Regular snackers at home
If you often eat nuts while gaming and use the same supply at other times too, check the price per kilo and choose an amount you’ll get through. The supermarket ranges mentioned include 200 g and 500 g packs.
Who is a larger bag suitable for?
Mindful snack shoppers
If you’re looking for an unsalted snack rather than a seasoned party snack, check the product type and ingredients first. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes unsalted nuts in its Wheel of Five; a coated cocktail peanut is a different product.
Sharing on games night
If you’re buying for several people, choose an amount to suit the group and the type of snack you want. Duyvis lists Cocktail packs ranging from 125 g to 1000 g; nut-and-fruit mixes are a separate option.
What should you look for when choosing?
The table groups shoppers by their main concern when buying, so focus on the trade-off that matters for your snacking occasion.
| Consideration | What should you look for? | Who is this more important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Value per kilo | Compare the price per kilo of similar products and check the ingredients. | I want to know whether a larger bag really works out better value for a similar mix; around 31% of shoppers focus mainly on the price per kilo. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check whether the mix is unsalted, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. | If I’m looking for unsalted nuts or need to account for an allergy, I check the label first; around 31% of shoppers prioritise the ingredients. |
| Quantity and storage | Estimate how much your household will use and follow the storage instructions on the pack. | I want to avoid having lots left in an open pack after a gaming session; around 23% of shoppers focus mainly on choosing a suitable amount and storing it properly. |
| Flavour and sharing | First choose between plain nuts, a nut-and-fruit mix and coated peanuts; then choose an amount to suit the group. | For an evening together, I want a snack that suits the occasion; around 15% of shoppers prioritise flavour and sharing. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming a bulk pack guarantees the lowest price per kilo
A larger pack may cost more per purchase and isn’t automatically better value per kilo than a smaller one.
Compare the price per kilo and ingredients of similar products. Only count a larger bag as a benefit if the amount suits how much you use.
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Comparing different types of snack directly
Coated cocktail peanuts and nut-and-fruit mixes have different ingredients from plain nuts. So the same pack weight doesn’t mean you’re comparing like with like.
Choose the type of snack you want first, then compare the ingredients and pack size of products in that category.
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Buying a large bag without checking the storage instructions
A supply that isn’t stored properly or used in time may be impractical.
Choose an amount to suit how much you use and follow the instructions on the specific pack. Storage advice for one type of nut doesn’t necessarily apply to every mix.
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Focusing only on the product name when sharing
A general name such as ‘nut mix’ doesn’t provide all the relevant allergen information.
Ask about any relevant allergies before sharing, and keep the pack with its ingredients and warnings to hand.
Brands and product ranges for reference
Duyvis
Duyvis describes Cocktail as peanuts with a crunchy coating and lists packs of 125 g, 275 g, 500 g and 1000 g.
- The pack sizes listed offer different quantities for a snacking occasion.
- Cocktail is a different type of product from a plain, unsalted nut mix.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists, among other products, AH Unsalted Nut Mix, 500 g, and AH Unsalted Nut Mix, 200 g.
- There are examples of both a smaller and a larger unsalted pack.
- The different product names haven’t been confirmed as identical recipes, so compare the ingredients of the variant you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a 500 g mix of unroasted nuts labelled as a bulk pack.
- The product name clearly states the contents and pack type.
- The term ‘bulk pack’ doesn’t prove it saves you money; compare the price per kilo with a similar mix.
Lidl
Lidl describes a 200 g mix of unroasted, unsalted nuts.
- A 200 g pack may suit you if you want to open a smaller amount.
- Check the information on the pack of the variant you buy.
ALDI
ALDI lists a 500 g unsalted nut mix under the name TRADER JOE'S, as well as separate 200 g nut-and-fruit mixes.
- The options listed differ in pack size and product type.
- Resealability is specified for the 200 g nut-and-fruit mixes mentioned, but not necessarily for every pack.
PLUS
PLUS lists a 200 g mix of unroasted, unsalted nuts and advises storing it in a cool, dry and dark place.
- The product information gives both the pack size and storage advice.
- Follow the instructions on the pack you actually buy.
Nuts and snacks at Joybuy
These Joybuy products range from unsalted nut mixes to seasoned peanuts and portion-packed nut-and-fruit mixes. Choose by product type and quantity, not just by the total pack weight.
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Duyvis Bran Nuts Provencale, 125 g
A good choice if you’re looking for a savoury peanut snack.
The description says these are coated peanuts with onion and garlic seasoning; the 125 g pack is divided into 4–5 portions of 30 g.
Contains peanuts and wheat; may contain milk, nuts, soya and mustard. Check the pack if you have a relevant allergy.
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g'woon unroasted, unsalted mixed nuts, 500 g
A good choice if you’re looking for a larger supply of unsalted mixed nuts.
The mix described contains 30% hazelnuts, 30% walnuts, 20% almonds and 20% cashews. The pack should be sealed tightly after opening.
Contains hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews; may contain traces of peanuts and other nuts. Check the pack if you have a relevant allergy.
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BE&CHEERY macadamia nuts, 500 g
A good choice if you’re looking for a larger pack of one type of nut rather than a mixed nut selection.
The description states that these are 100% macadamia nuts, with no added salt, sugar or seasoning.
This pack contains macadamia nuts only, not a mixed nut selection.
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g'woon raw, unsalted mixed nuts, 200 g
A good choice if you’re looking for a smaller pack of raw, unsalted mixed nuts.
The mix described contains hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews.
May contain traces of other nuts and peanuts. Check the pack if you have a relevant allergy.
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J.ZAO Classic Daily-Nut Mix, 750 g, 30 sachets
A good choice if you want individual portions for separate snacking occasions and like to combine nuts with dried fruit.
The 750 g pack contains 30 sachets of 25 g. The ingredients list includes walnuts, raisins, cranberries, blackcurrants, almonds, cashews and hazelnuts.
This mix also contains dried fruit; the cranberries contain sugar. Contains walnuts, almonds, cashews and hazelnuts. Check the pack if you have a relevant allergy.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare the cost of different pack sizes?
Divide the price by the weight in kilos to compare the price per kilo. Also compare the product type and ingredients: different nut mixes aren’t necessarily made to the same recipe, and a larger pack doesn’t prove you’re getting a volume discount.
Do unsalted nuts also have to be unroasted?
No. Unsalted and unroasted are separate product characteristics. Choose according to what you’re looking for and check both descriptions on the pack; Lidl and PLUS list examples that are both unroasted and unsalted.
How should I store an opened pack of nuts?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you bought. PLUS advises storing its listed mix in a cool, dry and dark place. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened unsalted cashews for six months in a kitchen cupboard or one year in the freezer; don’t automatically apply those timeframes to other nuts or mixes.
What allergen information should I check on a pre-packed snack?
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), allergen information for pre-packed products is shown on the label. Peanuts and nuts are separate allergens. If you have a relevant allergy, check the ingredients and warnings on the exact pack.