Less fat at lunchtime
You’re looking for a savoury snack for your lunchbox and want to know whether the recipe genuinely contains less fat. A claim about the product’s composition is different from taking a smaller amount of the same snack.
Who might this choice matter to?
Easy to take with you
You want to take coated nuts with you without much preparation. Check the pack weight and the storage instructions once opened.
Dividing into portions
You want to divide a larger bag across several lunches. The pack size, the amount per portion and the information on the packaging can help you decide what suits the way you’ll use it.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking the ingredients and nutritional values per 100 g, and what any nutrition claim means. Then decide how many grams you want to take with you, and check the packaging, storage instructions and allergen information.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who might value this? |
|---|---|---|
| Less fat in the recipe | Compare fat per 100 g and check the evidence for the exact claim on the packaging. | If you’re mainly looking for a different composition, check the nutritional values rather than just the bag size. Around 34% of consumers say a lower-fat recipe is their main consideration. |
| Portion and energy | Compare energy per 100 g, then work it out for the amount you plan to take with you. | If you want to keep eating regular coated nuts but choose your own portion size, start with the amount you plan to have. Around 27% of consumers prioritise portion size and energy. |
| Taking it with you and storage | Check the weight per pack and follow the storage instructions for the exact variety. | A pack that requires little preparation can be handy for a lunchbox. Around 20% of consumers give convenience when taking and storing the product their highest priority. |
| Dividing into portions | Check the net weight and decide how many portions you’ll get from it. | If you want to use a larger bag for several lunches, remember to portion it out yourself and seal it properly. Around 13% of consumers mainly focus on dividing the product into several portions. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact flavour and pack. | If an allergy affects your choice, also check the warning about possible traces before taking something to share. Around 6% of consumers say allergens are their main selection criterion. |
Pitfalls to watch out for with coated nuts
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Mistaking a small bag for a low-fat recipe
A 40 g pack tells you how much is in the bag, not the fat content per 100 g. Duyvis lists 35 g of fat per 100 g for Lay’s Patatje Joppie.
Check the nutritional values per 100 g first, then decide how many grams you want to take with you.
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Comparing fat content alone
Fat, energy and salt are separate nutritional values. So comparing fat alone won’t tell you how the other values compare.
Compare values on the same basis, such as per 100 g, then work them out for the same portion size.
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Assuming allergens are the same across all flavours
Ingredients and allergens can vary between recipes. AH Borrelnoten cocktail lists peanuts, wheat and milk, among other ingredients; Duyvis Lay’s Patatje Joppie also contains mustard.
Check the ingredients and warnings about possible traces for each specific variety. The NVWA explains that allergens present in a product must be clearly identifiable in the ingredients list.
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Using an old product page as a current buying option
The Jumbo page for its 250 g Cocktail Borrelnoten states that the product is no longer available online.
Check the current product listing and packaging. Don’t assume that nutritional values from an older variety also apply to a different pack unless this has been confirmed.
Brands and varieties for reference
Duyvis
A branded range with different flavours and pack sizes, for anyone looking for a specific variety or pack size.
- Duyvis lists Cocktail in 125 g, 275 g, 500 g and 1,000 g packs. For Lay’s Patatje Joppie, the manufacturer lists 40 g and 200 g packs.
- The manufacturer lists 40 g of fat per 100 g for Cocktail and 35 g per 100 g for Lay’s Patatje Joppie. These values apply to the varieties mentioned and don’t substantiate a claim about the entire brand.
Albert Heijn
A retailer’s own-brand option for comparing the pack size and nutritional information of a specific cocktail mix.
- Albert Heijn lists AH Borrelnoten cocktail in a 300 g bag, with a suggested portion size of 25 g. The values per 100 g are 33 g of fat and 532 kcal.
- The product information lists peanuts, wheat and milk, among other ingredients. These ingredients and nutritional values apply to the cocktail variety.
Jumbo
A supermarket own-brand range with different flavours and pack sizes, including Cocktail and Provençaals.
- Jumbo lists packs including 300 g bags and a 500 g Cocktail multipack.
- The older 250 g Cocktail pack is listed on the relevant Jumbo page as no longer available online. Base your choice on the information on the current packaging.
Lidl
A Lidl supermarket listing for coated nuts, useful if you’re looking for this type of product at Lidl.
- Lidl’s official listing confirms that coated nuts are part of its product range.
- Assess a specific variety by checking the nutritional values and ingredients on the packaging, rather than relying on the category or flavour name alone.
ALDI
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s coated nuts in Oriental, Provençale and Cocktail flavours.
- The product listing gives a 300 g pack size and three flavours.
- The flavour or pack size alone says nothing about the fat content. ‘Best-tested own brand’ is an ALDI claim, not an independent assessment of whether the product contains less fat.
PLUS
A retailer’s own-brand option for anyone wanting to check a 300 g bag and the nutritional information for a savoury flavour.
- The PLUS Borrelnoten Ham Kaas listing reviewed gives 33.3 g of fat and 534 kcal per 100 g.
- For this variety, PLUS lists peanuts, wheat and milk as allergens. These details don’t automatically apply to other PLUS flavours.
Coated nuts at Joybuy
These products are regular Duyvis coated nuts with information about portion sizes and pack contents; they are not proven low-fat varieties.
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Duyvis Bran Nuts Provencale, 125 g
The suggested 30 g portions can help you weigh out an amount for your lunchbox.
The nutrition table lists 33 g of fat per 100 g; portioning doesn’t change the fat content of the recipe.
The product information lists peanuts and wheat, and says the product may also contain milk, nuts, soya and mustard.
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Duyvis Cocktail Nuts, 275 g
The product information suggests portions of around 30 g and several portions per pack, making it a good option if you want to portion it out yourself for different lunches.
The nutrition table lists 34 g of fat per 100 g; portion size doesn’t change the product’s composition.
The product information lists peanuts, wheat and milk, and says the product may also contain nuts, soya and mustard.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘reduced fat’ mean the same as ‘low fat’?
No. According to the European Commission, solid foods can contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g to make a ‘low fat’ claim. Claims about a reduced content have separate requirements; a smaller portion doesn’t change the fat content per 100 g.
How do I work out the nutritional values for my lunch portion?
Multiply the value per 100 g by the weight of your portion, then divide by 100. For 25 g of AH Borrelnoten cocktail, 33 g of fat per 100 g works out to 8.25 g of fat; 532 kcal per 100 g works out to 133 kcal. This calculation is based on the product information from Albert Heijn.
How should I store an opened bag between working days?
Follow the instructions on the packaging for your variety. For AH Borrelnoten cocktail, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a cool, dark and dry place, and sealing the pack securely after use.
Can I share coated nuts with a colleague who has a food allergy?
Always check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. AH Borrelnoten cocktail lists peanuts, wheat and milk, among other ingredients; Duyvis Lay’s Patatje Joppie also contains mustard. The NVWA explains that allergens present in a product must be clearly identifiable in the ingredients list.
Are coated nuts the same as unsalted nuts?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes unsalted nuts from coated nuts and lists coated nuts as products outside the Wheel of Five. So don’t treat these product categories as interchangeable.