Who is this buying guide for?

Families looking to reduce fat

You want to keep buying cocktail nuts, but first compare the fat content and find out what claims such as ‘low fat’ or ‘reduced fat’ mean. A flavour name or small pack is no substitute for that comparison.

Families planning portions

You want to work out how much to serve each person and how many portions you’ll get from a bag. The nutritional values per 100 g and per weighed portion help you compare the amounts.

Families weighing up stock and cost

You’re buying for several people and comparing pack sizes and prices per kilo. A larger bag makes most sense when you’ll use it over planned snack occasions and can store it according to the label.

What should you look for in cocktail nuts?

First compare the ingredients and nutritional values per 100 g, then decide on a portion and choose a pack that suits how you plan to use it.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Fat content Compare total fat in g per 100 g and check the basis for any nutrition claim. If I want a product with less fat for my family, I look at the nutritional values first, not just the portion size. Around 36% of consumers prioritise the product’s composition.
Portion size Weigh the amount you serve and compare it with the portion weight and number of portions on the label. If I want to plan how much we eat at each snack occasion, I want to know what actually goes into the bowls. Around 29% of consumers prioritise portion planning.
Bag size and storage Compare the price per kilo and net weight of the exact pack, and follow the storage instructions. If I’m buying supplies for several snack occasions, I want to be able to use everything in time. Around 21% of consumers focus mainly on stock and cost per quantity.
Suitable for everyone sharing Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact flavour. If young children are eating too, bear whole nuts in mind. If someone sharing has an allergy, or young children are joining in, I want to check the pack and the form of the snack beforehand. Around 14% of consumers prioritise suitability.

Common buying mistakes

  • Confusing a smaller portion with a low-fat product

    Serving less changes how much fat you eat, not the fat content per 100 g. For example, Jumbo Cocktail 300 g lists 32,7 g of fat per 100 g. The Voedingscentrum says that solid foods can be labelled low fat only if they contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g.

    Compare the values per 100 g first, then calculate based on the weight of your own portion. Don’t use ‘low fat’ as another way of saying ‘smaller amount’.

  • Judging a multipack by the price of one bag alone

    A lower price for one bag doesn’t tell you the price per kilo. A larger pack also means you’ll need to portion it out and store it yourself.

    Compare the price per kilo and pack size of the exact products, and choose based on the snack occasions you have planned.

    A larger bag means keeping more in stock, so it’s only a good fit if you’ll actually use it all.

  • Mistaking a flavour name for a nutrition claim

    A name such as Mild doesn’t prove that the product has less fat than other cocktail nuts.

    Read the nutrition table and assess any claim based on the exact variant and the stated basis for comparison.

  • Overlooking allergens because you’re focused on fat

    A nutrition claim tells you nothing about the allergens in a particular flavour. Albert Heijn advises customers to check the current packaging, as product information can change.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information for every flavour you choose. Keep the packaging if you’re serving the snack in a bowl.

Relevant brands and retailers

Duyvis

According to Duyvis product information, its Borrelnootjes range includes Cocktail, Provençale, Oriental and Poesta.

  • There are several flavour ranges to choose from.
  • A range of flavours and a crunchy coating don’t prove that a variant contains less fat; compare the nutritional values for the exact flavour.

Albert Heijn

AH Borrelnoten Cocktail is an own-brand option if you want to add cocktail nuts to your family shop.

  • The product page identifies the own-brand variant.
  • An own-brand name says nothing about reduced fat; Albert Heijn advises checking the current label.

Jumbo

Jumbo Cocktail is available in a 300 g bag, among other options. The range also includes 500 g multipacks.

  • For Jumbo Cocktail 300 g, Jumbo lists nutritional values per 100 g and per 25 g portion.
  • According to Jumbo, this variant contains 32,7 g of fat per 100 g. That’s above the maximum of 3 g per 100 g that the Voedingscentrum sets for low-fat solid foods.

Lidl

Lidl stocks cocktail nuts in the Netherlands, making it a possible option when comparing products.

  • The retailer’s website confirms that it sells cocktail nuts.
  • The retailer’s name and the product category don’t prove that a particular flavour contains less fat.

ALDI

ALDI lists TRADER JOE’S cocktail nuts, including Oriental, Provençale and Cocktail flavours.

  • ALDI product information lists several flavours in 300 g packs.
  • ALDI is the retailer here; the product brand is TRADER JOE’S. The flavour options alone say nothing about reduced fat.

PLUS

PLUS lists own-brand Mild and Ham Kaas variants, both in 300 g packs.

  • The product pages state the net weight and advise storing the products in a cool, dry, dark place.
  • Mild is a product name, not proof of a lower fat content.

Joybuy products for portion planning

These Duyvis cocktail nuts are options for comparing flavours and pack sizes and planning your own portions. Check the fat content per 100 g separately.

Duyvis Borrelnootjes Poeta, 275 g

Duyvis Borrelnootjes Poeta, 275 g

An option if you’re looking for a Duyvis flavour for a get-together and want to decide on the portion size yourself.

Pack size: 275 g. Fat: 34 g per 100 g. That’s above the maximum of 3 g per 100 g that the Voedingscentrum sets for low-fat products.

View at Joybuy
Duyvis Bran Nuts Provencale, 125 g

Duyvis Bran Nuts Provencale, 125 g

A smaller pack to compare if you want to plan how much you have at each snack occasion.

Pack size: 125 g; the product description lists 4–5 portions of 30 g. Fat: 33 g per 100 g, above the maximum of 3 g per 100 g that the Voedingscentrum sets for low-fat products.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Do ‘low fat’ and ‘reduced fat’ mean the same thing?

No, the terms have different criteria. For solid foods, the Voedingscentrum sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a low-fat claim. According to the Nederlands Bakkerij Centrum, a reduced-fat claim means the product contains at least 30% less fat than comparable products. The Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit confirms that nutrition claims are covered by European rules. So compare both the absolute value and the basis for comparison.

Is a 300 g bag one family portion?

Not necessarily. Jumbo Cocktail 300 g lists 12 portions of 25 g. That’s the portion guide for this variant, not a personal recommendation for every family member. Decide how much you actually want to serve.

How do I calculate the fat in a portion I’ve chosen?

Multiply the fat per 100 g by the portion weight in grams, then divide the result by 100. Use the nutritional value for the exact variant and the weight of your portion. A smaller portion doesn’t show that the product contains less fat per 100 g.

What should I look for in a large bag for the family?

Compare the net weight and price per kilo of the exact packs, and choose an amount that suits your planned snack occasions. Follow the storage instructions on the label; Jumbo Cocktail and PLUS Mild advise storing the products in a cool, dry, dark place.

Where can I check allergen information, and what if young children are eating too?

Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack for the exact flavour. The Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit says that allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label. If young children are eating too, bear the risk of whole nuts in mind. Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter rather than whole nuts for children under 4.