Portion-conscious party-goers
You want to enjoy coated peanuts on New Year’s Eve, while staying mindful of how much you have. Compare the nutritional values and weigh out the amount you’ll actually serve.
Who are these coated peanuts for?
Label checkers
You want to know whether a product really contains less energy. Compare like for like, such as the nutritional value per 100 g, rather than portions of different sizes.
Hosts catering for different diets
You’re choosing snacks to share and want to consider flavour, packaging and allergens. Ingredients and allergens can vary between variants.
What should you look for when choosing?
First compare the nutritional values on the same basis, then decide which portion size and flavour suit your gathering.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy for the same amount | Compare kcal per 100 g for the exact variant you’re buying. | If I’m mainly looking for less energy in the same amount, I compare the labels. Around 36% of consumers put energy content first. |
| Portion size | Weigh your portion and check the weight of individual bags. | If I want to keep the familiar coated-peanut flavour and decide for myself how much to eat, I pay attention to the quantity. Around 29% of consumers put portion control first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergens and salt content for the exact flavour. | When choosing for guests, I check which ingredients and allergens are suitable for them. Around 21% of consumers put ingredients and suitability for guests first. |
| Packaging and quantity | Check the net weight, the weight of each bag and the storage advice. | For a sharing table, I want to have enough to go round without opening more than necessary. Around 14% of consumers start with the quantity and type of packaging. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming the lowest figure means a low-energy product
The five variants checked from Jumbo, PLUS, Albert Heijn and Duyvis list 527–542 kcal per 100 g. This difference shows which of these labels has the lowest figure for the same amount, but it doesn’t make the products low in energy. For solid foods, the European Commission sets the limit for this claim at 40 kcal per 100 g.
Compare values per 100 g, and don’t use ‘low energy’ as another way of saying the lowest figure in a selection.
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Assuming a small bag means a small portion
The Duyvis Provencale multipack checked contains 45 g bags. That’s more than the 25 g reference amount for coated peanuts used by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
Check the weight and spoon or weigh out the amount you want to eat in advance.
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Assuming ‘unsalted’ or ‘vegan’ means less energy
A claim about salt or ingredients doesn’t, on its own, tell you how much energy a product contains. Unsalted nuts don’t automatically have less energy than coated peanuts either.
Assess energy, ingredients and suitability for different diets as separate features.
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Assuming all flavours from a brand are the same when it comes to allergies
Ingredients and allergens can vary between variants. For example, PLUS lists milk in its Ham Kaas variant; the ingredients list for Shanghai is different.
Check the packaging for every flavour you choose and keep it available for guests.
Brands and variants to help you choose
Duyvis
Coated peanuts in flavours including Provencale and Oriental.
- Albert Heijn lists 542 kcal and 1.3 g of salt per 100 g for Duyvis Provencale. The 20-pack contains 45 g bags.
- This information applies to the variant mentioned; check the nutritional values and allergens for the flavour you’re buying.
Albert Heijn
The Cocktail variant checked is a supermarket own-brand coated peanut snack in a 300 g bag.
- The product information lists 532 kcal per 100 g and twelve 25 g portions.
- The product information lists milk, peanuts and wheat among the allergens. Check the packaging before serving.
Jumbo
The Cocktail variant checked is a coated peanut snack in a 300 g bag.
- Jumbo lists 527 kcal per 100 g and 132 kcal per 25 g portion.
- The product information lists peanuts and wheat, and warns that it may contain other nuts.
PLUS
The variants checked are Shanghai and Ham Kaas, both in 300 g bags.
- PLUS lists 530 kcal per 100 g for Shanghai and labels it vegan; the product information lists 534 kcal per 100 g for Ham Kaas.
- Ham Kaas contains milk. A vegan label and energy content are different criteria for choosing; check the current packaging.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands stocks coated peanuts.
- This may be an option if you’re looking for coated peanuts at this supermarket.
- Compare the nutritional values and allergens on the packaging of your chosen variant.
ALDI
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s coated peanuts in flavours including bacon and cheese, poesta and paprika, in 300 g bags.
- The flavours and pack sizes mentioned offer a range of options for your sharing table.
- Check the nutritional values and allergens on the packaging for each flavour; a flavour description doesn’t tell you how much energy it contains.
Coated peanuts at Joybuy
These Joybuy products are coated peanuts or peanuts with a coating, for anyone who wants to keep serving this snack and choose the portion size themselves.
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Duyvis Borrelnootjes Poeta 275 g
A good fit if you want to serve seasoned coated peanuts and weigh out your own portion; this isn’t a low-energy option.
The product information lists peanuts, milk, wheat and celery; it may also contain traces of soya, mustard and other nuts.
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Duyvis Oriental Borrelnootjes 275 g
An option if you’re looking for curry-flavoured coated peanuts and want to choose your own portion; not intended as a low-energy option.
The product information lists peanuts, wheat, barley and soya; it may also contain milk, nuts and mustard.
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Duyvis Bran Nuts Provencale 125 g
A good fit if you want to serve coated peanuts with onion and garlic flavour and choose your own portion size.
The product information lists peanuts and wheat; it may also contain milk, nuts, soya and mustard. Check the packaging before serving.
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Duyvis Coated Peanuts Provençal 275 g
An option if you’re looking for coated peanuts with Provençal onion and garlic flavour to serve with drinks; weigh out your own portion.
The product information lists peanuts and wheat; it may also contain milk, nuts, soya and mustard.
Frequently asked questions
When can you call coated peanuts ‘low energy’ or ‘light’?
For solid foods, the European Commission sets the limit for a ‘low energy’ claim at 40 kcal per 100 g. A claim that a product has reduced energy requires a reduction of at least 30%, and must state what feature has caused the reduction. The five variants checked contain 527–542 kcal per 100 g, so they shouldn’t be described as low energy.
How do I calculate the energy in my portion?
Multiply the kcal per 100 g on the packaging by the number of grams in your portion, then divide by 100. For 25 g of Jumbo Cocktail, that’s 527 × 25 ÷ 100 = 131.75 kcal; Jumbo rounds this to 132 kcal.
Does an individual bag automatically count as a small portion?
No, the weight of the bag determines how much you eat. The Duyvis Provencale multipack checked contains 45 g bags, while the Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses 25 g as the reference amount for coated peanuts. Weigh out a smaller amount if that better suits your choice.
What should I check if a guest has a food allergy?
Check the ingredients and warnings about possible cross-contamination on the packaging of the exact variant. The NVWA explains that allergens must be clearly listed on food products. For example, the Jumbo Cocktail checked lists peanuts and wheat; the AH Cocktail also lists milk.
How should I store an opened bag of coated peanuts?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging for your variant. Albert Heijn advises storing the Cocktail variant in a cool, dark, dry place and closing the packaging tightly; Duyvis product information recommends storing an opened bag in a light- and airtight container.