The cashews reviewed are not a low-calorie choice: their stated nutritional values are well above the legal threshold for a ‘low energy’ claim of no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for solid foods (Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006; EUR-Lex and the NVWA). Choose based on how much you actually eat, then compare salt, ingredients and preparation. Unsalted or made without added oil does not mean low in calories.
Who are these choices relevant to?
People who enjoy a drink and want to manage portions
You want to keep enjoying cashews, but know in advance how much energy is in your own bowl. Compare the same quantity by weight in grams, rather than looking only at the packaging or preparation method.
Fans of unsalted nuts
You’re looking for cashews without added salt and want to distinguish between unroasted, roasted and savoury seasoned varieties. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes unsalted nuts in its Wheel of Five; that doesn’t mean a product is low in calories.
Hosts stocking up for a gathering
You’re buying for several guests and want a pack that suits how you’ll use it, clear allergen information and storage instructions for any leftovers.
What should you look for when choosing?
First weigh the portion you plan to serve; then compare the nutritional values and packaging of the exact variety.
| What to consider |
What to look for |
Most relevant to |
| Energy in your portion |
Compare kcal per 100 g and calculate: label value × grams eaten ÷ 100. Weigh the amount you serve. |
If you want to know how much energy you’re serving yourself, weighing the portion is more helpful than simply looking at the bag. Around 36% of consumers prioritise the energy in a portion. |
| Salt and preparation |
Read both the ingredients list and the salt content; assess the energy content separately. |
If you’re looking for unsalted nuts, you’ll also want to know whether oil or seasoning has been added. Around 29% of consumers prioritise salt and ingredients. |
| Packaging and leftovers |
Choose a pack size that matches how much you expect to use and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. |
When shopping for several guests, you’ll want a size you can use and store any leftovers properly. Around 21% of consumers prioritise buying a suitable amount. |
| Suitable for your guests |
Check the allergen information and warnings for the exact variety. If there’s a safety warning, check the product, packaging and best-before date. |
If you’re serving cashews to guests, you’ll want to consider their needs and any product warnings. Around 14% of consumers prioritise guest safety. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming unsalted or made without added oil means low in calories
These terms describe the salt content or preparation, not the total energy. The label values reviewed are well above the threshold for a ‘low calorie’ claim.
Check the kcal per 100 g on the label and assess it separately from the preparation description.
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Giving too much weight to a small difference on the label
For a 25 g portion, the calculated difference between 598 and 624 kcal per 100 g is just 6.5 kcal. A different portion size could make more of a difference than this comparison.
First compare equal weights, then decide how much you actually want to serve.
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Treating a large pack as a single serving for a gathering
A bulk pack of, for example, 250 or 500 g is not a recommended portion. Leftovers also need to be stored carefully.
Spoon the amount you want into a separate bowl and seal the rest of the pack securely.
Brands and relevant varieties
Duyvis
Duyvis Cashews Original is a savoury, oven-roasted variety in a 125 g pack. Duyvis says it is made without added oil.
- A good fit if you’re looking for seasoned cashews; the manufacturer lists 604 kcal and 1.5 g of salt per 100 g.
- Made without added oil doesn’t mean unsalted or low in calories. These are manufacturer-provided figures, not the result of an independent test.
Albert Heijn
The AH Unsalted Cashews reviewed come in a 170 g pack and are cashews roasted in sunflower oil.
- The label lists 0 g of salt per 100 g and provides allergen information.
- These ingredients and nutritional values apply to this variety and not automatically to other AH cashew products.
Jumbo
The unsalted 200 g and 500 g packs reviewed contain cashews and sunflower oil.
- Both labels list 622 kcal per 100 g; the different pack sizes can help you choose how much to stock up on.
- For these varieties, the larger pack doesn’t have a lower energy value per 100 g.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands lists unsalted cashews in a 500 g pack.
- An option if you’re looking for a larger pack of unsalted cashews.
- Check the nutritional information on the exact pack if you want to compare energy content.
ALDI
Under the TRADER JOE'S brand, ALDI lists roasted, unsalted cashews in a 250 g pack.
- A relevant option if you’re looking for roasted, unsalted cashews.
- The NVWA warning applies only to a separate 170 g pack with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026, not to all ALDI cashews.
PLUS
The 200 g varieties reviewed are unsalted and unroasted, and unsalted Fairtrade cashews with sunflower oil.
- The labels list 598 and 624 kcal per 100 g respectively; the unroasted variety lists cashews as its ingredient.
- Fairtrade and unroasted are different product features; neither makes a variety low in calories in itself.
Cashews at Joybuy
These product picks are cashews for get-togethers, with a range of preparation methods and ingredients.
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Jiazhouyuanye Original Flavour Large Cashew Nuts 160 g
The product information lists cashews as an ingredient and 604 kcal per 100 g. Weigh your portion to calculate the energy in the amount you serve.
View at Joybuy
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Duyvis Dry Roasted Cashews 125 g
This roasted variety is a good fit if you’re looking for savoury cashews; Joybuy lists 586 kcal per 100 g. Check the nutritional information on the pack of the variety you receive.
View at Joybuy
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Verse Klassenoten salted cashew nuts 150 g
The product information lists 679 kcal and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g; compare these values with your portion and the ingredients you’re looking for.
View at Joybuy
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g'woon roasted, unsalted cashews 200 g
For this variety, the product information lists 596 kcal and 0.067 g of salt per 100 g. The words ‘roasted’ and ‘unsalted’ don’t in themselves tell you how many calories are in your portion.
View at Joybuy
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Xue Ji Chaohuo salted cashews with skins 120 g
The product information lists 596 kcal and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g. Check that the salted ingredients suit your preference and calculate based on the amount you serve.
View at Joybuy
Frequently asked questions
Can these cashews be described as ‘low calorie’?
No, not based on the label values reviewed. For solid foods, a ‘low energy’ claim is limited to 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g; this threshold is set out in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EUR-Lex lists the regulation as in force, and the NVWA explains the requirements for claims in the Netherlands.
Is 25 g a required serving of cashews?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses 25 g as a handful in its nutritional table for unsalted cashews. Use this as a comparison amount, then calculate the energy in the quantity you actually eat.
What allergen information should I check for my gathering?
Check the ingredients and warnings on the exact pack, including information about cashews and any possible cross-contamination. The NVWA says allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products.
What does the ALDI warning mean for cashews?
The NVWA warning issued on 20 May 2026 concerns 170 g packs of TRADER JOE'S unsalted cashews with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026, due to possible metal fragments. Do not eat the affected pack, even if the best-before date has passed. The warning does not apply to all ALDI cashews.
Are whole cashews suitable for young children?
The AH and PLUS labels reviewed warn that young children may choke on nuts. Bear this warning and the intended audience in mind when serving them.