Mindful buffet snackers
You want to serve nuts while keeping an eye on the energy in each portion. Compare equal weights and use the nutritional values on the packaging you’ve chosen.
Who is this buying guide for?
Label checkers
You’re looking for a product with fewer listed kcal than other options, and don’t want to confuse unsalted with low in calories.
Buffet organisers
You’re buying for several guests and want to keep track of portions, types of nuts, allergens and leftovers.
What should you look for when choosing?
Portion size determines how many nuts you serve; nutritional values per 100g make it easier to compare different packs on a like-for-like basis.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy in each portion | Weigh the edible portion and calculate its energy using the nutritional values per 100g on the exact pack. | If you want to limit the energy in your buffet portion, weigh what you serve and use the label to calculate it. Around 38% of consumers put this portion-related priority first. |
| Kcal for the same quantity | Compare the values per 100g and take the edible weight into account. | When comparing products, you’ll want to use the same quantity and consider your preferred type of nut too. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Unsalted options and ingredients | Read the ingredients and compare salt and energy separately; unsalted doesn’t mean oil-free. | If you’re mainly looking for an unsalted product, check the ingredients too. Around 16% of consumers make this their priority when choosing a product. |
| Guests and storage | Check the allergen information and storage instructions on the packaging, and bear young children in mind. | For a buffet with several guests, you’ll want to keep track of the types of nuts, allergens and storage. Around 15% of consumers put this buffet-planning priority first. |
Common mistakes
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Calling a small portion a low-calorie product
A smaller portion contains less energy, but it doesn’t change the product’s nutritional values per 100g.
Describe a portion as smaller or weighed out. Only use ‘low energy’ if the product meets the relevant threshold.
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Assuming unsalted means oil-free
The Duyvis peanuts and Jumbo cashews reviewed here list sunflower oil; the term ‘unsalted’ says nothing by itself about their energy content.
Check the ingredients, salt and energy separately on the packaging.
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Using the bag weight of pistachios as the edible portion
Albert Heijn states that a 200g bag of AH Unsalted Pistachios contains around four portions of shelled pistachios, at 25g each.
Use the stated quantity of shelled nuts when calculating portions, and check the information on the current packaging.
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Assuming every nut mix is suitable for every guest
A mix may contain different types of nuts, and the packaging may also list other allergens. Peanuts and nuts are listed separately as allergens.
Keep the packaging and make the ingredients and allergen information clear to guests.
Brands for comparison
Duyvis
Duyvis Unsalted Peanuts are an option if you’re looking for peanuts with no added salt.
- Duyvis lists peanuts and sunflower oil as ingredients, and 614 kcal per 100g for the 235g variant.
- Unsalted doesn’t mean low in calories. The description ‘responsible snack’ is a brand claim, not an independent measure of its effects.
Albert Heijn
AH Unsalted Pistachios are a good fit if you want to serve pistachios at your buffet.
- Albert Heijn lists pistachio nuts as an ingredient and states that each 200g pack contains around four 25g portions of shelled pistachios.
- Check the allergen information and use the weight of the shelled nuts when working out portions.
Jumbo
Jumbo Unsalted Cashews are an option if you want to serve cashews.
- Jumbo lists 622 kcal and 0.02g of salt per 100g; the ingredients are 99% cashew nuts and sunflower oil.
- A difference in flavour doesn’t mean there’s a calorie advantage.
Lidl
Lidl’s Alesto range includes products such as Way To Go cashew nuts.
- The range information gives an overview of the product line and its variety.
- For energy and ingredients, compare the information on the packaging of the exact variant.
ALDI
The unsalted Trader Joe’s nut mix contains almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts.
- The mix includes different types of nuts for a buffet.
- An NVWA warning dated 20 May 2026 applied only to Trader Joe’s unsalted cashews, 170g, barcode 2003020120930, with a best-before date of 23 September 2026. The warning doesn’t apply to the mix mentioned here or to all ALDI nuts; do not eat the affected pack.
PLUS
PLUS Unsalted Unroasted Cashews are a good fit if you’re looking for a product made with cashew nuts.
- PLUS lists 598 kcal per 100g and cashew nuts as an ingredient.
- The product may contain peanuts. The lower value applies to this variant and doesn’t make it low in calories.
Nut products at Joybuy
These Joybuy products offer a range of nuts to compare by nutritional values per 100g and portion size. Check the packaging for the exact variant.
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Golden Turtle Premium Raw Peanuts with Skin 500g
An option for comparing peanuts by equal weight; the product description says they can be used as a snack.
The product description lists 567 kcal per 100g. The peanuts are described as unroasted, with roasting suggested as a preparation option.
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Jiazhouyuanye Original Flavour Large Cashew Nuts 160g
An option if you want to compare cashews by their nutritional values for equal weights.
The product description lists 604 kcal per 100g and 100% cashew kernels as the ingredient.
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g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted 200g
An option if you’re looking for raw, unsalted almonds for a snack.
The product description lists 591 kcal per 100g.
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Anatolia Badem Natural (Amandel) 500 gr
An option if you want to compare almonds by their nutritional values for equal weights.
The product description lists 578 kcal per 100g and 100% almonds as the ingredient.
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g'woon Cashew Nuts Roasted & Unsalted 200g
An option if you want to compare roasted, unsalted cashews with other varieties.
The product description lists 596 kcal per 100g.
Frequently asked questions
Are unsalted nuts the same as low-calorie nuts?
No. ‘Unsalted’ and ‘low energy’ describe different properties. The PLUS, Duyvis and Jumbo variants mentioned here list 598 to 622 kcal per 100g. According to the European Commission, the limit for a ‘low energy’ claim on solid foods is 40 kcal per 100g.
Why can’t I simply compare two handfuls of nuts?
Voedingscentrum values use different portion weights: 20g for unsalted pistachios and 25g for unsalted cashews. Converted to 25g portions, the averages are 147.5 and 154 kcal respectively. These are averages for each type, not nutritional values for every branded pack.
Do I need to provide allergen information at a buffet?
If you’re a food business offering food to consumers, the NVWA requires you to provide information about the allergens present, including for unpackaged products. The NVWA lists peanuts and nuts separately. This business requirement doesn’t automatically apply to a private buffet at home, but make sure your guests know about any allergens present.
Are whole nuts suitable for young children at the buffet?
Albert Heijn and PLUS warn that young children may choke on nuts. So don’t assume whole nuts are a suitable choice for young children at the buffet.
How should I store leftover nuts?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the exact variant. PLUS recommends storing its product in a cool, dry place. For mixed salted nuts, Voedingscentrum recommends a cool, dark, dry place and a tightly sealed container. Don’t automatically apply this advice to other variants.