Protein-conscious travellers who exercise
You want to know how much protein a snack adds to your daily diet. Compare equal-sized servings and consider your overall diet; a figure on the label alone says nothing about recovery after exercise.
Who are these options for?
Travellers short on time to shop
You want to bring a snack with you or pick one up on the way. Schiphol confirms that there are two Albert Heijn to-go locations on Plaza, but that doesn’t mean a specific variety of cashew nuts will be in stock.
Shoppers looking for unsalted snacks
You want unsalted cashew nuts and may also be interested in how they’re prepared or what ingredients they contain. The Dutch Nutrition Centre includes unsalted nuts in its Wheel of Five healthy eating guidelines; check the label of the variety you choose.
What should you look for when buying?
First, compare protein per equal-sized serving. Then check the salt and ingredients, and decide how much you want to take with you and where you’ll buy your snack.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per serving | Compare the same quantity. For the varieties listed, Jumbo states 21.5 g, Albert Heijn 19 g and PLUS 18.5 g of protein per 100 g. | If I want to know what my snack adds to my daily diet, I look at the serving as well as the rest of what I eat; around 36% of consumers prioritise protein content. |
| A snack for the journey | Plan where you’ll buy it and choose an amount you’re happy to take with you. A shop at Schiphol doesn’t guarantee that your chosen variety will be available. | Before travelling, I want to know where I can buy my snack and how much to take with me; convenience while travelling is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Salt and ingredients | Read the ingredients and salt content for the exact variety. Unsalted doesn’t mean unroasted or made without oil. | I want to choose carefully between no added salt and a simple ingredients list; around 21% of consumers prioritise salt and ingredients. |
| Packaging and serving size | Compare the net weight with how much you want to eat and take with you. Follow the storage instructions on the pack. | If I don’t need the whole pack, I want to know in advance how much to take and how to seal the rest; around 14% of consumers prioritise packaging and serving size. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming unsalted means unroasted or made without oil
The Jumbo and Albert Heijn unsalted varieties examined contain sunflower oil; the PLUS variety examined is unroasted. So the word ‘unsalted’ doesn’t tell you how the nuts have been prepared.
Decide which feature matters to you, then check the ingredients and preparation method for the exact variety.
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Counting a whole pack as one serving of protein
The packs examined contain more than the 25 g serving used for comparison. A larger serving also provides more energy.
Decide on your serving size in advance and always compare nutritional values on the same basis.
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Assuming a shop at Schiphol guarantees availability
Schiphol confirms that there are Albert Heijn locations on Plaza, but not that a specific variety of cashew nuts is in stock. An extra stop at the shop could take up time without your chosen option being available.
If that particular variety matters to you, bring your preferred snack with you, or check the label of what’s available when you get there.
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Ignoring a batch warning on an old pack
The NVWA warning from May 2026 applies to Trader Joe’s unsalted cashew nuts, 170 g, with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026. The warning concerns that specific batch, not the entire ALDI range.
Do not eat the batch listed. If you have an old pack, check the barcode and best-before date.
Brands to consider
Duyvis
A savoury, roasted option.
- Duyvis describes its Cashews Original as oven-roasted without added oil.
- The salted retail variety examined contains additional flavourings. Check the label of the exact product; the manufacturer’s description is not an independent comparison.
Albert Heijn
An unsalted variety with a stated serving size and nutritional values.
- The product information for AH Unsalted Cashew Nuts 170 g states 19 g of protein per 100 g and a serving size of 25 g.
- The variety is roasted and contains sunflower oil. An Albert Heijn shop at Schiphol doesn’t mean this specific pack will be in stock.
Jumbo
An unsalted variety with a stated protein value you can compare.
- Jumbo states that its Unsalted Cashew Nuts 200 g contain 21.5 g of protein per 100 g.
- The variety listed contains sunflower oil. These nutritional values apply to this product, not to every cashew nut sold under the brand.
Lidl
An unsalted option from the Way To Go! range.
- Lidl describes Way To Go! Cashew Nuts as unsalted and says the nuts are Fairtrade.
- The Fairtrade description says nothing about protein content or recovery after exercise. Check the nutritional information on the pack to compare products.
ALDI
An example of roasted, unsalted cashew nuts in a 250 g pack.
- ALDI lists Trader Joe’s Roasted Unsalted Cashew Nuts 250 g.
- The NVWA warning concerns a different, specific 170 g pack with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026; don’t extend that warning to the entire range.
PLUS
An unsalted, unroasted variety containing cashew nuts as its ingredient.
- PLUS states that its Unsalted Unroasted Cashew Nuts 200 g contain 18.5 g of protein per 100 g.
- The product information notes that it may contain peanuts. Being unroasted and having a short ingredients list don’t prove that it provides more protein or helps with recovery after exercise.
Cashew nuts at Joybuy
These Joybuy products are cashew nuts to take with you, with differences in whether they’re salted or unsalted, how they’re prepared and the pack size.
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Duyvis Dry Roasted Cashews, 125 g
This salted, roasted variety could suit you if you’re looking for a savoury snack; check the label and allergen information on the pack.
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Verse Klassenoten Salted Cashew Nuts, 150 g
Choose this variety only if salted cashew nuts suit your preferences; check the salt content and ingredients on the pack.
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Jiazhouyuanye Original Flavour Large Cashew Nuts, 160 g
An option if you’re looking for cashew nuts with their original flavour; check the ingredients list and serving information for this pack.
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g’woon Roasted Unsalted Cashew Nuts, 200 g
The product name describes the cashew nuts as roasted and unsalted. Check the ingredients and nutritional information if you’re looking for a particular composition.
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Xue Ji Chaohuo Salted Cashew Nuts with Shell, 120 g
This salted variety with its shell on could suit you if that’s what you prefer; check the salt content on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Can cashew nuts replace a complete post-exercise meal?
No. Consider cashew nuts as one contribution to your overall diet, rather than automatically treating them as a complete recovery meal. The Dutch Nutrition Centre says that most people who exercise don’t need special protein shakes or bars if they eat a healthy, varied diet; that doesn’t tell you whether one serving meets your individual needs.
Can I take ordinary cashew nuts in my hand luggage from Schiphol?
Schiphol says that, in principle, you can take anything with you except dangerous or prohibited items; ordinary solid cashew nuts aren’t classed as liquids. The liquid rules may apply to cashew butter or a liquid snack to go with them. This doesn’t tell you whether you’re allowed to bring the nuts into your destination country.
What should I check if I have a food allergy?
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack you plan to buy; details can vary between varieties. The NVWA requires allergen information on prepacked foods and says it must be available before purchase for unpackaged products.
How should I store an opened pack while travelling?
Follow the instructions on the pack for your chosen variety. Albert Heijn recommends resealing the pack after use and storing it in a cool, dark and dry place; PLUS recommends storing it somewhere cool and dry. Keep the product information if you portion some out in advance.
What should I do with an old ALDI pack from the batch covered by the warning?
Do not eat Trader Joe’s unsalted cashew nuts, 170 g, with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026. In May 2026, the NVWA warned of possible metal particles in that specific batch; the fact that the best-before date has passed doesn’t cancel the warning.