A 25 g handful of unsalted cashew nuts provides 5.3 g of protein, according to the Dutch Nutrition Centre; the nutritional information on the label of a specific product may differ. So choose based on the portion you eat, and consider protein alongside energy, salt and ingredients. Cashew nuts can complement your usual diet, but that doesn’t prove a product meets the requirements for a claim such as ‘high in protein’.
You want to include cashew nuts in your sports shopping and know what a serving contributes. Consider this snack as part of your total protein intake. The Dutch Nutrition Centre says that recreational athletes generally don’t need special protein products.
You’re looking for nuts to enjoy regularly and paying attention to salt and portion size. According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, unsalted nuts are included in the Wheel of Five; labels for individual products show that nutritional values vary between varieties.
You use cashew nuts as both a snack and an ingredient, so you might compare an unroasted variety with a product roasted in oil, for example. Also check the pack size and storage instructions on the packaging.
First, compare the nutritional information with the portion you actually eat. Then check the salt, ingredients and quantity you can store properly.
A good choice if: you’re looking for a simple ingredients list and want to enjoy the nuts as a snack or use them in dishes. The PLUS variety examined lists only cashew nuts as an ingredient.
Keep in mind: unroasted doesn’t automatically mean more protein. PLUS lists 18.5 g per 100 g and states that this variety may contain peanuts.
A good choice if: you’re looking for roasted cashew nuts with no added salt. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list sunflower oil in the varieties examined.
Keep in mind: the AH and Jumbo products examined both list 622 kcal per 100 g, while their stated protein values differ: 19 g and 21.5 g respectively. These figures are taken from the product labels.
A good choice if: a savoury flavour is your main reason for choosing them. Duyvis describes Cashews Original as oven-roasted and made without added oil.
Keep in mind: Duyvis’s product description doesn’t prove that this variety contains more protein or is low in salt. Check the label on the exact pack for this information.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per serving | The Dutch Nutrition Centre lists 5.3 g of protein per 25 g of unsalted cashew nuts. Compare this with the nutrition table for the variety you’re buying. | If I take cashew nuts with me for sport, I want to know what my own portion contributes and include it in my overall diet. Consumers who prioritise protein contribution account for around 36%. |
| Salt, energy and quantity | Check the salt and energy per 100 g, as well as the portion you actually eat. ‘Unsalted’ doesn’t automatically mean low in calories. | When I snack regularly, I want to be able to weigh out how much I eat and keep an eye on salt and energy. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this everyday snacking profile. |
| Ingredients and preparation | Read the ingredients list for the exact variety; unsalted, unroasted and made without added oil are different qualities. | If I also use the nuts in dishes, I want to know what’s in them and how they’ve been prepared. Consumers who make a simple ingredient list their first choice criterion account for around 21%. |
| Pack size and storage | Compare the net weight and choose an amount that suits how you use them. Store nuts in a tightly sealed container in a dry place, as advised by the Dutch Nutrition Centre. | When shopping, I want to choose a pack I can use in time and store properly. Around 14% of consumers prioritise pack size and value. |
You eat a serving, not necessarily 100 g. What’s more, a nutritional value on the label doesn’t on its own mean that a product meets the requirements for a commercial protein claim.
Read the nutrition table, calculate the amount for the portion you eat and consider its contribution to your overall diet.
The unsalted cashew nuts from Albert Heijn and Jumbo examined contain sunflower oil and both list 622 kcal per 100 g.
Check salt, ingredients and energy separately. Don’t assume one description on the packaging applies to every quality.
A larger bag means you need to be able to use and store the quantity appropriately. Nuts should be kept in a tightly sealed container in a dry place.
Choose a pack that suits how you use them, and seal it carefully after use.
A pack you can’t use in time or store properly may lead to waste.
Duyvis describes Cashews Original as a savoury, oven-roasted product in a 125 g pack.
The AH Unsalted cashew nuts examined are a roasted own-brand variety in a 100 g pack.
Jumbo Unsalted Cashew Nuts is the own-brand variety examined, in a 200 g pack.
Lidl Netherlands has a product page for unsalted cashew nuts.
ALDI Netherlands sells the Trader Joe's cashew nuts examined, roasted and unsalted, in a 250 g pack. Trader Joe's is the brand on the packaging.
PLUS Unsalted Unroasted Cashew Nuts is the own-brand variety examined, in a 200 g pack.
These Joybuy product picks are cashew nuts for snacking or cooking. The varieties differ in how they’re prepared, their salt content and their nutritional values, so check the product information for the specific pack.
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The description suggests enjoying them as a snack or adding them to yoghurt, muesli or baked goods.
The ingredients list states only cashew kernels. The label lists 19.8 g of protein and 0.028 g of salt per 100 g; the pack contains 160 g.
Contains cashew.
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The product title describes roasted, unsalted cashew nuts for snacking or cooking.
The ingredients list states only cashew nuts. The label lists 18.67 g of protein and 0.067 g of salt per 100 g.
Contains cashew nuts.
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The product description suggests eating them straight from the pack.
The ingredients list states 98% cashew, sunflower oil and salt. The label lists 21.0 g of protein and 1.0 g of salt per 100 g.
This is a salted variety.
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The description suggests enjoying them as a snack or as a topping for salads and desserts.
The ingredients list states 99% cashew nuts and salt. The label lists 17.4 g of protein and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g.
Contains salt.
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The description suggests enjoying them as a snack or using them in baking.
The pack contains 500 g. The ingredients list states cashew kernels and salt; the label lists 16.4 g of protein and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g.
Contains salt.
The Dutch Nutrition Centre lists 5.3 g of protein per 25 g of unsalted cashew nuts. This is a general nutritional value; check the label on the exact variety before you buy.
Not necessarily: according to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, recreational athletes generally don’t need special protein products. Consider cashew nuts as part of your overall diet and follow the guidance that’s right for your situation.
Store cashew nuts in a tightly sealed container in a dry place, as advised by the Dutch Nutrition Centre. Also follow the label for your chosen variety; for the pack examined, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a cool, dark, dry place and sealing it carefully after use.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. The products examined contain cashew; Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS also state that other allergens may be present. Don’t assume a variety is suitable without checking the packaging.
No. The NVWA warning of 20 May 2026 concerns 170 g packs of Trader Joe’s unsalted cashew nuts with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026. The warning advises against eating them because they may contain metal fragments. It doesn’t automatically apply to the 250 g roasted pack examined or to all cashew nuts.
