Who is this relevant to?

Someone who enjoys a drink and wants to eat less fat

You want to assess the ingredients in cocktail nuts and decide how much to eat, without mistaking a small portion for a low-fat product.

Host planning to serve a sharing bag

You choose a bag size to suit the group and keep your own portion separate, so the amount for your guests doesn’t automatically become your portion too.

Shopper who needs to consider allergens

As well as checking the nutritional information, you check the ingredients list and warnings on the packaging for the exact flavour you’re buying.

What should you look for when buying?

Compare the nutrition information per 100 g for the exact variety. For solid foods, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim.

What to consider What should you check? Who should pay particular attention?
Total fat and the ‘low fat’ claim Compare the total fat per 100 g for the same type of product, and check which nutrition claim appears on the exact variety. If I want to eat less fat, I look at the ingredients first, not just the bag size. Around 34% of consumers make fat content their main selection criterion.
Your own portion Use the nutrition information per 100 g for the exact variety, then calculate the amount for the number of grams you weigh out. If I’m eating from a sharing bag, I want to know how much I’m having myself. Around 33% of consumers consider their own portion their main priority.
Allergens for the group Check the ingredients list and warnings about possible traces on the current packaging. If I’m buying snacks for guests, I want to consider any allergens that may be relevant to them. Around 20% of consumers put allergen safety first.
Bag size and storage Compare the net weight with how much you expect to use, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. If I’m buying a sharing bag, I want to choose a size that suits the group and know how to store any leftovers. Around 13% of consumers consider bag size and storage their main priority.

Common buying mistakes

  • Mistaking a small portion for a low-fat product

    The ‘low fat’ limit applies per 100 g, not to a portion you choose yourself. A smaller portion doesn’t change the product’s composition.

    First, check the total fat per 100 g, then work out how much is in the amount you weigh out. For solid foods, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a maximum of 3 g per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim.

  • Taking a taste test as proof that a product suits your diet

    Libelle’s taste test on 25 January 2018 assessed flavour, crunchiness and colour. It doesn’t tell you whether a variety is suitable if you’re trying to eat less fat.

    Start by checking the nutrition table for the exact variety. Then consider your taste preferences separately.

  • Assuming a supermarket’s name means there’s only one recipe

    ALDI lists several TRADER JOE'S flavours. That means the nutrition information for one flavour doesn’t automatically apply to another.

    Check the brand, full product name, flavour and net weight on the packaging you intend to buy.

  • Buying a large bag without a plan for leftovers

    A large pack gives you more to share, but you’ll also need to store any leftovers properly once it’s opened. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing nuts in a tightly sealed container in a dry place.

    Choose a pack size that suits how much you expect to use, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.

Brands to consider

Duyvis

Duyvis lists Cocktail in several pack sizes: the manufacturer names 125 g, 275 g, 500 g and 1000 g.

  • The range of pack sizes gives you options for planning how much to serve with drinks.
  • The nutrition information for Provençaals 275 g doesn’t automatically apply to Cocktail or other flavours. Joybuy Netherlands lists 35 g of fat per 100 g for Provençaals 275 g, so it isn’t a low-fat variety.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists AH Cocktail Nuts as an own-brand option.

  • The listing gives you a specific variety to compare with other cocktail nuts.
  • An own-brand listing isn’t proof of a lower fat content. Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging, as product information can change.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Cocktail Nuts in a 300 g pack.

  • The product description says they’re peanuts with a crunchy coating.
  • The product type alone tells you nothing about whether the ingredients are low in fat.

Lidl

Lidl has a Dutch product listing for cocktail nuts.

  • The listing confirms that cocktail nuts are part of its range.
  • The listing doesn’t show that the ingredients are more favourable than those of other varieties.

ALDI

ALDI lists TRADER JOE'S Cocktail Nuts in bacon and cheese, poesta or paprika flavours, in 300 g bags.

  • The listing includes several flavours in a pack designed for sharing.
  • ALDI is the supermarket and TRADER JOE'S is the brand listed. Check the nutrition information for the exact flavour.

PLUS

PLUS lists Mild Cocktail Nuts in a 300 g bag.

  • The product page gives the pack size and lists Nutri-Score C and vegetarian.
  • These details don’t prove that the variety is low in fat; check the total fat per 100 g for that.

Cocktail nuts at Joybuy

This Joybuy selection includes bags of cocktail nuts for sharing with guests. The listed fat content is above the limit for a ‘low fat’ claim, so check the ingredients if that claim is important to you.

g'woon Spicy Cocktail Nuts 300 g

g'woon Spicy Cocktail Nuts 300 g

The sharing bag could suit a get-together with guests, while you weigh out your own portion separately.

The product information lists 300 g and 30,49 g of fat per 100 g. This variety doesn’t meet the limit for a ‘low fat’ claim.

View at Joybuy
g'woon Cocktail Nuts Provencal Bag 300 g

g'woon Cocktail Nuts Provencal Bag 300 g

The product description suggests serving these at parties. You can buy the bag for your guests and weigh out your own portion separately.

The product information lists 300 g and 32,4 g of fat per 100 g. This variety doesn’t meet the limit for a ‘low fat’ claim.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does eating less fat mean a snack with drinks always needs to carry a ‘low fat’ claim?

No. A nutrition goal and the ‘low fat’ product claim aren’t the same thing. For solid foods, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for this claim; your personal nutrition goal isn’t defined by that limit.

Can I use the nutrition information for one flavour for all flavours?

No, use the nutrition information for the exact flavour and pack. The details for Duyvis Provençaals 275 g don’t automatically apply to Cocktail or other varieties.

How do I work out how much fat is in my portion?

Multiply the number of grams you weigh out by the fat content per 100 g, then divide the result by 100. At 35 g of fat per 100 g, 25 g of this specific Duyvis Provençaals variety contains 8,75 g of fat by calculation. This is an example calculation, not a recommended portion.

How do I choose a suitable bag for a get-together?

Choose a net weight that matches how much you expect to serve the group, and keep your own portion separate. Duyvis lists Cocktail packs from 125 g to 1000 g; the bag size doesn’t change the nutrition information per gram.

What should I check if I’m buying for guests with allergies?

For the exact variety, read both the ingredients list and any warnings about possible traces on the current packaging. The NVWA explains allergen labelling on packaging; don’t assume that information for one flavour also applies to another.