Portion-conscious partygoers
You want to serve almonds on New Year’s Eve and decide for yourself how many to eat, without confusing ‘unsalted’ or ‘natural’ with low calorie.
Who is this relevant to?
Snackers keeping an eye on salt
You want to factor in the salt content and know that less salt doesn’t automatically mean fewer calories.
Hosts checking ingredients
You’re serving snacks to guests and want to check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. Almonds are not suitable for anyone with an almond allergy.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide which quality matters most for your gathering, then compare the labels on a like-for-like basis.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Compare kcal per 100 grams and weigh the amount you serve. | If I want to choose my snack portion mindfully, I look at the energy per weighed portion; around 39% of consumers prioritise portion size and energy. |
| Salt | Read the salt content per 100 grams and check whether salt is listed in the ingredients. | If I want to limit salt, I compare the label separately from the calories; around 23% of consumers give salt top priority. |
| Taste and preparation | Check whether the almonds are unroasted, roasted, dry-roasted or seasoned, and read the ingredients. | If I’m looking for a particular preparation or savoury flavour, I choose accordingly and then weigh my portion; around 15% of consumers start with taste and preparation. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients list and allergen warnings on the exact pack. | If I’m serving guests, I want to know which ingredients and warnings apply to this variety; around 15% of consumers prioritise this check. |
| Packaging and storage | Check the net weight and whether you can reseal the pack after opening. | If I’m buying almonds for the evening and any leftovers, I look for packaging that I can seal properly; around 8% of consumers start with packaging and storage. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Assuming ‘unsalted’ or ‘no added oil’ means low calorie
These descriptions refer to salt or preparation, not to the energy threshold for the ‘low calorie’ claim. The products reviewed contain more than 40 kcal per 100 grams.
Compare the energy per 100 grams and treat almonds as a snack to portion out, not as low-calorie almonds.
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Comparing portions that don’t weigh the same
Albert Heijn gives a 25-gram portion for its unsalted almonds; the Duyvis pack lists an average portion of 30 grams. Comparing these different amounts can blur the distinction between portion sizes and products.
First compare the values per 100 grams, then calculate them for the same weight in grams.
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Treating a whole pack as one snack portion
A pack contains more than a weighed snack portion. Resealable packaging doesn’t limit how much you eat.
Pour out the amount you want and seal the rest properly. Store nuts in a dry, airtight place, preferably somewhere cool.
Brands and varieties to consider
Duyvis
Duyvis Oven Roasted Almonds are an option if you’re looking for a savoury, oven-roasted variety.
- Duyvis describes the roasting process as using no added oil or fat.
- The label for this variety lists 635 kcal and 1.1 grams of salt per 100 grams. So the preparation description doesn’t mean the product is low in calories.
Albert Heijn
AH Unsalted Almonds are a good choice if you’re looking for roasted almonds with a simple recipe.
- The label lists almond as the only ingredient.
- For this 190-gram pack, Albert Heijn lists 627 kcal per 100 grams; this value doesn’t apply to the entire range.
Jumbo
Jumbo Unsalted Almonds 140 g are a roasted variety for anyone looking to avoid added salt.
- The label clearly lists sunflower oil as an ingredient.
- Unsalted doesn’t mean low calorie: the product page lists 661 kcal per 100 grams. This variety isn’t representative of all Jumbo almonds.
Lidl
The product information lists Unsalted Almonds as well as Alesto Spanish Almonds in several varieties.
- The product names give you a starting point for finding the variety you want.
- Don’t assume different varieties have identical nutritional values, or infer a lower calorie content from the product name.
ALDI
The product description for Trader Joe’s unroasted almonds mentions a resealable 200-gram pack.
- Resealable packaging can be handy if you want to keep some almonds after serving them.
- Resealable packaging says nothing about portion size or calorie content; check the nutritional information on the pack.
PLUS
PLUS Unroasted and Unsalted Almonds are a raw variety with a simple recipe.
- The label lists almonds as the only ingredient and 591 kcal per 100 grams.
- These nutritional values apply to this specific product, not to all PLUS nuts.
Almonds at Joybuy
These products are suited to anyone who wants to weigh out almonds for New Year’s Eve and also pay attention to ingredients, preparation or salt. All varieties contain almonds and are not suitable for guests with an almond allergy.
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Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels, 160 g
A good choice if you’re looking for a simple ingredient list and want to weigh out your portion. The product information lists 100% almond kernels and 622 kcal per 100 grams.
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g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted, 200 g
A good choice if you want unroasted, unsalted almonds. The product information lists 591 kcal per 100 grams; weigh your portion if you want to control the amount you eat.
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Anatolia Badem Natural almonds, 500 g
An option if you’re looking for a natural variety and want to weigh out your portion. The product information lists 100% almonds and 578 kcal per 100 grams.
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Anatolia roasted salted almonds, 500 g
A good choice if you’re looking for roasted, salted almonds. The product information lists 620 kcal and 1.0 gram of salt per 100 grams.
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g'woon Roasted & Salted Almonds, 150 g
A good choice if you want roasted, salted almonds. The product information lists sunflower oil, 1 gram of salt and 667 kcal per 100 grams.
Frequently asked questions
Are almonds for New Year’s Eve low in calories?
The varieties reviewed are not low in calories: the labels for PLUS, Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Duyvis list 591 to 661 kcal per 100 grams. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 grams for the ‘low calorie’ claim.
How do I compare the energy content of different portions?
First compare the nutritional values per 100 grams, then weigh out the same amount of each variety. That way, you’re comparing like-for-like portions rather than different serving sizes shown on the labels.
How should I store almonds after the celebrations?
Store almonds in a dry, airtight place, preferably somewhere cool. Also follow the storage advice and use-by information on the pack; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends around 10–15 °C as a suitable cool storage temperature.
Can I give whole almonds to young children?
Whole almonds aren’t necessarily suitable as a snack for children, as young children could choke on them. The product information from Albert Heijn and Duyvis includes a warning about this.
What should I check in the allergen information for guests?
Check the ingredients and allergen warnings on the exact pack. Almonds are an allergen, so a product containing almonds isn’t suitable for anyone with an almond allergy. The NVWA states that new rules on warnings about possible cross-contamination with allergens apply from 1 January 2026.