Parents looking for small portions
You want to weigh out a modest treat and distinguish between less energy per bag and a low-calorie product.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Parents who put safety first
You’re making treat bags for a group and want to check the children’s eating skills, allergies and school or childcare rules in advance.
Those filling bags themselves who want an easy choice
You’re looking for a clear ingredients list and a pack you can portion yourself, without mistaking large packs or multipacks for children’s portions.
What should you look for when choosing?
Unroasted and unsalted
Choose this when: you want to weigh out equal portions yourself and are looking for a simple ingredients list, such as the PLUS version reviewed, which contains almonds only.
Bear in mind: unroasted almonds are still high in energy and contain nuts; check for allergies and any relevant rules.
Roasted and unsalted
Choose this when: you’re looking for roasted almonds with no added salt; the AH version reviewed lists almond as its only ingredient.
Bear in mind: unsalted doesn’t automatically mean no added oil. The Jumbo version reviewed contains sunflower oil.
Savoury seasoned
Choose this when: the savoury flavour is a deliberate fit with the rules for the treat.
Bear in mind: the Duyvis Oven roasted version reviewed lists 1.1 g of salt per 100 g; it isn’t an unsalted alternative.
No almonds
Choose this when: whole nuts aren’t suitable for the children’s eating skills, there’s a relevant allergy, or the school or childcare setting doesn’t allow nuts.
Bear in mind: choose an alternative that’s suitable for the children and fits the specific rules too.
A product doesn’t qualify as ‘low calorie’ just because you serve a small portion. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g for this claim.
| Point to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per treat | Compare kcal per 100 g and weigh the actual contents of each bag. | If you want to keep the amount in each bag small, check the weighed portion; around 25% of consumers say portion size is their main concern. |
| Allergies and group rules | Check the current ingredients and allergen warnings, and confirm the rules with the school or childcare setting. | If you’re making treats for a group, you’ll want to take account of specific allergies and rules; around 25% of consumers put these first. |
| Whole nuts | Assess the children’s eating skills and make sure they eat sitting calmly and under supervision. | If you’re unsure whether the children can eat whole nuts safely, how the nuts are eaten matters more than flavour or portion size; around 25% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Ingredients and salt | Read the ingredients list and check the salt content of the exact version. | If you’re looking for a simple recipe or want to avoid added salt, compare the specific versions; around 15% of consumers start here. |
| Ease of handing out | Check the weight per pack and whether a multipack consists of separate large packs. | If you’re short on time to fill the bags yourself, you’ll want to know in advance how many usable portions you’ll get from your purchase; around 10% of consumers prioritise convenience. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing a small portion with a low-calorie product
A smaller bag may contain less energy than a larger portion, but it doesn’t change the energy value per 100 g. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g for the ‘low calorie’ claim.
Keep portion size and product claims separate: weigh the amount and don’t describe almonds as ‘low calorie’.
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Assuming a snack bag means whole nuts are suitable
Whole nuts can pose a choking risk, and almonds remain nut allergens, regardless of how they’re prepared or packaged. The Voedingscentrum warns against whole nuts; VeiligheidNL recommends supervising children while they eat.
Check the children’s eating skills, allergies and group rules in advance. Choose a different treat if whole almonds aren’t suitable.
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Assuming ‘unsalted’ means ‘no oil’
The Jumbo Unsalted Almonds reviewed contain sunflower oil. The Duyvis Oven roasted version, by contrast, lists salt and seasoning. So the product names don’t describe the same quality.
Check the ingredients, salt and energy value separately on the packaging of the exact version.
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Mistaking a multipack for small treat portions
The AH Unsalted Almonds 6-pack consists of six separate 190 g products, not six children’s portions.
Check the weight of each inner pack, and allow extra time for filling and a suitable container for handing out the portions if you’re making small ones yourself.
Brands and product ranges to help you choose
Albert Heijn
The AH Unsalted Almonds reviewed are roasted and come in a 190 g pack; you can weigh out portions yourself.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, almond is the only ingredient; the version lists 627 kcal and 0 g of salt per 100 g.
- The AH 6-pack consists of six separate 190 g products, not individual children’s portions.
Jumbo
Jumbo Unsalted Almonds 140 g is a roasted option for anyone looking for unsalted almonds.
- Jumbo lists 99% almonds and 0.03 g of salt per 100 g; according to its product information, the salt occurs naturally.
- The ingredients list also includes sunflower oil, despite the ‘unsalted’ description.
PLUS
The 200 g stand-up pouch of unroasted, unsalted almonds is worth considering if you want to portion them yourself.
- PLUS lists almonds as the only ingredient and 591 kcal per 100 g.
- The product information notes that it may contain peanuts and other nuts. The product is neither low in calories nor nut-free.
Duyvis
The Unsalted Almonds and Almonds Original ranges are distinct from the savoury-seasoned Oven roasted version.
- Duyvis describes Almonds Original as made without added oil or fat; this is the manufacturer’s description.
- The Oven roasted version reviewed lists 635 kcal and 1.1 g of salt per 100 g. Consider each range separately.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands lists separate unsalted and unroasted versions; the listing opened for unroasted almonds gives a pack size of 200 g.
- The product names make the preparation method and salt option clear.
- The listings alone don’t say whether the products are suitable for children; check the packaging and group rules.
ALDI
ALDI Netherlands lists unroasted Trader Joe’s almonds in a resealable 200 g pack.
- ALDI describes this particular version as untreated and resealable.
- A resealable pack isn’t an individual serving pack, and the product description doesn’t support a low-calorie claim.
Almonds at Joybuy
These products are worth considering if you want to weigh out almonds yourself; always check that whole nuts are suitable for the children and comply with the rules for the treat.
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Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels 160 g
Whole almond kernels to weigh out yourself; choose these only if whole nuts are suitable for the children’s eating skills and fit the group rules.
Pack weight according to the product name: 160 g.
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g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted 200 g
An unroasted, unsalted option to weigh out yourself. Check the current ingredients and allergen information before handing out the almonds.
Pack weight according to the product name: 200 g.
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Anatolia Badem Natural (Amandel) 500 gr
A natural almond option to portion yourself. Whole almonds are only suitable if the children’s eating skills, allergies and school rules allow them.
Pack weight according to the product name: 500 gr.
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Anatolia roasted salted almonds 500 g
A roasted, salted option; not the right choice if you want to avoid salt in the treat. Also check that whole almonds are suitable for the children.
Pack weight according to the product name: 500 g.
Frequently asked questions
Can you call a small bag of almonds ‘low calorie’?
No, not just because the bag is small. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g for the ‘low calorie’ claim. A smaller portion doesn’t change the energy value per 100 g.
Is a 25 g handful a recommended treat for children?
Not automatically: 25 g is a unit for calculations, not a recommendation for every children’s treat. The Voedingscentrum lists 158 kcal for a 25 g handful of unsalted almonds. Adjust the amount and how they’re eaten to suit the children and the rules.
Are whole almonds suitable for young children?
If the children are young or you’re unsure about their eating skills, don’t give them a bag of whole almonds. The Voedingscentrum warns against whole nuts because of the risk of choking; VeiligheidNL recommends that children sit calmly and that an adult stays with them.
Must every school in the Netherlands ban nuts?
There’s no general national rule requiring all schools to do so. Rules can vary between schools and childcare settings, so check in advance what applies to the group. If nuts aren’t allowed, choose a different treat.
What allergen information should you check on the packaging?
Check the current ingredients list and allergen warnings for the exact version; almonds are nuts. Allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods. This labelling requirement for businesses doesn’t automatically mean that a parent has to follow the same rules when bringing in treats for a private birthday celebration.