Choose unsalted cashews if limiting salt is your priority. If you’re mainly after a savoury snack to enjoy with drinks, compare seasoned varieties for salt and energy per portion too. Check the protein content on the label of the exact product, and think of cashews as part of your daily diet rather than proof that one portion meets your recovery needs. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a 25 g handful of unsalted cashews contains 5.3 g of protein.
You want to know how much protein a portion of cashews provides. Consider this as part of your overall diet; your needs vary and depend, among other things, on how intensely you exercise. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides general nutritional information on this.
You’re looking for cashews without added salt, so you compare ingredients, nutritional values and preparation methods. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes unsalted nuts in its Wheel of Five healthy eating guidelines; unsalted doesn’t automatically mean that no oil has been added.
You want to choose a suitable flavour and quantity, and be able to tell your guests about cashews and any other possible allergens. Keep the packaging nearby so you can check the ingredients and warnings.
First decide what portion you want to serve, then compare nutritional values on the same basis. Next, choose according to salt, flavour, ingredients and the amount you can use and store.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per portion | Compare protein and energy per 100 g, then calculate both for the same portion size. | If you want to weigh up cashews alongside your sports nutrition, consider the contribution from your portion; around 31% of consumers put protein contribution first. |
| Salt and energy | Read the nutritional information and ingredients for the exact variety; unsalted doesn’t rule out added oil. | If you want the salt and energy content to fit your diet, compare the portions shown on the label; around 25% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Flavour and preparation | Check whether the nuts are unroasted, roasted or seasoned, and which flavourings have been added. | For a savoury snack to enjoy with drinks, flavour may matter more than a short ingredients list; around 19% of consumers choose flavour as their main consideration. |
| Pack size and how much you’ll use | Check the net weight and choose an amount you can use and store properly after opening. | If you don’t want to buy more than you need for your gathering, compare the pack size with how much you expect to use; around 13% of consumers put this first. |
| Allergens | Check the current packaging for cashews and any warnings about other allergens. | If any guests have known allergies, check the ingredients and warnings before serving; around 12% of consumers make allergen safety their top priority. |
The Jumbo Unsalted Cashews examined list 21.5 g of protein and 622 kcal per 100 g. For a weighed 25 g portion, that works out at 5.375 g of protein and 155.5 kcal, based on Jumbo’s label values.
Calculate protein and energy for the same portion size, then consider their contribution as part of your overall diet.
Duyvis describes Cashews Original as oven-roasted without added oil. The nutritional information for the Duyvis variety examined lists 49 g of fat and 1.5 g of salt per 100 g.
Read the nutritional information alongside the preparation details and check which variety is shown on the packaging.
A similar name alone doesn’t tell you whether the ingredients and nutritional values relate to the same variety of cashews. This matters if you’re checking protein, salt or allergens.
Compare the full product name, ingredients and nutritional information for the product you’re ordering.
Another variety may contain different ingredients or have different allergen warnings, so it may not be suitable for every guest.
Cashews Original is a savoury, oven-roasted cashew variety in a 125 g pack.
According to Albert Heijn, the 170 g pack of AH Unsalted Cashews examined contains cashews and sunflower oil.
The 200 g pack of Jumbo Unsalted Cashews examined contains sunflower oil.
Lidl describes a 500 g pack of unsalted cashews, available in store only.
ALDI sells the TRADER JOE'S roasted, unsalted cashews examined in a 250 g pack.
PLUS Unsalted Unroasted Cashews 200 g is a variety with cashews as its only ingredient.
These Joybuy products offer different cashew varieties for a drinks board; compare the nutritional values and ingredients listed with your portion size and preferences.
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A dry-roasted variety to compare if you’re looking for a savoury cashew snack to enjoy with drinks.
Per 100 g: 18 g of protein, 586 kcal and 0.92 g of salt. The product information notes that it may contain peanuts, gluten and wheat.
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A salted variety to consider if you’re looking for a savoury flavour to serve with drinks.
The ingredients list includes cashews, sunflower oil and salt. The product table lists 21.0 g of protein and 1.0 g of salt per 100 g.
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A roasted, unsalted variety to compare if you’re looking to avoid added salt.
The ingredients list includes cashews only. The product table lists 18.67 g of protein and 0.067 g of salt per 100 g.
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The 500 g pack is an option to compare if you’re looking for cashews for a larger drinks board.
The product table lists 16.4 g of protein and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g. The ingredients list includes cashew kernels and salt.
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A salted variety with the skin on to include in your comparison if you’re looking for a savoury snack to enjoy with drinks.
The product table lists 16.1 g of protein and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g. The ingredients list includes cashews and salt.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a 25 g handful of unsalted cashews contains 5.3 g of protein. The value on a specific product label may differ; PLUS, for example, lists 18.5 g per 100 g, which works out at 4.625 g in a 25 g portion.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, recreational exercisers don’t need special protein shakes or bars. Start by looking at your usual diet; the balance may be different if you exercise very intensely or can’t easily fit in a full meal.
Follow the instructions on the packaging for your product. For the unsalted cashews examined, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a cool, dark and dry place and closing the pack securely after use; don’t assume this advice applies to every variety.
Cashews are an allergen, so ask about known allergies and check the current packaging. The NVWA requires clear allergen information on prepacked foods; also check for any warnings about other nuts, peanuts or wheat, for example.
The NVWA warning issued on 20 May 2026 applied only to Trader Joe’s 170 g pack of unsalted cashews with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026. Do not eat the product in that pack; this warning doesn’t automatically apply to other pack sizes or products.
