A small bag of almonds isn’t automatically suitable as a snack for a young child. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that whole nuts can cause choking and recommends chopping them very finely as a preparation adjustment. If almonds are allowed under your childcare setting’s rules, first consider their form and ingredients, then look at how convenient the packaging is.
You’re looking for something small to add to your child’s nursery lunch, but first want to know whether its texture is suitable. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns against whole nuts and recommends chopping them very finely when preparing food for young children.
You’re planning lunch around allergies or your childcare setting’s rules. Start by checking what’s allowed there, then read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
You want food to be easy to take with you and hand over clearly. Check whether the pack contains individual sachets or whether you’ll need to portion the food yourself. Packaging alone doesn’t determine a suitable portion for your child.
When: Only if their form is suitable for the child and allowed under your childcare setting’s rules, and the child can eat them sitting calmly and under supervision.
Consider: A small bag doesn’t change the texture of whole, hard nuts.
When: If almonds are allowed and you prepare them by chopping them very finely for a young child. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends this adjustment.
Consider: You’ll need to arrange the preparation and handover with your childcare setting. Chopping nuts finely doesn’t remove allergens.
When: If you’re looking for a different way to serve nuts rather than offering them whole, and nuts are allowed under your food guidelines. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests a small amount of 100% nut butter as an alternative for young children.
Consider: This isn’t a pack of loose nuts and still contains nuts.
When: If your childcare setting’s rules or your child’s individual allergy plan excludes almonds.
Consider: In that case, agree on another lunch item with your childcare setting. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests fruit, vegetables and wholemeal bread, among other snacks, for toddlers and young children.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| How they’re eaten and eating calmly | The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns against whole nuts and recommends chopping them very finely for young children. Agree on how to prepare them, and make sure the child sits calmly while eating. | As a parent, I want to know how the almonds will be eaten and whether my young child can eat them calmly and under supervision. Around 34% of consumers prioritise a suitable form and calm eating. |
| Allergens and childcare setting rules | Discuss the rules with your childcare setting and check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. Chopping almonds finely or choosing an unsalted option doesn’t make them nut-free. | If there are allergies or rules to follow at my childcare setting, I want to check the ingredients are allowed before packing the food. Around 33% of consumers give top priority to allergens and childcare setting rules. |
| Individual sachets or portioning it yourself | Check the net weight and whether the pack contains individual sachets. For example, Duyvis lists a 4x30gr multipack of nut mix; this isn’t portioning advice for a child. | If I want to measure out the amount in advance, I need to know whether the pack contains individual sachets or whether I’ll have to portion it myself. Around 20% of consumers prioritise ease of portioning. |
| Ingredients and flavour | Read the exact product name, ingredients and salt content. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS have product pages for unsalted almonds; the ALDI varieties reviewed are roasted and salted or smoked-flavour. | If I’m checking the ingredients, I want to distinguish unsalted almonds from salted or seasoned varieties. Around 13% of consumers make ingredients and flavour their first priority. |
The size of the packaging doesn’t change the texture of whole nuts. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that whole nuts can cause choking.
First, consider how they’ll be eaten. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends chopping nuts very finely or offering a small amount of 100% nut butter as an alternative for young children.
You may need to prepare the food and agree arrangements with your childcare setting, even if the packaging is convenient to take with you.
According to the manufacturer, Duyvis Unsalted Nutmix Walnut also contains walnuts, cashew nuts and hazelnuts. The manufacturer also states that it may contain traces of peanuts.
Read the ingredients and check that the product type and allergen information meet your childcare setting’s rules.
A resealable pack isn’t the same as a pack with individual sachets. ALDI describes a 200 g resealable pack; Duyvis lists a 4x30gr multipack of nut mix.
Check both the total weight and the number of individual sachets.
If the pack doesn’t contain individual portions, you’ll need to portion out the amount you want and hand it over to your childcare setting.
Duyvis describes Almonds Original as oven-roasted almonds in a 125 g pack. For Unsalted Nutmix Walnut, the manufacturer also lists a 4x30gr multipack.
Albert Heijn has a product page for AH Unsalted Almonds.
Jumbo lists Unsalted Almonds 140 g and recommends storing them in a cool, dark place.
PLUS describes unsalted almonds in a 150 g stand-up pouch.
The ALDI product page reviewed describes TRADER JOE’S Almonds, 200 g, as roasted and salted or smoked-flavour.
Lidl has a Dutch product page for Unsalted Almonds.
These are whole almonds that you can portion yourself or chop very finely. The product information doesn’t confirm that they’re suitable for young children to eat whole.
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A good choice if you want to decide the amount yourself and can chop the almonds very finely before giving them to a young child.
Raw, unsalted almonds; 200 g pack. Contains almonds: check that giving them to your child is in line with the relevant allergy and childcare setting rules.
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A good choice if you want to measure out the amount yourself and can chop the almonds very finely before giving them to a young child.
The product description lists 100% almonds and a net weight of 500 g. Contains almonds: check that giving them to your child is in line with the relevant allergy and childcare setting rules.
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A good choice if you’ll chop the whole almond kernels very finely first and check that almonds are allowed under your childcare setting’s rules.
The product description lists 100% almond kernels, large whole kernels and a resealable 160 g pack. Contains almonds; check that giving them to your child is in line with the relevant allergy and childcare setting rules.
Make sure your child sits calmly while eating, and stay nearby. A handy bag is no reason to eat while walking or playing.
No. Here, 30 grams is the amount in one pack within a multipack, not a recommended portion for your child. Choose the amount and preparation to suit your child and your childcare setting’s rules.
Unsalted doesn’t mean a product is nut-free. Follow your child’s individual allergy plan and check the current ingredients and allergen information. The Duyvis nut mix reviewed also mentions that it may contain traces of peanuts.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires any allergens present to be clearly stated on the label. Official EU guidance says allergens must stand out in the ingredients list. This doesn’t determine whether a product is allowed under the rules of a specific childcare setting.
Check the net weight and whether the pack contains individual sachets. The PLUS stand-up pouch reviewed contains 150 g; Duyvis lists a 4x30gr multipack for a nut mix. These are different products and types of packaging, not recommended portions for a child.
