Who are almonds suitable for as a morning snack?

Sportspeople tracking their protein intake

You want to know how much protein your morning portion adds to your overall diet. Check the amount on the label of the variety you’ve chosen; a portion of almonds isn’t automatically a complete post-workout meal.

People looking for unsalted almonds

You want a snack for a regular break and need to distinguish between unsalted almonds, products with no added oil and savoury seasoned varieties.

People preparing portions in advance

You want to prepare a portion to take to work or eat on the go, and seal the rest properly. A resealable pack or your own airtight container may suit this practical need.

What should you look for when choosing?

Unroasted almonds

Suitable if: you’re looking for untreated almonds and want to take a portion with you.

Consider: unroasted doesn’t tell you anything about the protein content; check the nutritional information on the pack.

Roasted and unsalted

Suitable if: you want roasted almonds without added salt.

Consider: unsalted doesn’t automatically mean no added oil; check the ingredients.

Savoury seasoned or salted

Suitable if: a savoury flavour matters more to you than choosing an unsalted variety.

Consider: check the salt content and ingredients list; a product made without added oil may still contain salt.

What to consider What to look for Who it matters to
Protein per portion Compare the same portion size in grams and check the nutritional information for the exact variety, including protein and energy. If I’m tracking my protein intake, I want to know how much my weighed morning portion actually contributes. Around 42% of consumers consider the protein contribution their main priority.
Salt and ingredients Read the ingredients list and check the salt content. Distinguish between unsalted, no added oil and no seasoning mix. If I’m looking for a simple, unsalted snack, I don’t want to rely on the product name alone. Around 33% of consumers focus mainly on ingredients and salt.
Portioning and storage Check the packaging, whether it can be resealed and the storage instructions; weigh out the amount you’re taking with you. If I’m preparing a snack for work or on the go, I want to be able to take my portion with me and store the rest properly. Around 25% of consumers prioritise portioning and storage.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking the per-100-gram figure for your snack portion

    A 25-gram portion provides less protein than the figure shown on a label per 100 grams. The Voedingscentrum gives average figures of 5.4 grams of protein and 158 kcal per 25 grams of unsalted almonds.

    Compare products using the same portion size in grams and count their contribution towards your overall diet.

  • Confusing unsalted with no added oil

    The Jumbo and PLUS varieties examined are unsalted but contain sunflower oil. The ingredients list for the AH variety examined lists almonds as the only ingredient.

    Check both the ingredients list and salt content of the variety you buy.

  • Assuming no added oil means no salt

    Duyvis describes Almonds Original as roasted without added oil or fat, but the savoury seasoning mix contains salt.

    If you’re looking for unsalted almonds, check the description and ingredients; don’t infer the salt content from the preparation method.

Brands and varieties to consider

Duyvis

The varieties described offer both an unsalted option and a savoury seasoned one.

  • Duyvis describes Unsalted Almonds as unsalted.
  • According to Duyvis, Almonds Original is roasted without added oil or fat, but the savoury seasoning mix contains salt. This is the manufacturer’s product description, not an independent assessment of taste or sports performance.

Albert Heijn

The 190-gram AH Unsalted Almonds variety examined lists almonds as its only ingredient.

  • Albert Heijn states that this variety contains 27 grams of protein per 100 grams.
  • The pack warns that it may contain other nuts and peanuts. These product details apply to this variety, not the entire range.

Jumbo

The 140-gram Jumbo Unsalted Almonds variety examined contains 99% almonds and sunflower oil.

  • Jumbo states that it contains 21 grams of protein per 100 grams and 5.3 grams per 25-gram portion.
  • For this variety, unsalted doesn’t mean no added oil. The product information states that it may contain peanuts.

Lidl

Unsalted Almonds is the Lidl product variety examined.

  • The product name makes it easy to identify the unsalted variety.
  • Check the protein content and ingredients on the label of the pack you choose; the product name alone doesn’t provide this information.

ALDI

The unroasted almonds examined are sold under the name Trader Joe's, in a 200-gram pack.

  • ALDI describes this variety as untreated and resealable.
  • Unroasted doesn’t mean a higher protein content; check the nutritional information on the pack.

PLUS

The 150-gram PLUS Unsalted Almonds variety examined contains 98% almonds and sunflower oil.

  • PLUS states that this variety contains 23 grams of protein per 100 grams.
  • The product information states that it may contain other nuts and peanuts. The ingredients list includes added oil.

Almonds on Joybuy

These Joybuy products are varieties for an almond snack, including unsalted and salted options.

g'woon raw and unsalted almonds, 200 g

g'woon almonds, raw and unsalted, 200 g

An option to compare if you’re looking for raw, unsalted almonds for your morning snack.

The product name states that the pack contains 200 g.

Contains almonds; not suitable for people with an almond allergy.

Joybuy
Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original almond kernels, 160 g

Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original almond kernels, 160 g

The product name specifies almond kernels; compare the nutritional information on the pack with the portion you want to take with you.

The product name states that the pack contains 160 g.

Contains almonds; not suitable for people with an almond allergy.

Joybuy
Anatolia Badem Natural almond, 500 g

Anatolia Badem Natural almond, 500 g

An option to consider if you’re looking for a product labelled Natural for your morning portion.

The product name states that the pack contains 500 g.

Contains almonds; not suitable for people with an almond allergy.

Joybuy
Anatolia roasted and salted almonds, 500 g

Anatolia roasted and salted almonds, 500 g

Suitable if you’re looking for a savoury, salted almond variety for your morning snack rather than unsalted almonds.

The product name specifies roasted almonds and a pack size of 500 g.

The product information warns that this product is not suitable for babies and may pose a choking hazard to young children. Contains almonds; not suitable for people with an almond allergy.

Joybuy
g'woon roasted and salted almonds, 150 g

g'woon roasted and salted almonds, 150 g

An option if you’re looking for a savoury almond snack; this variety isn’t unsalted.

The product name states that the pack contains 150 g.

The product information states that it may contain peanuts and other nuts. Contains almonds; not suitable for people with an almond allergy.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How much protein do you get from a small morning portion?

The Voedingscentrum gives average figures of 5.4 grams of protein and 158 kcal for 25 grams of unsalted almonds. The nutritional value of your own product may differ; work out your portion using the information on the pack.

Are almonds enough on their own as a post-workout meal?

Consider your overall diet and how much protein you actually get, rather than looking at this snack alone. According to the Voedingscentrum, sportspeople have a higher protein requirement, but most don’t need special protein shakes or bars if they eat a healthy, varied diet.

How should you store an opened pack of almonds?

Follow the instructions on the pack. Albert Heijn advises storing the variety examined in a cool, dark and dry place and sealing the pack properly after use; Jumbo advises storing it in a dry, dark place.

Are unsalted almonds suitable for people with an almond allergy?

No. Being unsalted doesn’t change the fact that almonds themselves are an allergen. Also check for warnings about other nuts and peanuts if these are relevant to your allergy.

Do you need to prepare roasted almonds before eating them?

On the product page examined, Joybuy describes Duyvis Oven-Roasted Almonds as ready to eat as a snack. This information applies to that variety; check the instructions for other products separately.