Who is this choice relevant to?

Sportspeople keeping track of protein

You want to know what a realistic portion of cocktail nuts adds to your diet, without automatically treating an everyday snack as a recovery product.

Portion-conscious snackers

You want something crunchy to snack on, but you compare the energy and salt in the amount you’ll actually eat as well as the protein.

Sharing with people who have dietary requirements

You’re putting out a snack for several people and checking the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety. Vegan does not mean a product is free from peanuts or wheat.

What should you look for when choosing?

First compare the nutritional values for the same-sized portion, then check whether the flavour, ingredients and packaging suit your drinks evening.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Protein per portion Compare the same amount. Jumbo lists 3.4 g of protein per 25 g; the PLUS values work out at 3.34 g per 25 g. If you exercise and want to know how much protein a snack portion contributes, make this value your priority. Around 31% of consumers prioritise protein per portion.
Allergens and dietary requirements Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety on the packaging. If you or someone else needs to avoid an ingredient, check the variety carefully; a vegan label does not replace this check. Around 13% of consumers prioritise suitability for their dietary requirements.
Energy and salt Compare energy and salt for the same-sized portion, not just per pack. If you want to weigh up the energy and salt in your snack portion, look at both values alongside protein. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this balance per portion.
Flavour and coating Check the product description and ingredients for the specific flavour variety. If the crunchy, seasoned snack is the main thing you’re after, don’t let protein alone determine your choice of flavour. Around 19% of consumers prioritise flavour and coating.
Packaging and storage Choose a pack size to suit your group and follow the storage instructions once it’s opened. If you’re sharing, you’ll want a suitable amount and some left over that you can store properly. Around 12% of consumers prioritise quantity and storage.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Confusing protein per 100 g with a snack portion

    A value per 100 g can look higher than the amount you’ll get from one portion. Jumbo lists 13.4 g of protein per 100 g and 3.4 g per 25 g portion.

    Compare protein, energy and salt for the same amount you plan to snack on.

  • Assuming vegan means allergen-free

    The PLUS Oriental Style variety is described as vegan, but also lists peanuts and wheat. A dietary label does not mean a product is suitable for someone with an allergy.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.

  • Assuming nutritional values are the same across a product range

    The manufacturer’s information for Duyvis and the listings from HANOS and Joybuy for Duyvis Cocktail differ on energy, fat and salt.

    Use the nutritional values for the specific pack, rather than assuming one set of values applies to every variety.

  • Choosing a large bag without thinking about what’s left over

    A pack may contain more snack than you want to eat in one evening, and storage is still something to consider once it’s open.

    Choose a pack size to suit your group and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.

Brands to compare

Duyvis

Duyvis describes Cocktail as a savoury peanut with a crunchy coating.

  • The manufacturer lists several pack sizes for Cocktail.
  • The Cocktail information lists milk, peanuts and gluten; check the exact variety and pack.

Albert Heijn

The 250 g AH Provencale cocktail nuts are an example you can use to compare nutritional values per 100 g.

  • The product information for this variety listed 14 g of protein per 100 g.
  • This variety is marked as discontinued; its values do not automatically apply to a replacement product.

Jumbo

Jumbo Cocktail Nuts 300 g gives nutritional values per 100 g and per 25 g portion.

  • The retailer lists 3.4 g of protein and 132 kcal per 25 g portion.
  • The variety lists peanuts and wheat/gluten; check the pack if ingredients are important to you.

PLUS

PLUS describes its Oriental Style variety as a spicy snack with a crunchy coating.

  • The retailer describes this variety as vegan and lists nutritional values per 100 g.
  • The variety lists peanuts and wheat; vegan does not mean allergen-free.

Lidl

Lidl describes cocktail nuts in several varieties, in 250 g packs.

  • Pack size and in-store availability are practical points to consider when choosing.
  • The product page describes an in-store purchase; check the information on the variety you choose.

ALDI

ALDI has a category for nuts, seeds and kernels.

  • The category gives you a place to browse the nut selection.
  • A category description does not tell you the ingredients or nutritional values of a specific variety of cocktail nuts.

Cocktail nuts at Joybuy

This product selection is suited to a crunchy, seasoned snack to enjoy with drinks. Consider protein as part of the nutritional values, not as a recovery claim in its own right.

Duyvis Oriental cocktail nuts, 275 g

Duyvis Oriental cocktail nuts, 275 g

The crunchy coating and curry flavour are ideal if you’re looking for a seasoned snack to enjoy with drinks.

The product information lists 15 g of protein, 539 kcal and 1.4 g of salt per 100 g.

Contains peanuts, gluten (wheat and barley) and soya; may contain milk, nuts and mustard.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I use cocktail nuts as a special recovery product?

Start by considering your diet as a whole. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that recreational athletes do not need special protein products. According to the product information, Jumbo Cocktail provides 3.4 g of protein per 25 g; this amount does not demonstrate that the snack has a specific recovery effect.

Do allergens have to be listed on a bag of cocktail nuts sold in the Netherlands?

Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products. Check the exact flavour variety: Jumbo Cocktail and PLUS Oriental Style list peanuts and wheat/gluten.

How should I store an opened bag of cocktail nuts?

Follow the instructions on the packaging. Jumbo Cocktail and PLUS Oriental Style advise storing the product in a cool, dry and dark place. For Duyvis Cocktail, HANOS recommends using a lightproof, airtight container after opening.

How do I compare cocktail nuts with different portion sizes?

Convert the nutritional values to the same amount. Based on the values per 100 g, a 25 g portion of PLUS Oriental Style provides 3.34 g of protein and 131.5 kcal. Jumbo lists rounded values of 3.4 g of protein and 132 kcal per 25 g.