When comparing almonds for a festival snack, look at the protein per serving: a figure per 100 g doesn’t tell you how much you’ll actually eat. For post-exercise recovery, your overall diet and the effort you’ve put in also matter; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says most people who do sport don’t need special protein products if they eat a varied diet. A protein figure alone doesn’t show that a product can be labelled ‘high in protein’: specific conditions apply under EU rules.
If you’re exercising around your festival weekend, check how much a serving of almonds contributes to your overall diet. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre and the Dutch Association of Sports Nutrition Experts consider food after exercise in the context of your other meals and your next bout of exercise.
If you want to spread your almonds across several snack breaks, check the pack size, whether the pack can be resealed and the storage instructions. ALDI describes the packaging for Trader Joe’s unroasted almonds as resealable.
Compare plain, unsalted roasted and savoury roasted almonds by checking the ingredients and nutrition information. Product details from Jumbo and Duyvis show that ‘unsalted’ and ‘no added oil’ are different characteristics.
First decide how much you want to eat at each snack break. Then compare the preparation method, salt content, packaging and allergen information for the exact product.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per serving | Compare the nutrition information for the same serving size. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 5.4 g of protein per 25 g handful as a general figure for unsalted almonds. | Are you exercising around the festival and want to know how a snack contributes to your overall diet? Around 36% of consumers say protein content is their top priority. |
| Taking them with you and storage | Check the pack size, whether the bag can be resealed and the storage instructions after opening. | Do you want to spread the contents across several snack breaks and reseal the bag in between? Around 29% of consumers focus mainly on taking snacks with them and storing them. |
| Flavour and preparation | Read the ingredients and salt content; check separately whether the almonds are roasted and whether oil has been added. | Are you choosing mainly based on whether they’re plain, roasted or savoury, and how much salt you want? Around 21% of consumers start with flavour and salt. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and any warnings about the possible presence of other allergens on the packaging of the exact product. | Do you need to take account of an allergy to peanuts or other nuts? Around 14% of consumers put allergen information first. |
The contribution of a snack depends on your overall diet and the exercise you’ve done. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says most people who do sport don’t need special protein shakes or bars if they eat a varied diet.
Check the protein content for the portion you actually eat and consider it alongside your other meals.
The Jumbo almonds reviewed are unsalted but roasted, and contain sunflower oil. Duyvis describes its oven-roasted Almonds Original as made without added oil or fat, while its flavouring contains salt.
Check the preparation method, ingredients and salt content separately on the packaging.
The amount per 100 g isn’t the same as the amount in a handful. Albert Heijn lists 26 g of protein per 100 g for AH Terra and gives a serving size of 25 g, which works out at 6.5 g of protein. The same product information lists 613 kcal per 100 g, which is about 153 kcal per 25 g serving.
Compare products using the same serving size and decide in advance how much you want to eat.
A product with almonds as its only ingredient may still carry a warning about the possible presence of peanuts or other nuts. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products.
Check the ingredients and warnings on the current packaging of the exact product you choose.
AH Terra Unroasted Almonds are an unsalted, unroasted option with a stated serving size.
Jumbo Unsalted Almonds 140 g are a roasted, unsalted option.
PLUS Unroasted and Unsalted Almonds are a plain option.
According to the manufacturer, Duyvis® Almonds Original are a savoury roasted option in a 125 g pack.
The unroasted almonds described are sold under the product name Trader Joe’s.
Lidl confirms an almond option called ‘Unsalted Almonds’.
This selection includes plain or unsalted almonds, as well as salted roasted options. Compare the product name and ingredients to find an option that suits your preferences.
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An option if you’re looking for almond kernels as a snack. The product name lists a 160 g pack.
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A good fit if you’re looking for a raw, unsalted option. The product name lists a 200 g pack.
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An option if you’re looking for roasted, salted almonds. The product name lists a 500 g pack.
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A good fit if you’re looking for a natural almond option. The product name lists a 500 g pack.
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An option if you’re looking for a roasted, salted snack. The product name lists a 150 g pack.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 5.4 g of protein per 25 g handful of unsalted almonds as a general nutrition figure. Check the label for the specific product, as branded products may list a different amount.
Almonds alone aren’t a complete recovery food, so consider your overall diet and the exercise you’ve done. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says most people who do sport don’t need special protein shakes or bars if they eat a varied diet. The Dutch Association of Sports Nutrition Experts discusses protein after intense exercise mainly when another bout of exercise follows soon afterwards.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you choose. Albert Heijn recommends storing AH Terra in a cool, dark and dry place and sealing it well after use; Jumbo says to store its product in a dry, dark place. A resealable bag doesn’t replace these instructions.
Read both the ingredients and any warnings about the possible presence of other allergens on the exact packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products.
