Parents putting together small snack bags
You want to include a modest amount of cashew nuts and calculate the energy based on the number of grams in each bag. A small portion doesn’t make the nuts themselves low in calories.
Who is this relevant to?
Parents handing out treats to a class
First, check your school’s rules and any relevant allergies. Schools may have their own rules about nuts; OBS De Venen is one example of a school that publishes a policy on nuts and peanuts.
Parents of young children
The shape of the food and your child’s eating skills are important when making your choice. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts to children under 4 and recommends that children sit calmly while eating.
What should you look for when choosing?
PLUS product listings state 598 kcal per 100 g, while Albert Heijn and Jumbo each list 622 kcal per 100 g for the unsalted products reviewed. Compare nutritional values per 100 g, then weigh out the amount for each bag.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per bag | Compare kcal per 100 g and weigh the portion; calculate kcal per bag as kcal per 100 g × grams per bag ÷ 100. | If my main aim is to reduce the energy in each bag, I weigh out the contents; around 26% of consumers say energy per filled bag is their top priority when buying. |
| Allergies and school rules | Ask the school about its rules and read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the pack you choose. | When handing out treats to a class, I want to know whether they comply with school rules and known allergy restrictions; around 26% of consumers prioritise suitability for the group. |
| Age and how the food is eaten | Consider the child’s age and eating skills; make sure children sit calmly while eating. | If the children are young, I first consider the shape of the food and when they’ll eat it; around 21% of consumers say age and eating safely are their main considerations. |
| Unsalted and ingredients | Read the ingredients and check the salt content separately from the energy value. | When I’m looking for an unsalted product with a simple ingredients list, I check both on the label; around 16% of consumers put this above their other purchasing priorities. |
| Quantity and storage | Calculate the total as the number of bags × grams per bag and follow the storage instructions on the pack. | When preparing several equally filled bags, I plan how much I’ll need and how to store any leftovers; around 11% of consumers prioritise preparation and pack size. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming unsalted means low in calories
A product can be unsalted and still contain a lot of energy per 100 g. The unsalted products reviewed list 598 or 622 kcal per 100 g.
Assess salt and energy separately. Weigh the amount for each bag and calculate the energy based on the label.
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Buying a large stock before checking the school’s rules
A school may have its own rules about nuts and treats. Check what’s allowed in advance and take any known allergy restrictions into account.
If the treat isn’t allowed, you could be left with some of your stock.
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Including whole nuts without considering age and when they’ll be eaten
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts to children under 4. Older children can also choke on them.
Consider the child’s age and eating skills, and make sure children sit calmly while eating, with appropriate supervision.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The AH Cashew Nuts Unsalted product reviewed comes in a 170 g pack and can be weighed out as needed.
- Albert Heijn lists 96% cashew nuts, sunflower oil and 622 kcal per 100 g for this product.
- This unsalted variety is not low in calories; the label warns that it may contain peanuts and other nuts.
Jumbo
Jumbo Unsalted Cashew Nuts 200 g is an unsalted variety with nutritional information for weighed portions.
- Jumbo lists 99% cashew nuts, sunflower oil and 622 kcal per 100 g.
- The pack warns that it may contain other nuts and peanuts; check the allergen information for the people receiving them.
PLUS
The PLUS Unsalted Unroasted Cashew Nuts 200 g product reviewed may be suitable if you’re looking for unroasted cashew nuts with a simple ingredients list.
- PLUS lists cashew nuts as the ingredient and 598 kcal per 100 g.
- The listing warns that the product may contain peanuts. This unroasted variety is not low in calories and isn’t automatically suitable for someone with a nut allergy.
Duyvis
Duyvis describes Cashews Original as oven-roasted, savoury and made without added oil.
- Duyvis provides this description of its own preparation method, which may be useful if you’re looking for a roasted, savoury variety.
- Made without added oil doesn’t mean unsalted or low in calories. The Duyvis Oven Roasted Cashews Salted listing reviewed at AH includes salt and flavouring ingredients.
Aldi
The ALDI product listing describes Trader Joe’s Roasted Unsalted Cashew Nuts in a 250 g pack.
- The product listing confirms the roasted, unsalted variety and pack size.
- This product information doesn’t provide a basis for concluding that it has fewer calories than other cashew nuts.
Lidl
Lidl has a Dutch product listing for unsalted cashew nuts.
- The product listing confirms that these are unsalted cashew nuts.
- The product listing doesn’t substantiate a calorie advantage, individual portion packs or suitability for people with allergies.
Cashew nuts at Joybuy
These Joybuy products are cashew nuts for treat bags you put together yourself. Check each pack to see whether the salted or unsalted variety is right for you. Also ask the school about its rules and take allergies into account. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts to children under 4.
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Jiazhouyuanye Original Flavour Large Cashew Nuts, 160 g
A pack you can weigh out yourself for treat bags; the product name states 160 g.
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g'woon Cashew Nuts Roasted & Unsalted, 200 g
This roasted, unsalted variety is an option if you want to decide how much goes in each bag. The product name states 200 g.
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Verse Klassenoten Salted Cashew Nuts, 150 g
You can portion out this salted variety yourself if salt suits your choice. The product name states 150 g.
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Duyvis Dry Roasted Cashews, 125 g
A dry-roasted variety you can weigh out yourself if a savoury flavour and salt suit your choice. The product name states 125 g.
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Be&Cheery Cashews with Purple Skin, 180 grade, 500 g
You can divide the pack between several bags and weigh out each portion yourself; the product name states 500 g and 180 grade.
Frequently asked questions
Can a small bag of cashew nuts be described as ‘low in calories’?
No. A small portion on its own isn’t enough to justify this nutrition claim. According to the European Commission, solid foods must contain no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g to carry the ‘low energy’ claim. It’s better to describe the weighed amount and the calculated energy per bag.
Are whole cashew nuts suitable as a treat for a toddler?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts to children under 4. A different form still contains cashew, so it isn’t an alternative for anyone who needs to avoid cashew because of an allergy.
What does ‘may contain’ mean on a label?
It’s a warning about possible cross-contamination, not the same as listing an ingredient. Since 1 January 2026, the NVWA has checked the rules for allergen warnings on prepacked products during inspections. Cashew listed as an ingredient remains a separate concern for anyone with a cashew allergy.
How should I store cashew nuts after filling the bags?
Store any leftover nuts in a cool, dry place in a tightly sealed container, and follow the instructions on the original pack. For the pack reviewed, Albert Heijn advises storing it in a cool, dark, dry place and closing it securely after use.
Does the ALDI warning from May 2026 apply to all cashew nuts?
No. The NVWA warning concerned 170 g packs of Trader Joe’s Unsalted Cashew Nuts with a best-before date of 23-09-2026, due to possible metal fragments. That date has now passed; the warning isn’t a general statement about other packs or batches. If you still have that specific pack, don’t eat the contents.