For calorie-conscious snacking, start by weighing out a portion, then compare the nutritional information on the exact pack: unsalted cashew nuts aren’t automatically low in calories. Voedingscentrum lists 154 kcal per 25 g of unsalted cashew nuts; for children, you also need to consider their age, safe eating and individual nutritional needs.
Want to enjoy cashew nuts while keeping track of how much energy your snack provides? Check the weight of your portion and the kcal listed on the exact pack, rather than relying on terms such as ‘unsalted’ or ‘roasted’.
For children, the way food is eaten, the risk of choking and allergens all matter. In its guidance on energy- and protein-enriched diets, Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter rather than whole nuts for children under 4. Older children should also eat whole nuts slowly and under supervision.
If you’re dividing a pack between several holiday snack times, check the pack size, whether it can be sealed properly and the storage instructions. A whole bag isn’t automatically one snack portion.
Start with the portion you plan to serve, then check the nutritional information and ingredients for that exact variety. For children, the way the nuts are eaten and any allergens are also important.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Check the kcal per 100 g and weigh the amount you serve; a figure per 100 g isn’t the same as the energy provided by your portion. | If I want to know how much energy a snack provides, I check both the weighed amount and the kcal per 100 g. For around 36% of consumers, energy per portion is the top priority. |
| Sharing safely with children | Choose a suitable way of serving the nuts for the child’s age and read the allergen information on the exact pack. | When I buy cashew nuts for children, I consider the risk of choking and allergens. Around 28% of consumers give child safety their highest priority. |
| Ingredients and salt | Compare the ingredients list, salt content and energy value separately; ‘unsalted’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘no oil’ or ‘low in calories’. | If I want to limit additives, I compare the ingredients in the varieties themselves. For around 18% of consumers, a simple ingredients list is the most important factor when choosing. |
| Portioning and storage | Check the net weight, packaging closure and storage instructions on the pack. | If I use one pack for several snack times, I want to be able to portion it easily and store it properly. This is a top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
The AH and Jumbo varieties examined list 622 kcal per 100 g. According to the manufacturer, Duyvis Cashews Original are roasted without added oil, but the pack lists 604 kcal per 100 g. So the preparation method alone doesn’t tell you how much energy the nuts provide.
Check the energy, salt and ingredients separately on the pack of the variety you’re buying.
The packs examined range in size from 170 g to 500 g. Voedingscentrum lists 154 kcal for 25 g of unsalted cashew nuts; this general reference isn’t a portion recommendation for a child.
Weigh the amount you plan to serve in advance, and don’t automatically base children’s portions on an adult reference amount.
Whole nuts can cause choking. In its guidance on energy- and protein-enriched diets, Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt rather than whole nuts for children under 4.
Take the child’s age and the way the nuts are eaten into account. Older children should eat whole nuts slowly, while seated and under supervision.
The NVWA warning issued on 20 May 2026 concerns TRADER JOE'S unsalted cashew nuts, 170 g, with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026. The notice mentions possible metal fragments and applies to this specific batch.
Check the product, barcode and best-before date against the warning. Don’t eat the batch named in the notice; don’t assume the warning applies to other packs or the entire product range.
Cashews Original is a savoury, oven-roasted variety sold in a 125 g pack.
AH Unsalted Cashew Nuts are a baked variety sold in a 170 g pack.
Jumbo Unsalted Cashew Nuts is the variety examined that contains sunflower oil and comes in a 200 g pack.
The unsalted cashew nuts described are available in a 500 g pack and, according to the product page, are sold in store only.
TRADER JOE'S is the product name of the roasted, unsalted cashew nuts described, sold in a 250 g pack.
PLUS Unsalted, Unroasted Cashew Nuts is the variety described, sold in a 200 g pack.
These Joybuy products range from cashew nuts with a simple ingredients list to roasted and salted varieties. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, ingredients and pack size for the exact variety.
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The ingredients list states 100% cashew kernels; the product information gives 604 kcal per 100 g.
Net weight: 160 g. These are whole cashew nuts; in its guidance on energy- and protein-enriched diets, Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter rather than whole nuts for children under 4.
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The product information describes roasted, unsalted cashew nuts with cashew nuts as the ingredient.
Net weight: 200 g. Energy is listed per 100 g; check the exact nutritional information on the pack. Follow the storage instructions and seal the pack properly after opening.
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According to the product information, this oven-roasted variety contains salt and savoury flavourings.
Net weight: 125 g. The stated energy value is 586 kcal and the salt content is 0.92 g per 100 g. The allergen information also lists gluten, wheat and peanuts.
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The product information lists cashew nuts, sunflower oil and salt; this is a salted variety.
Net weight: 150 g. The salt content is listed as 1.0 g per 100 g. Check the energy value per 100 g on the exact pack.
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According to the product information, this variety contains cashew nuts and added salt.
Net weight: 120 g. The salt content is listed as 0.9 g per 100 g. Check the energy value per 100 g on the exact pack.
Not based on this snack topic alone. According to Voedingscentrum, energy needs depend on factors including age and activity, and vary from person to person. If you’re concerned about your child’s growth or eating, ask the JGZ, your GP or a paediatric dietitian for advice.
In its guidance on energy- and protein-enriched diets, Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt rather than whole nuts for children under 4, due to the risk of choking. Older children can also choke on nuts, so make sure they eat slowly, while seated and under supervision.
No. ‘Unsalted’ on its own says nothing about whether a product is low in energy. The AH and Jumbo varieties examined list 622 kcal per 100 g, so check the nutritional information for the exact variety and the amount you eat.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack of the product you’re buying. The NVWA states that allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed foods; also look out for warnings that other allergens may be present.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and seal the bag properly after use if advised. For the AH variety examined, the instructions are to store in a cool, dark, dry place; PLUS advises storing in a cool, dry place. These instructions don’t specify a fixed shelf life once opened.
Don’t eat TRADER JOE'S unsalted cashew nuts, 170 g, with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026. The NVWA warning issued on 20 May 2026 mentions possible metal fragments; check that the product, barcode and best-before date match the details in that specific notice.
