Calorie-conscious portion planners
You want to keep enjoying cocktail nuts, but compare both the energy per 100 g and the amount you actually eat. Choosing a smaller portion and choosing a low-calorie product are two different things.
If you’re keeping an eye on calories, compare the energy per 100 g first, then decide how many grams you’ll have at each snack break. The Jumbo, PLUS, AH and Duyvis Provencale varieties examined list 527–542 kcal per 100 g, well above the 40 kcal per 100 g limit for a ‘low energy’ claim, as explained by the European Commission. Choosing a smaller portion doesn’t change the nutritional value of the product itself.
You want to keep enjoying cocktail nuts, but compare both the energy per 100 g and the amount you actually eat. Choosing a smaller portion and choosing a low-calorie product are two different things.
You keep snacks at home, take them on the go or share them, and want to choose between portioning them yourself and buying individual bags. Check the contents of each bag, not just the overall pack size.
You’re looking for a particular seasoning, but also check the salt and ingredients. If you have a food allergy, the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack are what count; a flavour or brand name isn’t enough. The NVWA states that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products.
First compare nutritional values on the same basis, then decide on your preferred portion size, and finally choose the pack size and recipe that suit your stocking-up needs.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Compare kcal per 100 g and weigh the portion you choose. The varieties examined list 527–542 kcal per 100 g; the product information from Jumbo, PLUS and Albert Heijn applies to the varieties named. | If you want to know how much energy you’re actually eating, calculate it using the weight of your portion. Around 36% of consumers prioritise energy per portion actually eaten. |
| Packaging and serving | Compare the total contents, the number of bags and the weight of each bag. The Duyvis Provencale multipack contains 20 bags of 45 g; the AH and Jumbo cocktail nut bags examined each contain 300 g. | If you want to take snacks with you or hand them out individually, the contents of each pack make a difference. Around 29% of consumers prioritise having snacks in stock and being able to serve them easily. |
| Flavour, salt and allergens | Check the ingredients, allergen information and salt per 100 g for the exact variety. Duyvis Provencale lists 1,3 g salt per 100 g; Jumbo Cocktail lists 1,63 g per 100 g. | If a particular flavour or recipe is important to you, check the allergens on the pack too. Around 21% of consumers prioritise suitability for their dietary needs. |
| How much to buy for your stock | Compare the net weight with how much you expect to use. The Duyvis Provencale pack examined contains 275 g; the AH, Jumbo and PLUS bags examined contain 300 g. | If you mainly want to buy a suitable quantity, consider how much you use and the storage instructions after opening. Around 14% of consumers prioritise the quantity they keep in stock. |
A smaller pack doesn’t tell you anything about the energy per 100 g. Based on 542 kcal per 100 g, an individual 45 g bag of Duyvis Provencale contains around 244 kcal.
Check both the weight of the bag and the energy per 100 g, then decide how much you want to eat.
The AH and Jumbo cocktail products examined use 25 g as a portion. Duyvis Provencale is listed with 30 g portions for a different pack; the multipack contains 45 g bags. This means portion values can’t be compared directly without converting them.
First compare the values per 100 g, then convert each variety to the same portion weight.
Varieties differ in flavour, salt and allergens. A lower energy value doesn’t automatically mean less salt, and information about one recipe doesn’t apply to every product from the same brand.
Check the full product name, ingredients and allergen information on the pack you want to buy.
The varieties examined offer different seasoning flavours and pack formats.
AH Borrelnoten cocktail 300 g is an option if you want to weigh out portions from a larger bag yourself.
Jumbo Borrelnoten Cocktail 300 g lists nutritional values per 100 g and per portion.
PLUS Borrelnoten Mild 300 g is a mild variety for your own snack cupboard or to share.
Cocktail nuts are part of Lidl’s Dutch range.
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s cocktail nuts in flavours including poesta, paprika and bacon-cheese.
These product choices suit a cocktail nut selection where flavour, pack size and energy per 100 g all matter; none of the energy figures listed make these varieties low in calories.
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An option if you’re looking for a curry flavour to add to your cocktail nut selection.
Joybuy’s product information lists 539 kcal per 100 g.
Contains peanuts, gluten from wheat and barley, and soya; may contain milk, nuts and mustard.
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A smaller pack for anyone looking for Provencale with an onion and garlic flavour.
Joybuy lists 527 kcal per 100 g and 30 g portions; according to the product information, the pack contains 4–5 portions.
Contains peanuts and wheat; may contain milk, nuts, soya and mustard.
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An option for a larger pack with an onion and garlic flavour.
Joybuy’s product information lists 542 kcal per 100 g.
Contains peanuts and wheat; may contain milk, nuts, soya and mustard.
No, not the four varieties examined, which declare values of 527–542 kcal per 100 g. According to the European Commission, the ‘low energy’ claim for solid foods has a limit of 40 kcal per 100 g. Choosing a smaller portion doesn’t change that product limit.
No. According to the European Commission, a ‘reduced energy’ claim requires at least 30% less energy, and the characteristic responsible for the reduction must be stated. A small difference between varieties doesn’t in itself substantiate that claim.
First compare the values per 100 g, then convert each variety to the same portion weight. AH and Jumbo list a 25 g portion for the cocktail products examined, while the Duyvis Provencale multipack contains 45 g bags.
Read the ingredients and check the information about allergens that are present or may be present on the exact pack. The recipes examined vary; peanuts and wheat are among the ingredients, and some also list milk or celery. The NVWA states that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products.
Follow the storage instructions for the exact variety. Albert Heijn advises closing the AH Cocktail bag properly after use and storing it in a cool, dark, dry place. For Duyvis Provencale, an opened bag should be stored in a light- and airtight container.