Lunch planners for young children
You’re looking for a form that’s suitable for young children and supervised mealtimes. For children under 4, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises offering nut butter or ground nuts instead of whole nuts.
Who is this choice relevant for?
Planners managing allergy requirements
You’re planning lunch around documented allergies and the arrangements with the childcare setting. Almond butter also contains almonds, so check the product information and any requirements for preparation and storage.
Buyers comparing fat claims
You want to distinguish between low fat, reduced fat and no added fat. Check the exact variant and its nutritional information: a description of how a product is made does not, by itself, prove that it has a lower fat content.
What should you look for when buying?
First, decide which form and ingredients are suitable for the child and childcare setting. Then check the fat claim and practical storage instructions.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable texture | Check the age guidance and don’t give whole nuts as a snack to children under 4. | For lunch for a young child, I first want a form that’s suitable for safe, supervised eating. Around 36% of consumers prioritise an age-appropriate texture. |
| Allergens and childcare arrangements | Read the allergen information on the exact product packaging and check that the product fits the childcare setting’s requirements. | If allergy requirements apply, I want to know whether the ingredients and any cross-contamination information are suitable. Around 29% of consumers give top priority to following allergy or childcare requirements. |
| What the fat claim means | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the exact variant, and assess the claim separately from portion size and preparation method. | When I’m looking for less fat, I want to be able to assess a claim using the right product information, not just words such as ‘unsalted’. Around 21% of consumers prioritise a demonstrable reduction in fat. |
| Preparation and storage | Check whether any further preparation is needed and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. | For lunch that’s prepared regularly, I want to know whether the preparation and storage requirements fit the childcare setting’s routine. Around 14% of consumers consider ease of everyday use the most important factor. |
Common mistakes
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Checking the fat claim before considering the product’s form
A nutrition claim does nothing to reduce the choking risk posed by a whole nut. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts to children under 4.
First, decide which texture is suitable for the child. For young children, use nut butter or ground nuts instead of whole almonds.
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Assuming no added fat means low fat
Duyvis describes Almonds Original as roasted without adding oil or fat. Dutch product information for Duyvis Oven roasted amandelen states that it contains 50 g of fat per 100 g.
Check the nutritional information per 100 g for the exact variant, and assess the claim separately from the description of how it’s made.
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Assuming 100% almond means allergen-free
The AH almond butter reviewed contains almonds and states that it may also contain other nuts and peanuts.
Check the label and follow the individual arrangements with the childcare setting. Almond butter isn’t an alternative if almonds are excluded.
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Storing all almond products in the same way
The product page for AH Terra Plantaardig 100% pasta amandel says to refrigerate after purchase; PLUS advises storing its unroasted almonds in a cool, dry place.
Follow the instructions for the variant you choose and check that the childcare setting has the necessary storage facilities.
Almond butter may need to be refrigerated. Whole almonds for young children must also be prepared in a suitable form first.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The product information distinguishes between almond butter and unsalted whole almonds.
- For AH Terra Plantaardig 100% pasta amandel, Albert Heijn lists almond as the only ingredient and 54 g of fat per 100 g. For AH Amandelen ongezouten, Albert Heijn lists 53 g of fat per 100 g.
- The almond butter may contain other nuts and peanuts. Neither product’s nutritional information indicates a low-fat variant.
PLUS
PLUS Amandelen ongebrand en ongezouten is an almond option for recipes that call for unroasted, unsalted almonds.
- PLUS lists almonds as the ingredient, with 50 g of fat and 0,03 g of salt per 100 g.
- Unroasted and unsalted describe the variant, but don’t prove that it has a reduced fat content. The product may contain other nuts and peanuts.
Jumbo
Jumbo Ongezouten Amandelen is a specific roasted variant to consider if you’re keeping an eye on salt and added oil.
- The product information lists 99% almonds and sunflower oil as ingredients, plus 60 g of fat and 0,03 g of salt per 100 g.
- This variant is unsalted but contains sunflower oil. The product information doesn’t cover all other Jumbo almond products.
ALDI
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s Ongebrande amandelen as a shop product.
- ALDI describes this variant as untreated almonds in a resealable pack.
- The description and packaging don’t prove a reduced fat content or that whole almonds are suitable as a snack for young children.
Lidl
Lidl lists Amandelen ongebrand as a shop product.
- The product name indicates that these are unroasted almonds.
- Unroasted doesn’t indicate a lower fat content.
Duyvis
Duyvis describes Almonds Original as oven-roasted without adding oil or fat.
- Duyvis’s preparation description makes clear that, according to the brand, no oil or fat is added.
- Albert Heijn lists 50 g of fat and 1,1 g of salt per 100 g for Duyvis Oven roasted amandelen. So the preparation description doesn’t automatically mean low fat or unsalted.
Almond products at Joybuy
This Joybuy selection includes plain almonds and almond butter for use where the childcare setting allows the ingredient. The products listed here aren’t presented as low-fat options; check the nutritional information, product form and allergen details for the exact product.
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g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted, 200 g
These raw, unsalted almonds may be suitable if the childcare setting allows almonds and they’re prepared in an appropriate form.
The ingredients list states almonds; the nutritional information gives 50 g of fat and 0,03 g of salt per 100 g.
Don’t give whole almonds as a snack to children under 4.
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Anatolia Badem Natural (Amandel), 500 gr
This variant may be suitable if you’re looking for almonds to use as the basis for a recipe and the childcare setting allows them.
The ingredients list states 100% almonds. The nutritional information gives 50 g of fat and 0,00 g of salt per 100 g.
This product contains almonds; check that its use fits the individual allergy requirements and arrangements with the childcare setting.
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Dr. Oetker Almond Paste, 300 g
This almond paste is intended for uses such as baking. Check whether it’s suitable for your lunch plan and the childcare setting’s requirements.
The ingredients list states 46% almonds; the nutritional information gives 24 g of fat and 46 g of sugars per 100 g.
The ingredients also include sugar and water. The product description states that it may contain gluten (wheat), egg, milk and soya.
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Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels, 160 g
These whole almond kernels may be suitable if almonds are allowed under the childcare setting’s requirements and they’re further prepared.
The ingredients list states 100% almond kernels. The nutritional information gives 53,8 g of fat and 0,028 g of salt per 100 g.
Don’t give whole kernels as a snack to children under 4. Check that their use fits the allergy requirements and childcare arrangements.
Frequently asked questions
Can you serve whole almonds at lunch for a toddler?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts to children under 4 and suggests nut butter or ground nuts as alternatives. For older children, eating calmly and being supervised are still important.
Are almonds with no added fat also low fat?
Not necessarily. For solid foods, the European Commission defines ‘low fat’ as no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists 50 g of fat per 100 g for Duyvis Oven roasted amandelen, even though Duyvis says no oil or fat is added during preparation.
Is almond butter suitable if almonds are excluded?
No. Almond butter contains almonds. If a child has an allergy, follow the requirements agreed with the child’s family and childcare setting; changing the product’s form doesn’t make it almond-free.
Where can you find allergen information for pre-packed almonds?
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for pre-packed products must appear on the label. Check the packaging for the exact variant and make sure your choice fits the childcare setting’s requirements.
How should you store AH Terra Plantaardig 100% pasta amandel?
Albert Heijn advises stirring the almond butter before use and refrigerating it after purchase at a maximum of 7°C. Follow the instructions on the pack you buy; don’t assume the same storage method applies to other variants.