Shoppers who pay attention to portion size
You want to serve a weighed-out portion of coated peanuts after school and distinguish between fewer calories per portion and a product that genuinely meets the criteria for a low-calorie claim.
Who is this guide for?
Shoppers looking for an everyday snack
You want to consider nutritional quality when choosing something for after school, rather than looking only at the calorie count or a product claim.
Shoppers concerned about age or allergens
Your choice may depend on a peanut allergy, other allergens or young children sharing the snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against whole nuts and peanuts for children under 4 because of the risk of choking.
What should you look for when buying?
A measured portion of coated peanuts
Choose this when: you specifically want a seasoned, crunchy snack and peanuts are suitable given any allergy requirements and the rules at the place where they’ll be eaten.
Bear in mind: a smaller portion doesn’t change the product’s composition or its eligibility for a claim. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 133 kcal per 25 g as an example for this product category, not as a recommended portion for children.
A different everyday snack
Choose this when: the nutritional quality of an everyday snack matters more than the particular flavour and texture of coated peanuts. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests vegetables, fruit, unsalted nuts and wholemeal bread, among other options.
Bear in mind: an alternative won’t offer the same seasoned, crunchy snacking experience. Whole nuts are also unsuitable for children under 4.
Compare varieties on the same weight basis, and check the packaging, ingredients and where the snack will be eaten.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who might this matter more to? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Compare kcal per 100 g and calculate the value for the actual weight you’ve measured out; use the nutritional information for the exact variety. | If I want to give a smaller amount after school, I want to know how much energy that portion contains. Around 39% of consumers prioritise the energy content of a portion. |
| Everyday food choices | As well as energy, check salt and ingredients, and distinguish between a snack and an everyday option. | When I’m looking for something for every school day, I want to consider nutritional quality more broadly than just kcal. Around 23% of consumers prioritise this everyday consideration. |
| Allergens and age | Check the allergen information on the packaging and the rules at the school or childcare setting; peanuts and tree nuts are separate allergen categories. | If allergens, young children or rules at a particular location are a factor, suitability must come before flavour and calories. Around 23% of consumers prioritise suitability and safety. |
| Portioning and storage | Check the net weight and the storage and use-by instructions; the contents of a bag aren’t a recommended portion. | For anyone who wants to portion snacks in advance and store them, practicality is the key consideration. Around 15% of consumers prioritise this. |
Common buying mistakes
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Confusing a small portion with a low-calorie product
A smaller amount contains less energy than a larger amount of the same product, but that doesn’t make the product itself low in calories.
Compare the nutritional information for the exact variety per 100 g, then use the amount you actually weigh out to work out the value for your portion.
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Treating one product feature as a complete nutritional assessment
Duyvis says its Borrelnootjes Provencale are made without artificial colourings. That alone says nothing about their energy content. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that a nutrition claim doesn’t automatically make a product healthy.
Consider energy, salt and ingredients alongside individual claims, and think about how often you plan to serve the snack.
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Forgetting about peanuts when looking for a nut-free option
Peanuts and tree nuts are separate allergen categories. A peanut allergy can cause severe reactions.
Check the allergen information on the packaging. If you’re taking the snack to school or childcare, ask about the rules at that specific setting.
Brands and retailers as a reference
Duyvis
Duyvis describes its Borrelnootjes Provencale as peanuts with a crunchy coating and onion and garlic flavour.
- The flavour and product format are described by the manufacturer.
- The ‘without artificial colourings’ statement doesn’t prove that the product is low in calories or suitable as an everyday snack.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists AH Borrelnoten cocktail as one of its own-label products.
- A specific own-label variety to compare by product name and label.
- Albert Heijn advises checking the packaging, as ingredients and nutritional values can change; no calorie advantage over other varieties has been established.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes Borrelnoten Cocktail 300 g as peanuts with a crunchy dough coating.
- The product description gives the pack size and product type.
- The product description doesn’t substantiate a lower calorie content than that of the other listed varieties.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands lists coated peanuts as part of its range.
- Lidl is a retailer included as a point of reference in this comparison.
- This listing doesn’t provide a basis for a specific nutritional or calorie comparison.
ALDI
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s Borrelnoten in 300 g bags, in bacon and cheese, poesta or paprika flavours.
- The product listing gives the pack size and flavour options; Trader Joe’s is the product brand shown.
- The packaging and flavour options don’t show that this variety contains less energy or is suitable as an everyday snack for children.
PLUS
PLUS lists Borrelnoten Ham Kaas as an own-label variety in a 300 g bag.
- The product page shows Nutri-Score C and states that the product is vegetarian.
- Nutri-Score C doesn’t prove that the variety is low in calories.
Joybuy product selection
The product featured below is Duyvis Borrelnootjes Provencale, for anyone specifically looking for a crunchy snack with onion and garlic flavour.
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Duyvis Borrelnootjes Provencale 275 g
For anyone specifically looking for peanuts with a crunchy coating and onion and garlic flavour; the stated energy content means this isn’t a low-calorie choice.
Contains 50% peanuts.
Stated energy: 542 kcal per 100 g. According to the European Commission, solid foods must contain no more than 40 kcal per 100 g to qualify for the ‘low energy’ claim.
Stated salt content: 1,3 g per 100 g.
Contains peanuts and wheat; may also contain milk, tree nuts, soya and mustard.
Keep the packaging closed after opening.
Frequently asked questions
When can a product be described as low in calories?
For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for the ‘low energy’ claim. This is a requirement for using the claim, not a recommended portion for a child. So a smaller portion of coated peanuts doesn’t automatically meet that requirement.
Is 25 g of coated peanuts a recommended portion for every schoolchild?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses 25 g as an example quantity in general nutritional information for coated peanuts, not as a personal portion recommendation. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, how much a child can eat between meals depends, among other things, on their age and sex.
Can children under 4 eat coated peanuts?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving children under 4 whole nuts or peanuts because of the risk of choking. It suggests bread with nut butter that has no added sugar or salt as an alternative; be sure to take any allergies into account.
Are peanuts the same as tree nuts on an allergen label?
No. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) lists peanuts and tree nuts as separate allergen categories. The Food Allergy Foundation explains that peanuts are legumes and that a peanut allergy can cause severe reactions. Always check the allergen information on the exact product packaging.
How should I store an opened bag of coated peanuts?
Follow the instructions on the packaging for the exact variety. Jumbo and PLUS advise storing their products in a cool, dry, dark place; the Joybuy product page for Duyvis Provencale 275 g advises keeping the packaging closed after opening.