Movie-watchers who keep an eye on portions
You want to enjoy almonds during the film, while keeping your snack’s energy content in check. Compare the same quantity and measure out your portion in advance.
Who is this guide for?
Fans of simple snacks
You’re looking for unseasoned almonds with a short ingredients list, and want to assess any added salt or oil separately.
Savoury snack fans
You want a roasted or seasoned snack for movie night, and weigh up flavour and energy content separately.
What should you look for when choosing?
First compare the energy per 100 g and decide how much you want to eat. Then consider how the almonds are prepared, their ingredients and the packaging.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who will find this important? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Compare kcal per 100 g and weigh your portion. Calculate the energy in your portion using kcal per 100 g × portion weight in grams ÷ 100. | If I want to weigh my portion during the film, the energy value per 100 g on the label helps me calculate the energy in that amount. Around 42% of consumers prioritise energy per portion. |
| Ingredients and salt | Read the ingredients list and check the salt and energy information separately. | If you’re looking for an unseasoned snack, you can compare the ingredients and any added salt or oil. A simple ingredient list is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Flavour and preparation | Check whether the almonds are raw, dry-roasted or roasted in oil, and whether they are seasoned. | If I’m mainly after a savoury roasted flavour, I also check the salt and energy content rather than relying on the preparation description alone. Around 17% of consumers put flavour first. |
| Storage and portioning | Check the net weight, closure and storage instructions on the packaging. | If you want to divide a bag between several movie nights, packaging that reseals well and measuring out portions yourself can help. Around 16% of consumers prioritise practical reuse. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing dietary advice with a low-calorie claim
Dietary advice about nuts doesn’t mean that a product meets the separate threshold for the ‘low-calorie’ claim.
Assess the energy per 100 g separately from the amount you eat during the film. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for this claim.
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Assuming no added fat means low calorie
Duyvis describes its oven-roasting process as using no added oil or fat, while the label for Duyvis Oven roasted lists 635 kcal per 100 g.
Use the preparation description to choose by flavour, and the energy information to compare calories.
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Confusing unsalted with unroasted
Jumbo Unsalted Almonds 140 g are roasted and contain sunflower oil. ‘Unsalted’ therefore doesn’t mean the almonds are unroasted or contain no oil.
Check the ingredients list and preparation description for the exact variety.
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Thinking a resealable bag is a single movie-night portion
A resealable pack helps you store the rest, but it doesn’t measure out your portion for you. You could end up eating more than you planned.
Weigh out your portion in advance and reseal the rest of the bag after use.
Brands compared
Duyvis
Duyvis describes Almonds Original as oven-roasted without added oil or fat. The label for Duyvis Oven roasted 125 g lists 635 kcal and 1.1 g of salt per 100 g.
- The preparation description can help if you’re looking for a savoury oven-roasted flavour.
- No added fat doesn’t mean low calorie or unsalted.
Albert Heijn
AH Amandelen ongebrand 450 g are unroasted and unsalted; the ingredients list contains only almonds. The label lists 613 kcal per 100 g.
- An unseasoned option with a short ingredients list.
- These details apply to AH Amandelen ongebrand, not to every almond product from Albert Heijn.
Jumbo
Jumbo Ongezouten Amandelen 140 g are roasted and contain almonds and sunflower oil. The declared energy content is 661 kcal per 100 g.
- An option if you’re looking for roasted, unsalted almonds.
- Here, unsalted doesn’t mean unroasted or made without added oil.
Lidl
The Dutch product page describes a 200 g pack of unroasted almonds.
- The preparation method and pack size are listed as product features.
- Check the nutritional information on the pack of the variety you choose to assess its energy content.
ALDI
ALDI describes Trader Joe’s almonds in unroasted and roasted, unsalted 200 g varieties. The packs listed are resealable.
- A resealable pack can be handy if you’re splitting the contents between several occasions.
- Unroasted and roasted are different varieties; compare the packaging and nutritional information for the one you choose.
PLUS
PLUS Amandelen ongebrand en ongezouten 200 g lists only almonds as an ingredient and contains 591 kcal per 100 g.
- An unseasoned option with a simple ingredients list.
- The label information applies to this variety and isn’t an assessment of the entire PLUS range.
Almonds at Joybuy
This selection includes unroasted and roasted almonds. Compare the energy per 100 g and weigh out your movie-night portion.
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Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels 160 g
A good choice if you’re looking for a simple almond snack and want to weigh out your own portion for the film.
Ingredients: 100% almond kernels. Energy: 622 kcal per 100 g. The pack is resealable.
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g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted 200 g
A good choice if you’re looking for unseasoned almonds and want to decide how much to have during the film.
Ingredients: almonds. Energy: 591 kcal per 100 g.
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Anatolia Roasted Salted Almonds 500 g
A good choice if you’re after a roasted, salted almond snack.
Energy: 620 kcal per 100 g. Salt: 1.0 g per 100 g.
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Anatolia Badem Natural (Amandel) 500 gr
A good choice if you want a simple almond snack and prefer to weigh out your own portion.
Ingredients: 100% almonds. Energy: 578 kcal per 100 g. Salt: 0.00 g per 100 g.
Frequently asked questions
Can you call almonds low calorie if you only eat a small bowl?
No. For solid foods, the ‘low-calorie’ claim requires no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g, not per small bowl. A smaller portion reduces the energy you eat, but doesn’t change the energy per 100 g.
How do I compare the energy content of different almonds?
Compare the kcal per 100 g on the labels, then weigh the amount you want to eat. This lets you compare products on the same basis and calculate the energy in your own portion.
Are unsalted almonds also unroasted?
Not necessarily. Jumbo Ongezouten Amandelen 140 g are roasted and contain sunflower oil, so check both the preparation description and the ingredients list for the exact variety.
How should I store an opened bag of almonds?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. For AH Amandelen ongebrand, Albert Heijn recommends storing the almonds in a cool, dark and dry place and closing the pack securely after use. For Jumbo Ongezouten Amandelen, Jumbo recommends storing them in a dry, dark place.
What should I look out for if someone at movie night has a nut allergy?
Check the ingredients and warnings on the exact pack before serving. AH Amandelen ongebrand may contain peanuts and other nuts; Duyvis Oven roasted may also contain wheat and cereals containing gluten. Don’t assume that either product is suitable for everyone with an allergy.
Are whole almonds automatically suitable for young children?
No. The Albert Heijn product pages for AH Amandelen ongebrand and the Duyvis page for Oven roasted warn that young children can choke on nuts. Bear this warning in mind when choosing snacks for children.