Choose coated peanuts for a games night based on flavour and portion size, and assess their protein contribution separately using the nutrition information and the amount you actually eat. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, most people who exercise and eat a healthy, varied diet do not need special protein shakes or bars; a snack to share is not, in itself, proof of any recovery benefit.
You want something to snack on during the game and to see how your portion contributes to your overall protein intake. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises people who exercise to look at their diet as a whole.
You’re choosing flavours and pack sizes to suit your guests, and want to know how to store any leftovers. The product ranges mentioned come in different flavours and packaging.
You check the ingredients and warnings for each flavour, as allergen information can vary between varieties. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that allergen information for pre-packed products must be shown on the label.
Start with why you’re buying the snack: the protein in your own portion, sharing with your guests, the overall nutritional profile, or whether it’s suitable for a guest with an allergy.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein contribution | Compare protein and energy using the same basis on the label, and calculate it for the portion you actually eat. | If you want to know how your snack contributes to your overall diet after exercise, the amount you eat is what matters. Around 36% of consumers put protein contribution first. |
| Flavour and sharing | Check the exact flavour and pack size, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. | For a games night, choose a flavour and quantity that suit your guests. Around 29% of consumers give sharing and flavour top priority. |
| Portion and nutritional profile | Check the full nutrition table, including energy, fat and salt, and note the quantity the figures are based on. | If you’re not choosing on flavour alone, the full table helps you consider the portion in the context of your diet. Around 21% of consumers focus mainly on the overall nutritional profile and portion size. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and warnings about possible traces on the label for the flavour you’ve chosen. | If a guest has a relevant allergy, the exact variety can make all the difference; a flavour name doesn’t give you the full allergen information. Around 14% of consumers put suitability for a guest first when choosing. |
A nutrition statement about a product’s contents is not the same as evidence that it helps with recovery. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority also distinguishes between nutrition claims and health claims for high-protein products.
Check the nutrition table and consider your own dietary needs. Don’t treat a general protein statement as proof on its own that the snack will speed up your recovery.
Ingredients and warnings can vary by flavour. For example, Duyvis lists milk as an ingredient in Cocktail, while for Provencale it is listed as a possible trace.
Check the current packaging for every flavour you serve, especially if a guest has a relevant allergy.
A larger pack may contain more than your guests will eat during the evening.
Choose an amount that suits your plans, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging once it’s open.
Duyvis lists flavours including Cocktail and Provencale; the brand offers Cocktail in several pack sizes.
Albert Heijn lists AH Borrelnoten cocktail as its own-brand product in this snack category.
Jumbo describes Jumbo Borrelnoten Cocktail 300 g as peanuts with a crunchy dough coating.
PLUS lists Borrelnoten Mild in a 300 g bag.
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s Borrelnoten in oriental, provençale and cocktail flavours, in 300 g packs.
Lidl describes Alesto as a range that includes nuts, dried fruit and party snacks.
Usually not. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that most people who exercise and eat a healthy, varied diet get enough protein without special protein shakes or bars. So consider your diet as a whole, rather than just this snack.
According to the Association of Sports Nutrition Experts Netherlands, protein is important after intense exercise, especially if you’ll be exercising again soon. That doesn’t mean a bag of coated peanuts will automatically provide everything you need for recovery.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you’ve chosen. PLUS Borrelnoten Mild and Jumbo Borrelnoten Cocktail advise storing them in a cool, dry, dark place. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends storing nuts in a dry place in a tightly sealed container.
No. Check the ingredients and warnings on the current packaging. Duyvis Cocktail lists milk as an ingredient, while Provencale lists milk as a possible trace; both varieties contain peanuts and wheat.
