Lunchbox planners
You take almonds to university and want to decide how many go in your lunchbox. A pack that is explicitly described as resealable suits this way of preparing lunch.
Who this choice is relevant to
People sharing lunch with a group
You’re organising a shared canteen lunch and want to know whether an order contains small bags or larger packs. If the canteen serves the almonds unpackaged, it must also provide accessible allergen information.
Label-conscious lunch buyers
You consider more than just the pack size: you also look at whether the almonds are unsalted or seasoned, as well as the ingredients and any allergens relevant to you or the people you’re buying for.
What to look for when choosing
Individual portion packs
Choose this when: you want to take or hand out one sealed bag per lunch.
Trade-off: the portion size is fixed. The former AH multipack of 3 x 40 g bags was a nut mix, not a product containing almonds only.
Several larger bags
Choose this when: you want to portion out supplies for several lunches and make your own portions for each occasion.
Trade-off: you’ll still need to weigh and divide them up; several large bags are not automatically small lunch portions.
One resealable bag
Choose this when: you prepare lunchboxes at home and want to decide how much to use yourself.
Trade-off: you’ll need to portion out the contents yourself. ALDI describes the 200 g Trader Joe’s version as resealable; this doesn’t tell you how many portions you’ll get or how long it will keep after opening.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion per bag | Check the number of bags, the weight of each one and whether the ingredients are almonds only. | If I want to take a suitable portion for each university lunch, I focus on the amount in each bag. Around 27% of consumers put having an individual lunch portion first. |
| Sharing at a group lunch | Check how many individual packs there are and how many grams each contains. Make sure allergen information is also available if the canteen serves them unpackaged. | For a shared lunch, I want to know in advance how many individual portions I can hand out and what allergen information is available. An estimated 27% of consumers give practical portioning top priority. |
| Supplies for several lunches | Compare the total weight with the amount you want to use for each lunchbox, and follow the storage instructions on the pack. | If I want to portion almonds out for several lunches, I look for an amount that suits how much I use and how I store them. Around 20% of consumers put planning their supplies first. |
| Preparation and salt | Read the variety and ingredients on the pack. Roasted doesn’t automatically mean unsalted. | If I’m looking for a particular flavour or preparation method, I check this separately from the pack size. Around 13% of consumers make flavour and preparation their top priority when choosing. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the information on the exact pack, including allergens and any warnings. Don’t rely on the product name alone. | If I’m taking almonds for myself or someone else, I want to know exactly what’s in them and which allergens are listed. An estimated 13% of consumers put ingredients and allergen information first. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing the total weight with the number of lunch portions
A 125 g bag isn’t automatically one small lunch portion. A multipack can also contain several larger packs intended for storing in the cupboard.
Before buying, check separately how many packs there are and how many grams each one contains.
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Mistaking a nut mix for a product containing almonds only
The former AH multipack of 3 x 40 g bags contained hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews, among other things.
Read the ingredients list and check that the contents match what you’re looking for; don’t present a nut mix as almonds only.
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Assuming no added fat means unsalted
Duyvis’s preparation description says the almonds are roasted without added oil or fat. On its own, this doesn’t tell you whether the variety is salted.
Check the exact variety and salt information on the pack, separately from the preparation claim.
Brands for reference
Duyvis
Duyvis describes Almonds Original as a roasted almond variety in a 125 g pack.
- Duyvis says the almonds are roasted without adding oil or fat; this is information from the manufacturer.
- A 125 g pack isn’t automatically a small portion pack. Check the salt variety too.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has product information for unsalted almonds; a multipack described previously was a nut mix.
- The product names distinguish between almonds and nut mix.
- The former size of 3 x 40 g bags contained four types of nuts, including almonds, and was not a multipack containing almonds only.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes unsalted almonds in a 140 g pack.
- The product information says to store the almonds in a cool, dry and dark place.
- The weight doesn’t confirm that the pack contains individual bags.
Lidl
Lidl’s Dutch product information lists an Unsalted Almonds variety.
- The unsalted variety is clearly identified as a product type.
- Don’t infer the weight, whether it’s resealable or how many portion bags it contains from the product name.
ALDI
The ALDI Trader Joe’s almonds described are roasted and unsalted, in a 200 g pack.
- The product information describes the pack as resealable.
- Being resealable doesn’t make it a multipack or tell you how long the product will keep after opening.
PLUS
PLUS describes unroasted, unsalted almonds in a 200 g stand-up pouch.
- The product information specifies the preparation method, salt variety and weight.
- The term ‘stand-up pouch’ doesn’t confirm that the pack is resealable or contains individual portion bags.
Almonds to portion yourself
These Joybuy product picks are bags of almonds for making your own lunchbox portions; the contents, preparation method and salt variety vary by product.
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Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels 160 g
The resealable pack is suitable for portioning out for several lunches.
160 g; according to the product information, the ingredients are 100% almond kernels. Contains almonds.
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g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted 200 g
The 200 g bag is an option if you want to decide how much to put in your lunchbox yourself.
The product name specifies raw, unsalted almonds. According to the product information, the pack should be closed after opening.
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Anatolia Roasted Salted Almonds 500 g
The 500 g pack can be divided into lunch portions of your choice.
The product information describes roasted, salted almonds and gives storage advice for after opening. It warns of a choking hazard for young children and says the product is not suitable for babies. Contains tree nuts; the description warns people with a nut allergy.
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Anatolia Badem Natural (Almond) 500 g
The 500 g size is suitable for portioning out into lunchboxes if you’re looking for a larger bag.
According to the product information, the ingredients are 100% natural almonds. The description gives storage advice for after opening. Contains almonds.
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g'woon Roasted & Salted Almonds 150 g
This resealable 150 g bag is a good fit for portioning out over several lunches.
The product information describes roasted almonds with oil and salt. May contain traces of peanuts and other nuts.
Frequently asked questions
Does a multipack mean each bag contains exactly one lunch portion?
No. The number of bags doesn’t tell you how many grams are in each one. Check both details: a Duyvis multipack described previously contained four 125 g bags, while the former AH multipack contained three 40 g bags of nut mix.
How do I work out how many lunchboxes I can fill from one bag?
Divide the net weight by the amount you want to use per lunchbox. For example, 200 g gives you eight portions at 25 g per lunchbox. Voedingscentrum uses 25 g as a handful-sized portion on the information page consulted; this calculation is not personal nutritional advice.
How should I store almonds between lunches?
Follow the instructions on the exact pack. Jumbo says its unsalted almonds should be stored in a cool, dry and dark place; the ALDI Trader Joe’s pack described is resealable. Always follow the best-before information and any instructions for after opening.
Does roasting make almonds suitable for someone with an almond allergy?
No, roasting doesn’t make almonds allergen-free. Stichting Voedselallergie says the allergen remains stable when heated. Check the allergen information on the pack and don’t judge suitability by the preparation method alone.
Does a university canteen in the Netherlands have to provide allergen information if it serves almonds loose?
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, the provider must make information about the allergens present available and specify which type of nut is involved. Information can be provided verbally under certain conditions, including displaying a notice telling customers they can ask for it and ensuring the information is available before purchase.