None of the cashews compared here are low in calories under the EU threshold for this claim. The European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g for the ‘low energy’ claim on solid foods, while PLUS lists 598 kcal and AH and Jumbo list 622 kcal per 100 g. So pay attention to the energy content of the amount you actually pack, and compare ingredients and salt as well. If children or people with allergies will be eating them, also check the form they come in and the allergen information.
You want to include cashews in your holiday lunch, but you’d like to know how much energy they’ll actually add. Weighing out a portion and comparing like-for-like nutrition information matter more than simply looking for words such as unsalted or roasted.
You’re choosing food for a family that includes children. You’ll want to consider a suitable portion, allergens and an appropriate form to eat; children’s energy needs vary, so a low-calorie lunch isn’t automatically the answer.
You want cashews that are easy to take with you and portion at home, or perhaps you’d rather pack small bags. The packaging and how well it can be resealed after opening both affect how practical it is. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing nuts in a dry place in a well-sealed container.
Start with the amount you want to pack. Then compare the nutrition information per 100 g and check the ingredients, salt and any allergen information on the label of the variety you choose.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy in your portion | Compare kcal per 100 g and work out the figure for the amount you’re packing. | If I want to know how much energy is in my lunch portion, I don’t just look at the size of the bag. Around 36% of consumers say the energy content of their portion is their main concern. |
| Ingredients and salt | Check whether oil or a flavouring mix has been added, and read the salt information separately. | If I mainly want to know what else is in the product besides cashews, I compare the ingredients and salt separately from the calories. Around 29% of consumers give ingredients and salt the most weight. |
| Eating safely | Read the allergen and precautionary information, and consider whether the form is suitable for everyone eating them. | If a child or someone with an allergy will be eating them, I first want to know whether the product and its form are suitable. Around 21% of consumers put eating safely first. |
| Packaging and storage | Check the pack weight, whether it contains individual bags and the storage advice. | If I’m packing something to eat on the go, I want to know whether I’ll need to weigh out a portion myself and how to store the rest. Around 14% of consumers prioritise convenient packaging and storage. |
These words describe different properties. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list 622 kcal per 100 g for their unsalted varieties; the PLUS variety, which lists only cashews as an ingredient, contains 598 kcal per 100 g.
Check energy, ingredients and salt separately, and compare the nutrition information on the same basis.
A lower figure per portion may be because the stated portion is smaller, not because the product contains less energy per 100 g.
First compare the figures per 100 g, then work them out for the same portion weight.
Children’s energy needs vary. Whole nuts can also pose a choking risk for young children, so calories aren’t the only thing to consider.
Choose an amount and form that are suitable for the people eating them. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre emphasises that children’s energy needs vary.
A large pack isn’t a portion pack. You’ll need to reseal the rest properly and keep it somewhere dry.
Divide up the amount you’ll need for lunch in advance, and follow the storage advice on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing nuts in a dry place in a well-sealed container.
Duyvis describes Cashews Original as oven-roasted without added oil.
AH Unsalted Cashews are an option if you’re looking for a roasted variety with no added salt.
Jumbo Unsalted Cashews are available in 200 g and 500 g packs.
Lidl lists unsalted cashews in a 500 g pack, an unsalted and unroasted variety in a 200 g pack, and a multipack of 3 x 25 g.
ALDI lists TRADER JOE’S Roasted Unsalted Cashews in a 250 g pack.
PLUS Unsalted Unroasted Cashews are an option if you’re looking for a simple ingredients list.
This selection includes oven-roasted cashews with a savoury flavour, a variety made with cashew kernels as the ingredient, and roasted cashews with no added salt.
No image available
A good fit if you’re looking for savoury, oven-roasted cashews; the product information lists 4–5 portions per pack.
The flavouring mix contains salt and sugar components. The allergen information lists cashew, peanut, gluten and wheat. Reseal the pack securely after opening.
No image available
A good fit if you’re looking for cashew kernels as the only ingredient for lunch or a snack.
The product information lists 100% cashew kernels and 604 kcal per 100 g. Keep the pack sealed after opening; cashews are tree nuts.
No image available
A good fit if you’re looking for roasted cashews with no added salt; the ingredients list names cashews only.
The product information lists 596 kcal per 100 g and advises keeping the pack tightly closed and dry after opening.
Not simply because the bag is small. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for the EU ‘low energy’ claim. So describe a weighed portion in terms of its calculated energy content, rather than automatically calling it a low-calorie product.
No. A portion shown on a label isn’t an individual dietary recommendation. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre emphasises that children’s energy needs vary, including according to age, so don’t use the product’s portion size as an instruction to give your child less to eat.
First consider whether whole nuts are a suitable form to eat, as product suppliers warn that young children can choke on nuts. Choosing an unsalted variety or a small pack doesn’t change that risk.
It’s a precautionary statement indicating that the product may contain peanuts unintentionally. From 1 January 2026, new rules apply in the Netherlands to these warnings on pre-packed foods. The NVWA lists wording such as ‘May contain X’ and ‘Not suitable for people with an X allergy’. If you have an allergy, read the current label and distinguish between ingredients present in the product and possible cross-contamination.
No. The NVWA warning dated 20 May 2026 concerned TRADER JOE’S Unsalted Cashews, 170 g, barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026, due to possible metal fragments. The advice was not to eat those cashews. The warning doesn’t apply to the entire range, but a recalled pack isn’t safe just because its best-before date has now passed.
