Parents of children under 4
You’re looking for a form that’s suitable for a young child, such as ground nuts or nut butter rather than whole almonds. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts to children under 4.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Buyers who need to consider allergy requirements
You’re buying lunch products for a nursery group and checking the allergen information against the requirements for each child. The NVWA sets out the allergen information that must appear on pre-packed products.
Parents comparing protein values
You want to compare the nutritional values of unsalted almonds without using an adult sports or recovery goal as the basis for a child’s lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides general nutritional references; product values may vary by brand.
What should you look for when choosing?
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Form and age | For children under 4: ground nuts or nut butter, not whole nuts. Also consider the child’s eating skills and supervision. | When putting together lunch for a young child, I first look for a suitable form. For around 36% of consumers, the form of the food is their top purchasing priority. |
| Allergens and requirements | Check the allergen information on the packaging and compare it with the requirements for the child and the nursery. The NVWA explains how allergens must be labelled on pre-packed products. | When buying for a nursery group, I want to check that my choice meets the requirements for every child. Around 29% of consumers put allergens and individual requirements first. |
| Comparing protein | Compare the stated protein per 100 g for the exact product variant. Also consider how much will actually be used. | When comparing protein values, I want to use the same basis and avoid drawing conclusions about recovery benefits. This is the top purchasing priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and storage | Check whether the variant is unsalted or unroasted, what ingredients are listed and what storage instructions apply. | For regular lunches, I consider what’s involved in preparing and storing the product. Around 14% of consumers give composition, preparation and storage their highest priority. |
Pitfalls when choosing almonds
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Choosing whole almonds because they’re unsalted
Being unsalted says nothing about the form or the risk of choking. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts to children under 4.
Check the child’s age and choose a suitable form before comparing protein content or brands.
For young children, this means an extra preparation step before serving.
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Assuming roasted without added fat means unsalted
Duyvis describes Almonds Original as roasted without added oil or fat. That doesn’t in itself mean the variant is unsalted; the Joybuy product page for Oven Roasted Almonds lists salt among the ingredients.
Check the full variant name and ingredients list if you’re looking for an unsalted product.
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Assuming the same nutritional value applies to every brand
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 5.4 g of protein per 25 g for unsalted almonds. The stated values on product pages can vary by variant.
Compare the current labels for the exact products per 100 g, and take the ingredients and preparation method into account.
Brands to consider
Duyvis
Duyvis describes Unsalted Almonds as unsalted almonds and Almonds Original as a separately roasted range.
- The variant names distinguish between Unsalted and Original.
- The manufacturer’s claim that the almonds are roasted without added oil or fat doesn’t prove that Almonds Original is unsalted or suitable for a young child’s lunch.
Albert Heijn
The product page for AH Unsalted Almonds describes a 190 g roasted variant containing almonds.
- Albert Heijn states that this variant contains 27 g of protein and 0 g of salt per 100 g.
- The page mentions possible traces of other nuts and peanuts and warns about choking in small children; this information applies to this variant.
Jumbo
Jumbo Unsalted Almonds 140 g is a roasted variant made with 99% almonds and sunflower oil.
- Jumbo states that this variant contains 21 g of protein and 0.03 g of salt per 100 g.
- Here, unsalted doesn’t mean the product contains only almonds; the page also mentions possible traces of peanuts.
Lidl
Lidl sells a product called Unsalted Almonds.
- The product name distinguishes this variant from salted almonds.
- Check the packaging of the variant you buy for the exact nutritional values, ingredients and allergen information.
ALDI
ALDI offers Trader Joe’s Unroasted Almonds in a 200 g pack.
- The product page mentions a resealable pack.
- Being unroasted and resealable doesn’t make whole almonds suitable for children under 4.
PLUS
PLUS Unroasted and Unsalted Almonds comes in a 200 g stand-up pouch.
- PLUS states that this variant contains 24 g of protein and 0.03 g of salt per 100 g.
- The product information lists almonds and possible traces of other nuts and peanuts; being unroasted doesn’t change the age-related concerns around whole nuts.
Almond products on Joybuy
These Joybuy products make it easier to compare almond variants by stated protein and composition per 100 g. Age-appropriate forms and individual allergy and dietary requirements should always come first.
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g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted, 200 g
An option for comparing a raw, unsalted variant with other almond products; check that the form is suitable for the child.
Protein: 24 g per 100 g.
Salt: 0.03 g per 100 g.
Ingredient: almonds.
Take the allergy and dietary requirements for the child and nursery into account.
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Anatolia Badem Natural (Almond), 500 gr
An option for comparing the stated protein value and composition per 100 g; check that the form is suitable for the child.
Protein: 21.0 g per 100 g.
Salt: 0.00 g per 100 g.
The product information states that it contains 100% almonds.
Take the allergy and dietary requirements for the child and nursery into account.
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Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels, 160 g
An option for comparing the stated protein value of almond kernels; the product information describes the kernels as large and whole.
Protein: 21.5 g per 100 g.
Salt: 0.028 g per 100 g.
The ingredients information states that it contains 100% almond kernels.
Don’t serve whole nuts to children under 4; also take allergy and dietary requirements into account.
Frequently asked questions
Is 25 g a lunch portion for my toddler?
No. The 25 g mentioned by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre is a reference amount for nutritional values, not an automatic portion size for a toddler. Don’t use it as personalised portion advice.
Are extra protein for sport and recovery the basis for this lunch?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s example childcare policy uses a diet based on the Wheel of Five as its starting point and takes age into account. So don’t use a sports or recovery claim as the sole reason for choosing a product for a nursery lunch.
What allergen information should I check on packaged almonds?
According to the NVWA, allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed products. Check the packaging of the exact variant and compare the information with the requirements for the child and the nursery.
How should I store almonds after opening?
Follow the instructions on the exact pack. For AH Unsalted Almonds, Albert Heijn advises storing them in a cool, dark and dry place and closing the pack securely after use. For Jumbo Unsalted Almonds 140 g, Jumbo advises storing them in a dry, dark place.