If you want to eat less fat, choose a variety of coated peanuts only when its claim and comparison basis are clear: ‘oven roasted’ does not, by itself, prove that the product contains less fat. Albert Heijn lists the historic Duyvis Oven Roasted Sweet Paprika as discontinued, so when considering a coated peanut snack now, compare the nutritional information on the exact pack and keep an eye on your portion, salt and allergens too.
You want to keep eating coated peanuts, but are looking for a demonstrably lower fat content and want to know what the claim is compared with. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that ‘light’ can refer to less energy, fat or sugar, so check which characteristic the pack compares.
You want to keep track of how much you eat while having drinks. Compare the energy content for the same portion size and decide in advance how much to serve; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 133 kcal as a general category value for a 25 g handful of coated peanuts.
You’re buying for several people and taking allergens, salt, pack size and storing leftovers into account. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority emphasises that allergen information must be available before purchase.
First compare the claim and nutritional information for the exact variety. Then choose a portion and pack size to suit your group.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Less fat | Check the precise claim, what it is compared with and the fat per 100 g. According to the European Commission, a solid food product can contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g to carry the ‘low fat’ claim. | If I want to keep eating coated peanuts, I’m looking for a clear comparison for that specific type of product. Around 33% of consumers put a demonstrable reduction in fat first. |
| Energy and portion size | Compare kcal per 100 g and calculate the amount for the same portion size you plan to serve. | If I mainly want to keep an eye on how much I eat while having drinks, I look at the energy content of my own portion. Around 27% of consumers make energy and portion size their top priority. |
| Salt | Check the salt per 100 g for the exact flavour; ‘mild’ does not, by itself, tell you how much salt it contains. | If salt is the deciding factor for me, I compare the nutritional information for the variety I’ve chosen. Around 14% of consumers put salt content first. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and highlighted allergens on the exact pack. If you’re buying unpackaged snacks on a terrace, ask about allergen information before you buy. | If I’m buying for someone with an allergy, I first check whether they can eat that specific variety. Around 13% of consumers give suitability for people with allergies top priority. |
| Packaging and storage | Choose a net weight that suits the number of people eating, and follow the storage instructions on the pack once it’s open. | If I’m buying for a group, I want to have enough to serve and know how to store any leftovers. Around 13% of consumers put practical group shopping first. |
A description of how a product is prepared doesn’t automatically tell you how much fat the finished product contains. Duyvis describes its regular Oven Baked Peanuts as roasted without added oil or fat; that doesn’t prove that the total fat content is lower.
Check the nutritional information and the exact claim. Treat regular roasted peanuts and coated peanuts as different types of product.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘light’ can refer to less energy, fat or sugar. A claim about one of these characteristics doesn’t automatically tell you what has changed in the others.
Compare the kcal for the same quantity and decide in advance how much to put in the bowl.
‘Mild’ doesn’t tell you how much salt a variety contains. A lower-fat claim, if there is one, doesn’t tell you anything about allergens either.
Check the salt and ingredients on the pack for the exact flavour, especially if you’re buying for other people.
Useful for understanding the difference between coated peanuts, a historic lower-fat variety and regular roasted peanuts.
AH Borrelnoten cocktail 300 g is a regular option with published nutritional information.
Jumbo Borrelnoten Cocktail 300 g lists nutritional information per 100 g and per portion.
Lidl’s product information describes coated peanuts in several varieties.
Aldi’s product page lists Trader Joe’s coated peanuts in several flavours.
PLUS Borrelnoten Mild 300 g is a regular option with nutritional and allergen information.
No. According to the European Commission, the ‘low fat’ claim for solid foods means no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that ‘light’ can refer to at least 30% less energy, fat or sugar than a standard product. Check which characteristic and comparison are stated on the pack.
No, the method of preparation doesn’t prove that. Duyvis describes Oven Baked Peanuts Original as roasted without added oil or fat, but that doesn’t, by itself, tell you how much total fat or energy the product contains. Check the nutritional information for the exact variety.
Weigh the portion and multiply the value per 100 g by the portion weight divided by 100. Use the same portion size when comparing different products; the information on a pack doesn’t automatically reflect how much you serve yourself.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for unpackaged food in the hospitality sector must also be available before purchase. The information can be given verbally if there’s a clearly visible notice saying you can ask for it.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack for the variety you’ve bought. The historic product information for Duyvis Oven Roasted Sweet Paprika recommended storing it in a light- and airtight container; that advice doesn’t automatically apply to every variety of coated peanuts.
No, don’t assume they are. Albert Heijn and PLUS product information warns that young children can choke on peanuts or nuts. A lower-fat claim, if there is one, doesn’t change that warning.
