Choose almonds for a street festival based on how much you want to eat, rather than words such as ‘unsalted’ or ‘no added fat’: these don’t mean a product is low in calories. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 158 kcal for 25 g of unsalted almonds, so weigh your portion and compare nutritional values on the same basis.
You want to take some almonds with you and know in advance how much energy your snack will provide. Weighing out a portion tells you more than a description such as ‘unsalted’. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 158 kcal for 25 g of unsalted almonds.
You’re looking for packaging that’s practical for taking with you and can be resealed to keep the remainder fresh. Check the closure and follow the storage instructions for the product in question; ALDI, for example, describes the TRADER JOE'S almonds as coming in resealable packaging.
You want others to be able to check the ingredients and allergen information. Keep the original packaging available: almonds are a type of nut for which allergen information is relevant.
Weigh your portion and compare the energy per 100 g with the amount you actually want to eat. For the EU claim ‘low energy’, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for solid foods.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy in your portion | Check the energy per 100 g and weigh the amount you’re taking with you. Calculate the energy in your portion using kcal per 100 g × portion weight in g ÷ 100. | If I want to keep track of the energy in my festival snack, I’d rather weigh out a portion than eat straight from the bag. Around 42% of consumers give the energy in their portion the highest priority. |
| Taking it with you and resealing the pack | Check whether the packaging is resealable and follow the storage instructions. If you want to take a set amount with you, divide a larger bag into portions in advance. | If I want to keep the remainder for later while I’m out, I check the closure and storage instructions. Around 25% of consumers say taking snacks with them and managing leftovers is their top priority. |
| Flavour and preparation method | Choose between options such as raw, roasted or oven-roasted, then check the nutritional information. ‘Unsalted’ and ‘no added fat’ are not calorie claims. | If I’m mainly looking for a particular flavour or preparation method, I want to consider that separately from the energy information. Around 17% of consumers give flavour and preparation method the highest priority. |
| Allergens when sharing | Keep the ingredients list and any allergen warnings with the snack. Roasted almonds are not an allergen-free alternative. | If I’m taking almonds for a group, I want others to be able to check the product information. Around 16% of consumers make allergen information their top priority. |
These describe different product characteristics. A smaller portion changes how much you eat, but it doesn’t make the product itself low in calories.
Compare the energy per 100 g on the same basis and decide on your portion separately from the preparation or flavour description.
Products can come in different net weights, such as 140 g or 200 g. The contents of a bag aren’t a personal portion recommendation.
Weigh out how much you want to eat in advance, and work out separately how much you’ll need for a group.
This means the ingredients and allergen information is no longer readily available alongside the almonds. Almonds remain a relevant tree nut allergen even after heating; Stichting Voedselallergie states that the allergen remains stable when heated.
Keep the original packaging with the snack, and don’t treat roasted almonds as a safe alternative for anyone with an almond allergy.
Duyvis describes several almond varieties, including unsalted almonds and Almonds Original.
Albert Heijn offers an own-brand variety called AH Amandelen ongezouten.
Jumbo describes Ongezouten Amandelen in a 140 g pack.
Lidl has a product page for unsalted almonds.
According to its product description, ALDI sells TRADER JOE'S almonds.
PLUS describes almonds that are raw and unsalted, in a 200 g stand-up pouch.
These Joybuy products are almond varieties you can take with you as a snack. Compare the nutritional information and weigh out how much you want to eat in advance.
No image available
The product description says these almonds are suitable as a snack. Weigh out your portion and check the nutritional information to work out the energy content.
No image available
The product name describes this variety as raw and unsalted. Check the nutritional information and weigh out your portion; ‘unsalted’ doesn’t mean low in calories.
No image available
The product name describes these as roasted, salted almonds. Check the nutritional information and decide in advance how much you want to take with you.
No image available
The product name identifies this as an almond product. Check the nutritional information on the packaging and weigh out your own portion.
No image available
The product name describes this variety as roasted and salted. Check the nutritional information and weigh out how much you want to eat in advance.
Not according to the EU claim ‘low energy’. The European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for solid foods; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 158 kcal for 25 g of unsalted almonds. A smaller portion doesn’t make the product itself low in calories.
Multiply the kcal per 100 g shown on the packaging for that product by the weight of your portion in grams, then divide by 100. Use the information for your particular variety: nutrition declarations provide average values.
Follow the storage instructions for your variety and reseal any leftovers if the packaging allows. For the 140 g bag reviewed, Jumbo says ‘store in a cool, dry, dark place’; ALDI describes the TRADER JOE'S variety as coming in resealable packaging.
No. Stichting Voedselallergie states that the tree nut allergen remains stable when heated. If you have a diagnosed allergy, follow your personal medical advice on avoiding allergens.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating a handful of unsalted nuts each day; this dietary advice is different from the amount of energy in your portion.
