Carbohydrate-conscious snackers
You want to be able to calculate the carbohydrates in the amount you actually eat. Diabetes.nl highlights the importance of knowing how much carbohydrate you consume.
Who is this guide for?
Those who portion ahead
You take cashews to work or eat them on the go, and want to weigh out a portion in advance rather than treating the whole pack as a snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general guide is a handful of 25 grams of nuts.
Those who choose unsalted
You’re looking for unsalted cashews and want to distinguish between unsalted, unroasted and roasted. These descriptions don’t mean the same thing.
What should you look for when choosing?
Portion out a larger pack yourself
A good fit if: you want to prepare several weighed portions in advance.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to weigh the portions yourself and use the nutrition information for the exact variant.
Take a smaller retail pack with you
A good fit if: a smaller outer pack is practical when you’re out and about, and you can weigh out the amount yourself.
Bear in mind: a smaller pack can still contain several portions.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates per portion | Use the carbohydrate content per 100 g for the exact variant, then calculate the amount for your weighed portion. | If I want to match my carbohydrate intake to what I actually eat, I check both the label and the weight. Around 39% of consumers prioritise this calculation. |
| Amount to take with you | Check the net weight and whether the pack actually contains separate inner sachets. | When I’m out and about, I want to know how many cashews I’m taking, without thinking of the whole bag as one portion. Around 38% of consumers prioritise a pre-measured amount. |
| Unsalted or prepared | Look for the explicit ‘unsalted’ description and check the ingredients and nutrition information for that variant. | If I’m looking for unsalted cashews, I don’t want to confuse ‘roasted’ or ‘without added oil’ with ‘unsalted’. Around 23% of consumers prioritise an unsalted product. |
Common buying mistakes
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Treating a small bag as one snack portion
The 125 and 130-gram packs mentioned each contain five or more 25-gram portions, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general guide for a portion of nuts.
Check the net weight and whether there are any inner sachets. Weigh out the amount you want to take with you; ‘small’ doesn’t tell you how much you’ll eat.
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Using only ‘of which sugars’ in your calculation
When calculating carbohydrates, it’s the total carbohydrate content that matters, not just the amount of sugars listed.
Use the total carbohydrate content for the exact variant and calculate the amount for the weight of your portion.
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Confusing ‘without added oil’ with ‘unsalted’
A description of how a product is prepared doesn’t tell you by itself whether salt has been added. Duyvis describes Cashews Original as oven-roasted without added oil; PLUS lists a tested Oven roasted variant as salted.
Check the preparation method and whether salt has been added separately for the exact variant.
Brands and product range examples for guidance
Albert Heijn
The range includes AH Cashews unsalted, a product name to look for if you want to weigh out your own portions.
- The product name specifies unsalted cashews.
- Check the pack when you buy it: ingredients and nutrition information can change.
Jumbo
The range includes unsalted cashews in retail packs of 130, 200 and 500 grams, among other sizes.
- The different net weights give you options for weighing out portions at home.
- These pack sizes don’t mean that the product comes in separate single-portion sachets.
PLUS
PLUS lists unsalted, unroasted cashews in a 200-gram bag.
- The product name clearly states both ‘unsalted’ and ‘unroasted’.
- You’ll need to weigh out some of the pack yourself if you want to take a smaller amount with you.
ALDI
The Dutch range includes TRADER JOE'S roasted and unsalted cashews in a 250-gram pack.
- The product name specifies both roasted and unsalted.
- Check the exact product name and packaging; features of one variant don’t automatically apply to all cashews.
Lidl
Lidl lists unsalted cashews in a 500-gram pack.
- You can divide the stated quantity into portions to weigh out and take with you.
- The product page says ‘In store only’; this doesn’t confirm local stock.
Duyvis
Duyvis lists Cashews Original in a 125-gram pack. The manufacturer describes this variant as oven-roasted without added oil.
- This pack is smaller than the 200 to 500-gram packs mentioned.
- The preparation description doesn’t prove that the variant is unsalted or comes in separate portion sachets.
Cashews at Joybuy
The Joybuy products below are retail packs of cashews, not confirmed individual portion packs. Check the nutrition information and salt content for each variant, and weigh the amount you want to take with you.
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Jiazhouyuanye Original Flavour large cashews, 160 g
The product description lists cashew kernels as the only ingredient and gives the carbohydrate content per 100 g. Calculate based on the weight you measure out and check the packaging.
Net weight: 160 g.
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g'woon roasted, unsalted cashews, 200 g
The title specifies roasted and unsalted cashews. Check the nutrition information for this variant and weigh out the amount you want to take with you.
Net weight: 200 g.
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Duyvis Dry Roasted cashews, 125 g
This variant contains salt, so it isn’t unsalted. The product description gives the carbohydrate content per 100 g and states 4–5 portions; check the packaging and base your calculation on the weight you eat.
Net weight: 125 g.
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Verse Klassenoten salted cashews, 150 g
The product information lists salt and the carbohydrate content per 100 g. If you’re considering this variant, calculate based on the amount you weigh out and check the current packaging.
Net weight: 150 g.
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Xue Ji Chaohuo salted cashews with skin, 120 g
The product information lists salt and the carbohydrate content per 100 g. Check the details for the exact variant and use the weighed amount in your calculation.
Net weight: 120 g.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate the carbohydrates in your own snack portion?
Multiply the carbohydrate content per 100 grams on the label by the weight of your portion, then divide by 100. Use the nutrition information for the exact variant and the amount you actually eat.
Is 25 grams a recommended portion for everyone with diabetes?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 25 grams as a general guide for a handful of nuts; it isn’t personal advice for managing diabetes. Choose an amount that fits your own dietary plan.
Can you use cashews to treat a hypo?
Don’t replace your agreed hypo treatment with an ordinary cashew snack. Diabeter recommends glucose tablets as a fast-acting option for a hypo; take the treatment you’ve agreed with your care team.
Where should you check for allergens in pre-packed cashews?
Check the label on the exact pack. According to the NVWA, allergen information for pre-packed products must appear on the label; from 1 January 2026, new rules also apply to warnings about allergens that may be present unintentionally.
Which ALDI cashews are covered by the safety warning?
The NVWA warning dated 20 May 2026 applies specifically to 170-gram packs of TRADER JOE'S unsalted cashews, with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026, due to the possible presence of metal fragments. Don’t eat that specific pack; the warning doesn’t automatically apply to all ALDI cashews.