Who is this buying guide for?

A lighter snack

You want almonds for King’s Day and are comparing fat and energy for the same quantity. The European Commission’s ‘low-fat’ claim is based on the fat content per 100 g.

Less salt

You’re looking for an unsalted snack and want to know whether a savoury flavour mix or the preparation method might affect your choice. The Dutch Nutrition Centre includes unsalted nuts in its Wheel of Five healthy eating guidelines.

For sharing or taking with you

You’re choosing based on flavour, preparation method or packaging that’s suitable for taking along and sharing. You also check the ingredients and nutritional values.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether fat, salt, flavour or packaging matters most to you. Then check the nutritional values and ingredients for the specific variety.

What to consider What to look for when buying Who is this important to?
Fat and energy Compare fat and kcal per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists 52 g of fat and 613 kcal per 100 g for its unroasted variety; PLUS lists 50 g of fat and 591 kcal. The European Commission’s ‘low-fat’ claim for solid foods allows a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g. If you’re mainly looking to reduce fat or energy, compare the labels first, then compare the same serving size. Around 36% of consumers put fat or energy first.
Salt Check both the salt content and the ingredients. PLUS and Jumbo list 0.03 g of salt per 100 g; a savoury flavour mix may also contain salt. If you want an unsalted snack, check more than just the flavour name: look at the nutrition table too. Around 29% of consumers give unsalted products top priority.
Flavour and preparation Check whether the almonds are unroasted, oven-roasted or roasted in oil. Duyvis describes Almonds Original as oven-roasted with no added fat; Jumbo lists sunflower oil as an ingredient. For a savoury snack to share, consider the flavour and preparation method, but don’t assume ‘no added fat’ means low in fat. Around 21% of consumers put flavour and preparation first.
Packaging Check the net weight and whether the packaging is resealable. ALDI describes the packaging of Trader Joe’s unroasted almonds as resealable; follow the storage instructions on the pack too. If you want to take almonds with you or share them, consider whether the quantity is right and how you’ll store the rest. Around 14% of consumers put packaging and practicality first.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing no added fat with low fat

    A description of how a product is prepared doesn’t tell you how much total fat the finished product contains. Duyvis describes Almonds Original as oven-roasted with no added fat; that alone doesn’t prove it meets the ‘low-fat’ claim.

    Read the nutrition table and assess the claim separately. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low-fat’ claim.

  • Assuming unsalted means no oil

    According to Jumbo, Jumbo Unsalted Almonds contain sunflower oil. So ‘unsalted’ doesn’t automatically describe the preparation method or all the ingredients.

    Check the ingredients list and preparation method separately from the salt information.

  • Comparing different serving sizes directly

    Albert Heijn’s product information uses a 25 g serving for its unroasted variety and a 30 g serving for Duyvis. This means the per-serving values aren’t directly comparable.

    Compare the products per 100 g first, then work out the values for the same serving size.

  • Choosing a larger pack without considering storage

    A pack that can be sealed securely after opening may be a better fit for what you won’t serve straight away. Albert Heijn advises closing the pack securely; ALDI describes the packaging of Trader Joe’s unroasted almonds as resealable.

    Choose a quantity that suits how you’ll use the almonds and follow the storage instructions on the pack.

Brands worth comparing

Duyvis

Duyvis describes Almonds Original as oven-roasted almonds with no added oil or fat.

  • The preparation description may be useful if you’re looking for roasted almonds with no added fat.
  • According to the manufacturer, the savoury flavour mix contains salt; the preparation method doesn’t prove the product is low in fat.

Albert Heijn

AH Unroasted Almonds are an unsalted, unbaked variety with almonds as the only ingredient.

  • The product information lists 613 kcal and 52 g of fat per 100 g.
  • At 52 g of fat per 100 g, this variety doesn’t meet the European Commission’s definition of ‘low fat’ for solid foods.

Jumbo

Jumbo Unsalted Almonds are a roasted variety made with almonds and sunflower oil.

  • The product information lists 99% almonds and no added salt.
  • Here, unsalted doesn’t mean oil-free; Jumbo lists 60 g of fat per 100 g.

Lidl

Lidl describes a 200 g pack of unroasted almonds.

  • The description makes the preparation method and pack size clear.
  • Unroasted describes how the almonds are prepared; it doesn’t, on its own, mean they’re low in fat.

ALDI

ALDI describes Trader Joe’s unroasted almonds in a resealable 200 g pack.

  • The product description gives the pack size and says it’s resealable.
  • This product description doesn’t support a claim such as reduced fat or low fat.

PLUS

PLUS Unroasted and Unsalted Almonds are made with almonds as the ingredient.

  • The product information lists 591 kcal and 50 g of fat per 100 g.
  • At 50 g of fat per 100 g, this variety doesn’t meet the European Commission’s definition of ‘low fat’ for solid foods.

Joybuy products: plain almonds

These Joybuy products are plain almonds for a simple snack, not low-fat varieties. Compare the nutritional values per 100 g if fat content or energy is a deciding factor for you.

Anatolia Badem Natural, almonds, 500 gr

Anatolia Badem Natural, almonds, 500 gr

The product information lists 100% almonds and describes the product as ready to eat.

Per 100 g: 578 kcal, 50 g of fat and 0.00 g of salt. At 50 g of fat per 100 g, this doesn’t meet the ‘low-fat’ claim; for solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g.

Almonds are a tree nut allergen that must be declared; check the current packaging.

View at Joybuy
Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels 160 g

Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels 160 g

The product information lists 100% almond kernels and describes the product as ready to eat, for example with yoghurt, cereal or salad.

Per 100 g: 622 kcal, 53.8 g of fat and 0.028 g of salt. At 53.8 g of fat per 100 g, this doesn’t meet the ‘low-fat’ claim; for solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g.

Almonds are a tree nut allergen that must be declared; check the current packaging.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does no added fat mean low fat?

No. No added fat describes what was added during preparation; the total fat content of the almonds is a separate nutritional value. So check the label per 100 g.

When can a product claim to be ‘low fat’?

According to the European Commission, solid foods can use the claim if they contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. This is a condition for making the claim, not a recommended serving size for almonds.

How do I compare the energy content of two types of almonds?

First compare the kcal per 100 g, then work out the values for both products using the same serving size. Servings of different weights aren’t directly comparable.

How should I store an opened pack?

Follow the instructions on the pack. For its unroasted variety, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a cool, dark and dry place and closing the pack securely; the AH product page recommends keeping an opened bag of Duyvis in a lightproof, airtight container.

What should I bear in mind if I have a nut allergy or am buying for young children?

Almonds are a tree nut allergen that must be declared. Check the current packaging for warnings about the possible presence of other allergens too. The AH product page warns that young children may choke on nuts.