If you want to consume fewer calories when snacking, weigh your portion first, then compare the energy per 100 g of the exact varieties. A smaller portion reduces the energy in what you eat, but it doesn’t make cocktail nuts low in calories; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 133 kcal for a generic 25 g handful.
You want to enjoy the familiar taste, but decide in advance how much you’ll eat during one snacking occasion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses 25 g as a generic portion example; this isn’t a product specification for every brand.
You want to compare the energy in different varieties on the same basis, without confusing a claim such as ‘low calorie’ with eating less. The European Commission sets separate conditions for claims about low or reduced energy value.
You choose a pack to suit how you’ll use it and compare products that fit your supermarket shop. Range information from Duyvis, Jumbo, ALDI and PLUS shows a variety of pack sizes, but that alone says nothing about a calorie advantage.
A good fit if: you mainly want less energy per snacking occasion while keeping the same taste.
Bear in mind: you’ll eat a smaller volume of snacks; the energy per 100 g of the product won’t change.
A good fit if: you’re considering a different variety and want to know whether the same amount contains less energy.
Bear in mind: compare the exact products per 100 g; a different flavour or smaller pack doesn’t prove that it has a lower energy content.
First decide whether you mainly want to adjust your portion or try a different variety. For the latter, compare the energy per 100 g, then work out the amount for the quantity you’ll actually eat.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Calories per portion | Weigh your portion and calculate kcal per portion as kcal per 100 g × portion weight in grams ÷ 100. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 133 kcal for a generic 25 g portion of cocktail nuts. | I want to enjoy the same taste but eat fewer calories during one snacking occasion. Around 36% of consumers prioritise portion control for this reason. |
| Energy per 100 g | Compare kJ and kcal per 100 g for the exact varieties. For solid food, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for a claim meaning ‘low energy’; a claim about reduced energy requires a reduction of at least 30% and a statement of the characteristic responsible for the reduction. | If I choose a variety because it has a lower energy content, I want to make a fair comparison using the same quantity. Around 29% of consumers prioritise a demonstrably lower energy content. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, salt and energy separately. If you have an allergy, check the allergen information on the pack of the exact variety; the NVWA explains allergen labelling. | I also consider the ingredients when choosing a snack, for example unsalted nuts versus seasoned, coated nuts. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
| Packaging and use | Compare the net weight with how you plan to use the product, and follow its storage instructions. The contents of a bag aren’t the same as a portion. | When shopping, I want a pack that suits how I’ll use the cocktail nuts. Around 14% of consumers prioritise finding the right fit. |
Pack weight and energy per 100 g are different things. A 125 g pack is also larger than the generic 25 g portion example.
Choose your portion in grams and compare the energy of different varieties separately per 100 g.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre states that unsalted nuts are included in its Wheel of Five. This doesn’t establish that a particular type of nut contains less energy than cocktail nuts.
Think of choosing unsalted nuts as a choice about ingredients, and compare labels on the same weight basis to check the energy content.
The Joybuy pages for Duyvis Provençal 125 g and 275 g show different energy values. The 275 g pack gives the value per 100 g; the 125 g pack doesn’t show a clear weight basis.
Use only the nutritional value that applies to the exact pack and has a clearly stated basis.
Duyvis makes coated peanuts to enjoy with drinks. The manufacturer says its Cocktail variety is available in 125 g, 275 g, 500 g and 1000 g packs.
Albert Heijn lists AH Cocktail Nuts as an own-brand option.
Jumbo lists 300 g Cocktail Nuts as peanuts with a crunchy dough coating.
Lidl lists cocktail nuts in its product range.
ALDI lists TRADER JOE’S cocktail nuts in bacon and cheese, poesta and paprika flavours, in 300 g bags.
PLUS lists 300 g Ham and Cheese Cocktail Nuts as an own-brand option.
No. A smaller portion reduces the energy in that portion, but doesn’t change the energy per 100 g. For solid food, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for a claim meaning ‘low energy’. The Joybuy product page for Duyvis Provençal 275 g lists 542 kcal per 100 g.
Multiply the kcal per 100 g on the label by the weight of your portion in grams, then divide by 100. In the generic example from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, 25 g of cocktail nuts contains 133 kcal; this value doesn’t apply to every flavour or brand.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. Jumbo’s product information advises storing the product in a cool, dry and dark place. The Joybuy product page for Duyvis Provençal 275 g also advises keeping the pack tightly closed after opening.
Check the allergen information on the exact pack, even if you’ve bought the product before. The NVWA explains that allergens must be clearly listed on the label. The Joybuy product page for Duyvis Provençal 275 g lists peanuts and wheat, and warns that it may contain milk, nuts, soya and mustard.
Compare the product name, weight, best-before date and any batch code with the official warning, and follow the instructions given. The warning issued by Duyvis and PepsiCo Netherlands on 14 September 2022 applied to Provençale 125 g with a best-before date of 15/04/2023 and Provençale 1000 g with a best-before date of 20/05/2023. The manufacturer stated that products with other best-before codes were not affected; this wasn’t a warning about all Duyvis cocktail nuts.
