Choose almonds based on the protein content of the exact variety and the amount you’ll actually serve, rather than relying on a claim on the front of the pack. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, unsalted nuts are part of the Wheel of Five, but a party-sized portion is not a proven sports recovery product. Taste, salt and allergen information are separate considerations.
You want to know how a portion of almonds contributes to your diet, without assuming that this means they aid sports recovery. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses that most people who do sport don’t need special protein products if they eat a healthy, varied diet.
Your choice is mainly about flavour and how the almonds are prepared. Duyvis and ALDI describe roasted varieties, including salted flavours; check the salt content of each product too.
You want to be able to offer an unsalted option and have the ingredients and allergen information to hand. The Dutch Food Allergy Foundation lists nuts as allergens; a different preparation method doesn’t automatically make almonds suitable for someone with an almond allergy.
Compare the nutritional values per 100 g for the exact variety, then consider what your chosen portion provides. The preparation method and flavour alone don’t tell you how much protein it contains.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per portion | Compare the protein and energy per 100 g on the packaging, and take into account how much you’ll serve. | If I want to know what my portion provides, I check the nutritional values for that exact variety. Around 31% of consumers put protein contribution at the top of their list. |
| Savoury flavour | Check whether the almonds are roasted, salted or smoke-flavoured, then look at the ingredients. | If you’re mainly looking for a savoury flavour for your get-together, you can compare the preparation methods and varieties. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this flavour preference above all else. |
| Unsalted ingredients | Read the product name and label; check separately whether the variety is also unroasted if that matters to you. | If I want to serve unsalted almonds, I make sure not to confuse unsalted with unroasted. Around 19% of consumers choose this combination first. |
| Quantity and storage | Compare the net weight with your portion plan and follow the storage advice on the packaging. | For a get-together where I’ve planned the portions, I want to choose an amount that suits my guests and store any leftovers properly. Around 13% of consumers put quantity and storage first. |
| Allergens for guests | Check the ingredients and precautionary allergen warnings on the exact packaging, and keep the packaging available. | If a guest needs to consider a food allergy, I want to be able to show them the product information and agree on the choice with them. Around 12% of consumers put allergen safety first. |
A nutrition claim about protein doesn’t automatically mean that a product has been shown to aid recovery. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that most people who do sport don’t need special protein products if they eat a healthy, varied diet.
Compare the nutritional values for the exact variety and consider the snack as part of your overall diet. Don’t infer a product-specific recovery benefit from a protein claim.
Duyvis describes Almonds Original as oven-roasted with no added oil or fat. That description of how the almonds are prepared doesn’t mean the finished product contains no fat.
Read the nutrition panel alongside the preparation details for the variety you’re buying.
Unsalted and unroasted are product characteristics; they don’t change the fact that these are almonds. The Dutch Food Allergy Foundation describes a nut allergy as a reaction to proteins in nuts.
Don’t simply offer someone with an almond allergy a different variety of almonds. Agree on an alternative in line with that guest’s own allergy advice.
Almonds Original is a savoury party snack in a 125 g pack.
AH Amandelen ongezouten is an option if you’re looking for an unsalted variety from the AH own-brand range.
Jumbo Ongezouten Amandelen is a described unsalted variety in a 140 g pack.
Lidl sells almonds as part of Alesto, its range of nuts, dried fruit and party snacks.
ALDI describes Trader Joe's unroasted almonds and separate roasted varieties with salt or smoke flavouring.
PLUS Amandelen ongebrand en ongezouten is described as coming in a 200 g stand-up pouch.
This selection at Joybuy includes raw and unsalted almonds, as well as roasted, salted varieties. Compare the protein and salt values per 100 g and choose based on the portion you want to serve.
Image unavailable
The product information says the almond kernels are ready to eat, so you can serve them without any further preparation.
Joybuy lists 21,5 g of protein and 0,028 g of salt per 100 g; the description states that they are 100% almond kernels.
Storage advice: store in a cool, dry place. Contains almonds and is not suitable for anyone with an almond allergy.
Image unavailable
The title describes an unroasted, unsalted variety for anyone looking for both qualities.
Joybuy lists 24 g of protein and 0,03 g of salt per 100 g.
The product description suggests eating them as a snack and advises storing them in a cool, dry place. Contains almonds and is not suitable for anyone with an almond allergy.
Image unavailable
This roasted, salted variety is a good match for anyone looking for a savoury flavour for their get-together.
Joybuy lists 21 g of protein and 1,0 g of salt per 100 g.
Contains almonds and is not suitable for anyone with an almond allergy.
Image unavailable
The product description says the almonds are ready to eat as a snack with drinks.
Joybuy lists 21 g of protein and 0,00 g of salt per 100 g; the description states that they are 100% almonds.
Storage advice: store in a cool, dry place. Contains almonds and is not suitable for anyone with an almond allergy.
Image unavailable
This roasted, salted variety is for anyone looking for a savoury flavour to serve with drinks.
Joybuy lists 21 g of protein and 1 g of salt per 100 g. The product information states that salt makes up 0,7% of the ingredients.
The packaging is described as resealable. Contains almonds and is not suitable for anyone with an almond allergy.
No. Treat almonds as a food within your overall diet, not as a proven recovery product. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who do sport don’t need special protein shakes or bars if they eat a healthy, varied diet.
Compare the protein content per 100 g on the packaging for the exact variety, then consider the amount you’ll serve. This helps you avoid confusing the values per 100 g with what your own portion provides.
No. Unsalted describes whether salt has been added, while unroasted describes how the almonds are prepared. Check both characteristics separately if you’re looking for both.
Don’t assume that a different preparation method or an unsalted variety will be suitable: it’s still a product containing almonds. Check the ingredients and precautionary allergen warnings on the packaging, and agree on an alternative in line with your guest’s allergy advice.
Follow the instructions on the packaging for your variety. For the unsalted almonds reviewed, Jumbo advises storing them in a dry, dark place; ALDI describes Trader Joe's unroasted almonds as coming in a resealable pack.
