Calorie-conscious evening snackers
You want to enjoy a crunchy evening snack and are interested in the energy provided by the amount you actually serve yourself, rather than the impression given by the packaging.
Who is this relevant to?
Snackers who want to measure their portions
You prefer to decide in advance how much you’ll eat. The AH and Jumbo labels use a 25 g portion, while Duyvis Cocktail uses 30 g, so compare the same weighed amount.
Snackers who also keep an eye on salt
As well as energy, you check salt, ingredients and allergens. A lower energy value doesn’t automatically mean less salt, and unsalted nuts are a different nutritional choice.
What should you look for when choosing?
First compare the same quantity, then weigh up the balance between energy, portion size, salt and taste. The percentages below reflect consumers’ main purchasing priorities in the context of a late-night snack.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy for the same quantity | Compare the kcal per 100 g for the exact flavour and pack, then work out the value for the portion you want to eat. | If I want to have the same quantity, I look at the energy on the label first. Around 36% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Measuring out a portion in advance | Check the portion size on the label and serve the amount you want into a separate bowl; the pack weight is not a recommended portion size. | If I want to keep my usual snack but decide for myself how much I eat, weighing it out in advance helps. Around 29% of consumers put portion control first. |
| Salt and nutritional quality | Compare salt per 100 g separately from energy, and check the ingredients and allergen information too. | If salt or nutritional quality matters more than the lowest kcal value, I look at these details separately. Around 21% of consumers make this their main priority. |
| Taste and convenience when shopping | Check the exact flavour, pack size and storage instructions; a different flavour or larger bag doesn’t, by itself, tell you anything about the energy per portion. | If I mainly want a particular flavour and to stock up conveniently, I compare the variety and pack. Around 14% of consumers start with taste and convenience. |
Common pitfalls
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Confusing a small portion with a low-calorie product
A smaller portion provides less energy than a larger portion of the same product, but it doesn’t change the energy per 100 g. The European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g for a ‘low energy’ claim on solid foods; the three cocktail varieties checked are well above this limit.
Compare kcal per 100 g when assessing products. Describe a smaller amount as a smaller portion, not as proof that the product itself is low in calories.
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Comparing the portion sizes on labels directly
The Duyvis Cocktail checked uses a 30 g portion on its label, while AH and Jumbo use 25 g. That means the calories per labelled portion aren’t directly comparable.
Convert the values to the same weight before making a choice.
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Automatically assuming unsalted nuts are lower in calories
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes unsalted nuts in the Wheel of Five, but general reference values don’t guarantee they provide less energy than coated peanuts for the same weight.
Consider nutritional quality and energy intake as separate questions when making your choice.
Brands of coated peanuts to compare
Duyvis
Duyvis sells varieties including Cocktail and Oriental; the manufacturer describes Oriental as peanuts with a crunchy curry-flavoured coating.
- Labels for the specific Duyvis Cocktail variety are available, with information on energy, salt and allergens.
- The 275 g Cocktail pack checked lists 541 kcal and 1.4 g of salt per 100 g; these values don’t necessarily apply to other Duyvis products.
Albert Heijn
AH Borrelnoten cocktail 300 g is a supermarket own-brand variety with a 25 g portion size on the label.
- Albert Heijn’s product information lists energy, salt, fibre and allergens for this variety.
- The label checked lists peanuts, wheat and milk, among other ingredients; check the label separately for other flavours.
Jumbo
Jumbo Borrelnoten Cocktail 300 g lists nutritional values per 100 g and per 25 g portion.
- The variety checked lists 527 kcal and 1.63 g of salt per 100 g.
- The label information on peanuts and wheat applies to this product variety and doesn’t cover the entire Jumbo range.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands lists coated peanuts in its range.
- This product category is relevant if you want to compare coated peanuts as a snack.
- A product listing doesn’t tell you how it compares on calories; check the nutritional and allergen information on the exact pack.
ALDI
ALDI lists TRADER JOE’S Borrelnoten in flavours such as Oriental, Provençale and Cocktail, in a 300 g pack.
- The flavours and pack size listed can help you find a specific variety.
- The product listing isn’t a kcal comparison; check the nutritional and allergen information on the pack you choose.
PLUS
PLUS lists varieties including Borrelnoten Ham Kaas and Provencaals in 300 g bags.
- The product listings show different Nutri-Scores for these flavours.
- A Nutri-Score is no substitute for comparing kcal per 100 g or checking the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety.
Coated peanuts on Joybuy
These Joybuy products are Duyvis coated peanuts in different flavours and pack sizes. They’re suitable if you want to keep this snack in your routine and weigh out your own portion; the nutritional values listed don’t make them low in calories.
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Duyvis Borrelnootjes Poeta, 275 g
A good fit if you want to keep enjoying a seasoned coated peanut snack and weigh out your own portion.
According to the product information: 539 kcal and 1.4 g of salt per 100 g. Contains peanuts, milk, wheat and celery; may contain traces of soya, mustard and other nuts.
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Duyvis Oriental Borrelnootjes, 275 g
An option if you’re after curry-flavoured coated peanuts and want to weigh out your own portion.
According to the product information: 539 kcal and 1.4 g of salt per 100 g. Contains peanuts, wheat and soya; may contain traces of milk, nuts and mustard.
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Duyvis Bran Nuts Provencale, 125 g
A good fit if you’re looking for a Provençal flavour in a smaller pack and want to choose your own snack portion.
According to the product information: 527 kcal and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g; the stated portion is 30 g. Contains peanuts and wheat; may contain traces of milk, nuts, soya and mustard.
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Duyvis Coated Peanuts Provençal, 275 g
A flavour option if you want to keep enjoying seasoned coated peanuts and weigh out your portion in advance.
According to the product information: 542 kcal and 1.3 g of salt per 100 g. Contains peanuts and wheat; may contain traces of milk, nuts, soya and mustard.
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Duyvis Tigernut BBQ Paprika, 275 g
A good fit if you’re after a BBQ paprika flavour and want to measure out your own evening snack.
According to the product information: 535 kcal and 1.5 g of salt per 100 g. Contains peanuts and wheat; may contain traces of milk, nuts, soya and mustard.
Frequently asked questions
Can you call these coated peanuts low in calories?
No. The three cocktail products checked don’t meet the European threshold for a ‘low energy’ claim. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g; these varieties list between 527 and 541 kcal per 100 g. A smaller portion doesn’t change the value per 100 g.
How do I work out the calories in my bowl?
Multiply the kcal per 100 g by the number of grams you’ve weighed out, then divide by 100. For example, for AH Borrelnoten cocktail, 20 g works out as 532 × 20 ÷ 100 = 106.4 kcal. This is a calculation example, not a recommended portion size.
What should I look out for if I have a food allergy?
Check the label on the exact pack every time you buy it. The NVWA requires allergens to be clearly indicated on prepacked foods. The cocktail products checked contain peanuts and wheat; AH and Duyvis also list milk. Always check the latest information if an allergen is relevant to you.
How should I store an opened bag of coated peanuts?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack for your variety. Albert Heijn recommends sealing the pack properly and storing it in a cool, dark and dry place; Duyvis advises keeping an opened bag in a lightproof, airtight container.
Does ‘light’ mean the same as low in calories?
No. According to the European Commission, a claim about reduced energy value requires at least 30% less energy than a comparable product, and the feature responsible for the reduction must be stated. A small difference in kcal between standard varieties isn’t enough.