed 200 g unroasted variety, as well as a separate roasted product range.
- The pack for the unroasted variety is described as resealable.
- The roasted range, which includes salted and smoked varieties, is a separate product line. A resealable bag doesn’t mean it contains individual portions.
PLUS
Lists unroasted, unsalted almonds in a 200 g stand-up pouch, which could work if you want to portion them yourself.
- The product listing confirms the variety and net contents.
- A stand-up pouch doesn’t confirm that the pack is resealable or contains individual inner bags; check the current packaging.
Almonds on Joybuy
These products include almonds to portion yourself, with both unsalted and savoury roasted varieties.
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Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels 160 g
These ready-to-eat almond kernels can be portioned out yourself.
Pack size: 160 g. Contains almonds; the product information describes whole kernels. For children under 4, Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter instead of nuts; older children should eat slowly and under supervision.
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g'woon Amandelen Raw & Unsalted 200 g
These unroasted, unsalted almonds are a good fit if you want to decide how much to hand out yourself.
Pack size: 200 g. Contains almonds; check the original allergen information when handing them out.
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Anatolia Roasted Salted Almonds 500 g
This roasted, salted variety is for anyone looking for a savoury flavour and wanting to prepare their own portions.
Pack size: 500 g. This variety contains salt and almonds. The product description warns of a choking hazard for young children and says the product is not suitable for infants.
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Anatolia Badem Natural (Amandel) 500 gr
These ready-to-eat almonds can be portioned out yourself if you want to decide the serving size.
Net contents: 500 g. The product description states 0.00 g of salt per 100 g. Contains whole almond kernels and almonds as an allergen; for children under 4, Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter instead of nuts.
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g'woon Roasted & Salted Almonds 150 g
These roasted, salted almonds come in a resealable bag, so you can portion out the contents yourself.
Pack size: 150 g. This variety contains salt and almonds; the product description mentions possible traces of peanuts and other nuts.
Frequently asked questions
Can children eat whole almonds while looking for Easter eggs?
Make it a calm snack break rather than something to eat while walking around. Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter instead of nuts for children under 4 because of the choking risk. Older children should eat slowly, with an adult nearby.
What information should I keep if I prepare portions myself?
Keep the original packaging so you can check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions. Almonds are a tree nut allergen, so an unsalted variety isn’t automatically suitable for someone with an almond allergy.
What allergen information appears on prepacked almonds?
Allergen information must be clearly shown on prepacked foods sold to consumers. If there is an ingredients list, allergens must be highlighted in it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and the European Union provide information about these labelling rules; this is not a general statement about registration requirements for a private event.
How should I store any almonds left after handing them out?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you buy. The Jumbo variety mentioned here says to store it in a cool, dry place; the unroasted ALDI variety mentioned here comes in a resealable pack. Don’t assume that all varieties have the same shelf life once opened.
What should I consider when preparing portions myself?
Compare the net contents with the amount you want to hand out to each participant. Also allow for your own tubs or bags and any leftovers; a larger bag doesn’t automatically mean you’ll get better value per portion.