Almonds are best suited to your everyday diet, rather than as a replacement for the carbohydrate-rich fuel you need for long marathon training sessions. A larger pack can be practical if you eat almonds regularly and can store them properly; if you eat them less often, a smaller bag may be a better choice. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also advises against eating a large portion of foods high in fat, protein or fibre shortly before exercise.
You eat almonds at home regularly and want to weigh up pack size, price per kilo and storage. Albert Heijn lists AH Terra in a 500 g pack with 20 labelled 25 g portions; this is a practical example of a larger pack, not a guarantee of the lowest price.
You’re looking for almonds to include in your everyday diet, but don’t want to mistake them for the carbohydrate-rich fuel needed for long training sessions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of carbohydrates in endurance sports and advises against eating a large portion high in fat, protein or fibre shortly before exercise.
You want to know whether a variety is unroasted, roasted in oil or savoury-seasoned. Check the ingredients, salt and relevant allergen warnings on the exact pack you’re buying; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on labels.
First decide what matters most to you: their role in your training, value for stocking up, storage or ingredients. The examples and points to consider below are about almonds for everyday eating alongside marathon training.
| Consideration | What to check when buying | Who might this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Role in training and timing | The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of carbohydrates in endurance sports. The labels for AH Terra Unroasted Almonds and Jumbo Unsalted Almonds list 6 g and 4.4 g of carbohydrates per 100 g respectively; also compare the portion size and when you eat them. | If I’m planning fuel for long training sessions, I don’t want to mistake almonds for carbohydrate-rich food. Consumers who prioritise their role in training make up around 29% of this decision context. |
| Value when stocking up | Compare the price per kilo for the same type of almonds, as well as the price of the pack you’re buying. A larger pack doesn’t automatically mean a lower price per kilo or a purchase that fits your budget. | If I’m stocking up, I want to know whether the amount suits my consumption and how much it costs. Consumers who prioritise value when stocking up make up around 36% of this decision context. |
| Consumption and storage | Check the net weight and whether the pack is resealable. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing nuts in a tightly sealed container in a dry place. | If I won’t get through a large bag quickly, I want to store the contents properly and avoid waste. Consumers who prioritise consumption and storage make up around 21% of this decision context. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and warnings on the exact pack. For Duyvis Oven Roasted Almonds, Albert Heijn lists 1.1 g of salt per 100 g and possible traces of wheat and peanuts. | If I’m checking ingredients or allergens, I want to rely on the label for the variety I’m buying. Consumers who prioritise checking ingredients make up around 14% of this decision context. |
Almonds can be part of your everyday diet, but they don’t automatically replace the carbohydrate-rich fuel needed for long periods of exercise. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the need for carbohydrates in endurance sports.
First decide whether you’re looking for something to include in your everyday diet or fuel for prolonged exercise. Don’t let almonds take the place of your plan for carbohydrates.
A larger pack is only practical if the amount suits how often you eat almonds and you can store them properly. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing nuts in a sealed container in a dry place.
Compare the price per kilo and the amount you’re likely to use. Also check whether the pack seals securely or whether you’ll need a suitable airtight storage container.
According to Jumbo, its Unsalted Almonds also contain sunflower oil. Duyvis describes Almonds Original as roasted without added oil or fat; that doesn’t mean the almonds are naturally low in fat.
Check the ingredients list and compare nutritional values on the same basis, for example per 100 g.
Warnings can vary between varieties. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that relevant allergens are clearly identified on the label.
If you have a relevant allergy, check the exact pack and follow your personal allergy advice; don’t judge whether a product is suitable based solely on the brand name or the description ‘plain’.
AH Terra Unroasted Almonds are a practical example of a larger pack for regular use at home.
PLUS Unroasted and Unsalted Almonds come in a smaller pack and have a simple ingredients list.
TRADER JOE’S Unroasted Almonds, sold at ALDI, may suit you if you’re looking for a smaller pack.
Jumbo Unsalted Almonds are a smaller roasted variety for anyone happy to have oil in the ingredients list.
Duyvis may suit you if you’re looking for a savoury, oven-roasted variety.
Lidl has Dutch product listings for almonds, including a 200 g bag.
This selection includes smaller packs and larger bags, with unroasted and roasted varieties for home use.
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A smaller pack for anyone who wants to use almonds as a snack or ingredient at home. The product name lists 160 g of almond kernels.
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A smaller pack if you’re looking for unroasted, unsalted almonds. The product name lists a 200 g pack.
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A larger pack for regular use at home. The product name lists 500 g of natural almonds.
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A larger pack if you’re looking for roasted almonds with salt. The product name lists 500 g.
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A smaller savoury pack if you’d rather buy less at a time. The product name lists 150 g of roasted, salted almonds.
Not as an equivalent replacement. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the need for carbohydrates in endurance sports; include almonds in your everyday diet and consider fuel for prolonged exercise separately.
No, there’s no general rule against it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against eating a large portion of foods high in fat, protein or fibre shortly before exercise, so consider the timing, amount and your own tolerance.
Store nuts in a tightly sealed container in a dry place, and follow the instructions on the exact pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping nuts somewhere cool, for example at 10 to 15 °C; for AH Terra, Albert Heijn advises storing them in a cool, dark, dry place and sealing the pack well.
No. Albert Heijn lists 25 g as a labelled portion for AH Terra; according to the label, the 500 g pack contains 20 portions. This helps you work out how much to stock up on, but it isn’t a personalised sports nutrition serving recommendation.
No. The AH Terra and PLUS varieties checked carry warnings about possible traces of other nuts and peanuts. If you have an allergy, follow your personal avoidance advice and check the exact pack; ‘plain’ doesn’t mean there’s no risk of cross-contamination.
