Who this choice matters to

Snackers keeping an eye on portions

You want to know how much energy you get from the amount of almonds you eat. So compare the same weight and check the nutritional values of the exact variety. The Dutch Nutrition Centre lists 158 kcal for a 25 g handful of unsalted almonds.

Shoppers choosing unsalted options

You want to avoid added salt, so you check both the ingredients list and the salt content. Unsalted and low-calorie are separate criteria.

Travellers getting their snacks ready

You want to portion out your snack before you leave and reseal the rest for later. It’s also useful to distinguish between what you can take through airport security and what you’re allowed to bring into your destination. Schiphol confirms that there are Albert Heijn stores in Plaza; this doesn’t tell you whether a specific variety of almonds will be available there.

What to look for when buying

Start with the amount you want to eat, then compare the nutritional values of the exact variety. Finally, check that the ingredients and packaging suit your journey.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Calories per serving Check the kcal per 100 g for the exact variety and weigh the amount you’ll actually eat. If you want to manage your energy intake against a set amount, comparing the same weight is most useful. For around 45% of consumers, calorie control is their top priority when buying.
Salt and ingredients Read the ingredients list and compare the salt content separately from the energy value. If you want to avoid added salt and prefer a simple ingredient list, the ingredients and salt content are key. Around 22% of consumers prioritise unsalted products.
Portioning and carrying Check the pack size, whether it can be resealed and the storage instructions. Solid almonds are treated differently from liquid or spreadable foods under hand luggage rules. If you want to portion out your snack in advance and keep the rest for later, look for packaging you can seal. Travel convenience matters most to around 33% of consumers.

Common pitfalls

  • Treating a whole bag as one serving

    A pack may contain several servings. The nutritional values for a handful won’t be the same as those for the whole pack.

    Decide in advance how many grams you want to eat and weigh them out. Use the same serving size when comparing varieties.

  • Assuming ‘unsalted’ or ‘no added oil’ means ‘low calorie’

    These terms describe the ingredients or preparation, not necessarily the energy value. Seasoned almonds may also contain salt.

    Check the energy, ingredients and salt separately. Don’t assume a preparation claim means fewer calories.

  • Confusing permission at airport security with permission to import

    Hand luggage screening and the rules for bringing goods into another country are separate checks.

    If you have almonds left over, check the rules for your destination and any transit country. The Dutch government points out that countries have different import and export rules.

Brands and varieties to compare

Duyvis

The Almonds Original variety reviewed is a savoury, oven-roasted almond snack in a 125 g pack.

  • According to Duyvis, this variety is roasted without added oil or fat and contains 97% almonds.
  • It has a savoury seasoning and isn’t an unsalted option. Don’t take the preparation claim as proof of a lower energy value.

Albert Heijn

AH Unsalted Almonds is a 190 g roasted own-brand variety.

  • Albert Heijn lists almonds as the ingredient, with 627 kcal per 100 g and a serving size of 25 g.
  • Schiphol lists Albert Heijn stores in Plaza, but that doesn’t confirm this pack will be available on the day you travel.

Jumbo

Jumbo Unsalted Almonds is a 140 g roasted own-brand variety.

  • Jumbo lists 99% almonds and nutritional values per 100 g and per 25 g serving.
  • The ingredients include sunflower oil. So for this variety, ‘unsalted’ doesn’t mean it contains almonds alone.

Lidl

Lidl has a Dutch product listing for unsalted almonds.

  • The ‘unsalted’ label is a useful distinction if you want to avoid added salt.
  • Check the ingredients and kcal per 100 g on the specific pack; the product name alone doesn’t indicate its calorie content.

ALDI

The TRADER JOE'S Unroasted Almonds reviewed come in a 200 g pack.

  • ALDI describes the pack as resealable, which can be handy if you spread the contents over several snack breaks.
  • You’ll need to portion out the contents yourself. ‘Untreated’ doesn’t prove that the almonds are lower in calories than roasted varieties.

PLUS

PLUS Unroasted and Unsalted Almonds is an own-brand variety in a 200 g stand-up pouch.

  • PLUS lists almonds as the ingredient, with 591 kcal per 100 g and 0.03 g salt per 100 g.
  • A 200 g pack isn’t a serving recommendation. Weigh out the amount you want to eat and follow the storage instructions on the pack.

Almond products at Joybuy

These Joybuy product picks are for people looking for almonds to take on the go who want to assess the portion size, ingredients and packaging for themselves.

Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original almond kernels 160 g

Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original almond kernels 160 g

The product name describes almond kernels in a 160 g pack; decide for yourself how many grams to take as a snack.

View at Joybuy
g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted 200 g

g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted 200 g

The product title describes an unsalted variety. Check the ingredients and nutritional information on this pack if you want to compare its contents and energy value.

View at Joybuy
Anatolia Badem Natural Almonds 500 g

Anatolia Badem Natural Almonds 500 g

The product title describes a 500 g pack. If you want a smaller snack portion, portion out what you’re taking in advance.

View at Joybuy
Anatolia Roasted Salted Almonds 500 g

Anatolia Roasted Salted Almonds 500 g

The product title describes roasted and salted almonds. Choose this variety only if added salt suits your preferences, and check the nutritional information on the pack.

View at Joybuy
g'woon Roasted & Salted Almonds 150 g

g'woon Roasted & Salted Almonds 150 g

The product title describes a roasted, salted variety in a 150 g pack. Check the ingredients and portion out the amount you’ll take with you.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are almonds a low-calorie snack?

Not according to the European definition of the ‘low energy’ claim for solid foods, which allows a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g. The Dutch Nutrition Centre lists 158 kcal for a 25 g handful of unsalted almonds. A smaller portion contains less energy than a larger one, but that doesn’t make the product itself low in calories.

How do I compare the calories in different almonds?

Compare the nutritional values of the exact varieties for the same weight. Check the kcal per 100 g, then weigh the amount you actually want to eat; the serving size shown on a pack may not match yours.

Can I take ordinary almonds through security at Schiphol?

Schiphol lists food as permitted in hand luggage, which includes ordinary solid almonds. Liquid and spreadable foods are subject to the liquids rules. Follow the instructions from airport security.

Can I take leftover almonds into my destination country?

That depends on the rules in your destination and any transit country. Permission at hand luggage screening doesn’t mean you’re allowed to import them; the Dutch government stresses that countries have different rules for importing and exporting goods.

Can I buy almonds at Albert Heijn at Schiphol?

Schiphol confirms that there’s an Albert Heijn supermarket and two to-go locations in Plaza. That doesn’t guarantee that a specific variety of almonds will be available on the day you travel.