Choose almonds for treat bags only if they’re suitable for allergies, school rules and the children’s ability to eat them safely. Otherwise, choose another suitable treat or celebrate without food. A small, unsalted portion may suit anyone looking for a lighter treat, but portion size and preparation don’t automatically make almonds low-fat or reduced-fat. For solid foods, the European Commission defines a ‘low fat’ claim as no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends small portions for treats.
You want to fill small bags and are keeping an eye on portion size and fat content. Unsalted, made without added fat and low-fat are different properties, so compare the nutritional information for the exact product.
You want to take allergies, school rules, and the children’s age and ability to eat safely into account. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also suggests a class gift or a celebration without individual food treats.
You want to divide the contents yourself and store any leftovers properly. A 140, 190 or 200 g pack doesn’t automatically equal one or more suitable children’s portions; work out the amount you need for your treat separately.
First, consider whether almonds are suitable for the recipients and comply with school rules. Then check the nutritional information, portion size and packaging.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergies and school rules | Ask about the school’s rules for treats, and read the ingredients list and any warnings on the exact pack. | If I’m choosing something for a class, I want to check first whether allergies and school rules allow it. Around 28% of consumers put suitability first. |
| Verified lower fat content | Compare total fat per 100 g and check what any comparative claim is based on. | Anyone choosing almonds to reduce their overall fat intake will want to assess the claim and nutritional information for the exact product. This is the top priority for around 22% of consumers. |
| Texture and age suitability | Consider whether whole nuts are suitable for the child’s age and ability to eat safely; make sure they can sit calmly and be supervised. | For young children, the form in which food is eaten matters. Around 22% of consumers put age-appropriate texture first. |
| Small portion and ingredients | Weigh the amount for each bag and check the ingredients, salt and total fat. | If I mainly want a small, unsalted treat, I’ll look for a suitable portion without assuming that this means the product is low-fat. This is the top priority for around 17% of consumers. |
| Quantity and storage | Work out how much you need for the number of bags and follow the storage instructions on the pack. | Anyone filling lots of bags will want to divide the contents easily and store any leftovers properly. Around 11% of consumers make this their top shopping priority. |
A claim about fat doesn’t change the fact that the product contains almonds or that whole nuts may pose a choking risk. School rules also determine whether a food treat is suitable.
Check the rules and any relevant allergies first. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises taking the group into account when choosing treats; if they’re not suitable, choose another option.
Duyvis describes almonds roasted without added oil or fat. That doesn’t mean the finished product is low in total fat. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim.
Check the nutritional information per 100 g and treat the preparation method and a nutrition claim as separate properties.
An average serving shown on a product pack isn’t automatically a suitable amount for a treat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends small portions for treats.
Work out and weigh the amount for each bag yourself; don’t present a pack serving as established advice for children.
An unsalted product can still contain other ingredients. For example, Jumbo Unsalted Almonds lists sunflower oil alongside almonds.
Compare the ingredients list and nutritional information for the exact product, rather than relying on the product name alone.
Duyvis describes Almonds Original as oven-roasted almonds made without added oil or fat. This may be relevant if the preparation method is what you’re looking for.
AH Unsalted Almonds are a roasted variety in a 190 g pack, which you can portion yourself.
Jumbo Unsalted Almonds 140 g is a smaller pack that you can portion yourself.
Lidl lists Unsalted Almonds, product number 172897.
ALDI describes Trader Joe’s unroasted almonds in a 200 g pack.
PLUS Unroasted and Unsalted Almonds are available in a 200 g stand-up pouch.
The products below are standard almonds to portion yourself, not options that qualify for a ‘low fat’ claim based on the stated fat content. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for this claim.
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Suitable for portioning yourself if you’re looking for standard almonds for treat bags; not suitable for anyone with an almond allergy.
The product information lists 100% almond kernels and 53.8 g of fat per 100 g. This is above the European Commission threshold for a ‘low fat’ claim.
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A standard unsalted variety to portion yourself; bear in mind the risk of almond allergy and the recipients’ age and ability to eat safely.
The product information lists 50 g of fat per 100 g, above the European Commission threshold for a ‘low fat’ claim. The product description advises closing the pack securely after opening.
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The larger pack may suit you if you want to fill several bags yourself; bear in mind the risk of almond allergy and choose a texture that’s suitable for the recipients.
The product information lists 100% almonds, 0.00 g of salt and 50 g of fat per 100 g. This fat content is above the European Commission threshold for a ‘low fat’ claim.
For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g as the condition for a ‘low fat’ claim. A smaller portion doesn’t change the fat content per 100 g. The AH, Jumbo and PLUS varieties listed above are all over this threshold.
No. ‘Made without added fat’ describes the preparation method; it doesn’t mean the product contains less total fat than similar products. Read the nutritional information for the exact product and check what any comparative claim refers to.
Amsterdam UMC advises giving children under 4 nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of whole nuts, due to the risk of choking. Whole nuts can also pose a risk for older children: ask children to sit calmly while eating and stay nearby. This advice doesn’t make almonds suitable for anyone with an almond allergy.
First, decide how many bags you need and weigh out the amount for each one separately. Keep the original packaging so you have the ingredients, allergen and best-before information. Follow the storage instructions for the exact product; AH advises storing its unsalted almonds in a cool, dark, dry place and closing the pack securely.
The NVWA explains the mandatory allergen information required on food labels. According to the NVWA, new Dutch rules have also applied since 1 January 2026 on how and when food businesses must warn about possible cross-contamination. Check the packaging and follow the school’s rules too; a warning doesn’t mean an almond product is nut-free.
