A large bag works well if you regularly portion out almonds at home and use up the supply. With a multipack, you can open the packs one at a time, while a smaller bag may suit you if you want to buy less at once. Compare the same variety by total weight and price per kilogram, then consider how much you’ll actually use. Only choose almonds for a school lunch if they fit with any allergy arrangements and the rules of the school concerned.
If you buy almonds for regular school lunches, comparing individual bags and multipacks with how much you use can help. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also provides general storage information for unsalted almonds.
If you’re looking for an unsalted variety, check the product name and the information on the packaging. Raw and roasted are different preparation options; supermarkets such as PLUS and ALDI list these varieties separately.
Take account of any relevant food allergy and the arrangements for the pupil or school site. The Food Allergy Foundation lists almonds as a tree nut; also check the current labelling and confirm the arrangements with the school.
First, check whether almonds are suitable for the lunch in question. Then compare the variety, quantity and packaging with what you actually use at home.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Value based on how much you use | Compare the same variety by total price, net weight and price per kilogram; also factor in how much you use. | I don’t want to buy more than we’ll use at home. Around 33% of consumers prioritise value based on how much they’ll actually use. |
| Allergies and school arrangements | Check the current allergen information and confirm the arrangements with the school; the Food Allergy Foundation lists almonds as a tree nut. | I need to consider an allergy or a specific school rule before packing anything. Around 27% of consumers prioritise these arrangements. |
| Unsalted variety | Look specifically for ‘unsalted’ and check the ingredients and nutritional information on the current packaging. | I’m looking for almonds for regular lunches and want to choose the salt content carefully. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Portioning and storage | Check the storage instructions and whether the pack can be resealed; one pack is not automatically one lunch portion. | I want to prepare lunch portions and store the rest of the supply properly. Around 20% of consumers say this is the deciding factor. |
Almonds are still tree nuts, even when they’re in a sealed bag or container. Packaging doesn’t change the allergens.
If the relevant school rule excludes almonds, don’t pack them for lunch at that school site. If there’s an allergy, follow the agreed arrangements.
A pack containing several smaller bags doesn’t prove that the same quantity of the same variety is better value.
Compare the total contents, total price and price per kilogram on a like-for-like basis. Also consider how much you’ll actually use.
Duyvis describes Almonds Original as savoury and made without added oil or fat; the manufacturer also has a separate Unsalted Almonds range. So one description doesn’t prove that the other variety is unsalted.
Choose based on the specific variety name and check the ingredients and salt information for the product you’re buying.
For unsalted almonds, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists rancidity, a chewy texture and mould as signs of spoilage.
Follow the instructions on the packaging, reseal the supply after portioning and choose a quantity that suits how much you use.
The Dutch product pages distinguish between unsalted and raw almonds in multipacks.
Jumbo lists a 140 g pack of Unsalted Almonds.
PLUS lists raw, unsalted Almonds in a 200 g stand-up pouch.
ALDI lists TRADER JOE’S almonds in a raw variety and a roasted, unsalted variety.
The Dutch product pages distinguish between unsalted and raw almonds; the raw variety is listed as 200 g.
Duyvis has a separate Unsalted Almonds range alongside Almonds Original.
This selection at Joybuy ranges from smaller packs to larger sizes for stocking up, with both unsalted and salted varieties. When choosing, check the net weight, salt information and how much you want to portion out at home.
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A smaller pack for anyone looking to buy a limited supply for lunches.
The ingredients list contains only almond kernels; the net weight is 160 g. Reseal the pack after opening.
Contains almonds and is not suitable if there’s a relevant allergy or school arrangement that excludes almonds.
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An unsalted, raw option for anyone looking for this variety for their lunch routine.
The product name specifies unsalted almonds and a 200 g pack. Keep the pack tightly closed after opening.
Contains almonds and is not suitable if there’s a relevant allergy or school arrangement that excludes almonds.
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A larger pack for anyone who wants to portion out almonds at home and use up the supply.
The product information lists 100% almonds and a net weight of 500 g. Store in a cool, dry place and reseal the pack after opening.
Contains almonds and is not suitable if there’s a relevant allergy or school arrangement that excludes almonds.
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A larger supply for anyone specifically looking for roasted, salted almonds; this variety is not unsalted.
The product description lists roasted almonds in a 500 g pack. Store in a cool, dry place and reseal the pack after opening.
Contains added salt and almonds. Not suitable if there’s a relevant allergy or school arrangement that excludes almonds.
That depends on the arrangements at the school concerned and any relevant allergies. Check which rules apply in the classroom and lunch area. Allergen information for food sold in a school canteen is separate from permission to bring your own lunch.
No, the word ‘multipack’ doesn’t in itself prove that you’ll save money. Compare the same variety by total weight, total price and price per kilogram, and take into account how much you’ll actually use.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes unsalted nuts in the Wheel of Five and recommends a handful each day, with a variety of different nuts. Don’t automatically treat the whole shop-bought pack as one lunch portion.
Divide the net weight by the portion size you’ve chosen for planning your supply. For example, at 20 g per serving, a 200 g pack gives you ten portions. This is just a calculation, not nutritional advice; tailor the portion to the pupil and the rest of their food for the day.
Follow the instructions on the packaging; Jumbo advises storing its unsalted almonds in a cool, dark place. As general storage guidance for opened unsalted almonds, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives six months in a kitchen cupboard and one year in the freezer. Rancidity, a chewy texture and mould are signs of spoilage; general storage guidance is not a guarantee for every pack.
