Who are these almonds for?

Train commuters after a workout

You want something to eat on your journey home and are keeping an eye on the protein per portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that most people who do sport don’t need special protein products if they eat a varied diet; what’s right for you depends, among other things, on your sport and overall diet.

Everyday snackers who choose unsalted nuts

You’re looking for a simple snack for a regular train journey and prefer unsalted nuts. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes unsalted nuts in the Wheel of Five.

Travellers who take the same pack on more than one trip

You want to use one pack for several journeys. Compare the pack size and storage instructions; ALDI describes the pack of Trader Joe’s Unroasted Almonds as resealable.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the portion you want to eat, then choose based on ingredients, flavour and how you’ll store the pack while travelling.

What to consider What to look for Who should consider this?
Protein per portion Compare protein and energy for the same portion size. The Albert Heijn, PLUS, Jumbo and Duyvis product pages reviewed give different values per 100 grams; converted to 25 grams, the protein values range from 5.25 to 6.75 grams. If I’m taking something with me after a workout, I want to know how much protein my portion provides and how it fits in with the rest of what I eat. Around 31% of consumers prioritise protein content.
Ingredients and salt Check the ingredients and salt content of the exact variant. The Albert Heijn and PLUS variants reviewed list almonds as the only ingredient; Jumbo also lists sunflower oil, while Duyvis lists a savoury seasoning mix. When choosing an everyday snack, I want ingredients that suit my preference for unsalted almonds. Around 25% of consumers prioritise unsalted ingredients.
Portioning and storage Check the pack size and follow the storage instructions for your chosen variant. ALDI lists Trader Joe’s Unroasted Almonds as having a resealable pack. If I want to take the same bag on more than one journey, I look for a resealable pack and storage instructions for after opening. Around 25% of consumers prioritise being able to take the pack with them more than once.
Flavour and ingredients Read the ingredients and nutrition table alongside the preparation description. Duyvis describes its almonds as roasted without added oil or fat, while the product page also lists fat and salt. If I prefer a savoury snack, I want to know which flavourings and nutritional values come with it. Around 19% of consumers prioritise savoury flavour.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking the value per 100 grams for your portion

    The packs contain more than the 25-gram portion used for comparison. A larger portion also provides more energy.

    Work out the protein and energy for the amount you actually plan to eat. If needed, portion out the almonds before you leave.

  • Assuming ‘no added oil or fat’ means fat-free or unsalted

    Duyvis’s description refers to how the almonds are prepared. The product page also lists fat and salt.

    Read the ingredients and nutrition table separately from the preparation description.

  • Thinking of almonds as a complete recovery food

    The protein provided by one product doesn’t tell you how much protein you need in a whole day. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre emphasises that your overall diet and sporting context matter.

    Consider your whole meal or snack, and don’t assume anything about recovery results from the snack’s name.

Brands compared

Albert Heijn

The AH Unsalted Almonds 190 g reviewed are a roasted variety.

  • The product page lists almonds as the only ingredient, with 27 grams of protein and 0 grams of salt per 100 grams.
  • These values apply to this variant and, on their own, don’t indicate a recovery benefit.

PLUS

PLUS Unroasted and Unsalted Almonds 200 g are the unroasted variety reviewed.

  • The product page lists almonds as the only ingredient and 24 grams of protein per 100 grams.
  • Being unroasted isn’t evidence of better recovery; check the storage instructions for this variant.

Jumbo

Jumbo Unsalted Almonds 140 g are the roasted variety reviewed.

  • The product page lists 21 grams of protein per 100 grams and includes a nutrition table for a 25-gram portion.
  • The ingredients list shows 99% almonds and sunflower oil, so ‘unsalted’ doesn’t mean that no oil has been added.

Duyvis

Duyvis Oven roasted almonds 125 g are a roasted variety with a savoury seasoning mix.

  • Albert Heijn’s product page lists 21 grams of protein per 100 grams for this variety.
  • Duyvis describes the almonds as roasted without added oil or fat; this doesn’t mean the product is fat-free or unsalted. The product page lists 1.1 grams of salt per 100 grams.

ALDI

The product description reviewed is for Trader Joe’s Unroasted Almonds 200 g.

  • ALDI describes the pack as resealable.
  • Check the information on the exact pack for ingredients and nutritional values.

Lidl

The Alesto Spanish Almonds range is listed in several 200 g varieties.

  • The product page confirms the range and the stated pack size.
  • The ingredients and nutritional values can’t necessarily be applied to every variety; check the pack you choose.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How do I compare protein when packs come in different sizes?

Convert the value per 100 grams to the same portion size: protein per 100 grams × portion weight ÷ 100. Based on the product pages, the AH, PLUS, Jumbo and Duyvis products reviewed provide 6.75, 6, 5.25 and 5.25 grams of protein per 25 grams respectively. These figures are calculations based on the stated values.

Do I need a special protein snack after every workout?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who do sport can get enough protein from a varied diet. Things may differ if you do intensive sport, have specific goals or face practical limitations; in that case, consider your overall diet and training situation.

How should I store an opened bag for my next train journey?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack for your chosen variety. Jumbo and PLUS recommend storing their products in a cool, dry and dark place; Albert Heijn’s product page recommends keeping opened Duyvis almonds in a lightproof, airtight container. ALDI lists a resealable pack for Trader Joe’s unroasted almonds.

What should I check if I have a food allergy?

Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety every time you buy it. The products reviewed contain almonds; the Duyvis product page also states that they may contain peanuts and wheat. The NVWA emphasises that allergens must be clearly listed on the label.

Can any product with a high protein content be called ‘high protein’?

A protein value alone isn’t enough to determine whether that nutrition claim can be used for a product. The European Commission states that nutrition claims are only permitted if they’re included in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 and meet the relevant conditions.