If you want less fat for your Christmas drinks party, look for a clear fat claim and check the nutritional information for the exact product variant. The word ‘light’ on its own doesn’t mean that the fat content is lower. If your main aim is to control how much you serve, decide on a portion and use the nutritional information per 100 g to work it out. This doesn’t make regular cocktail nuts a lower-fat product.
You mainly want to buy cocktail nuts with less fat for your Christmas drinks party, and to tell the difference between a fat claim and a general ‘light’ label. The Voedingscentrum explains that ‘light’ can refer to energy, fat or sugars.
You want to serve familiar cocktail nuts and match the nutritional information, portion size and pack size. Jumbo lists various pack weights, while PLUS provides nutritional information for each flavour.
Check the allergen information and warnings on the packaging for each flavour. The NVWA explains allergen information for pre-packed products; a lower fat content alone says nothing about whether a product is suitable for someone with an allergy.
When choosing cocktail nuts with less fat in mind, it’s important to assess the claim, portion size and your guests’ needs separately.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Does the product really contain less fat? | Check what ‘light’ refers to and compare the fat content per 100 g for the exact product variant. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘light’ can mean at least 30% less energy, fat or sugars. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for the ‘low fat’ claim. | If a lower fat content is your deciding factor, you’ll want to make sure the claim really relates to fat. Around 31% of consumers making this choice put reducing fat at the top of their buying priorities. |
| Nutritional information and portion size | Compare the figures per 100 g, then calculate them for the same portion size. PLUS lists 32.7 g of fat and 528 kcal per 100 g for Borrelnoten Mild; for Oriëntaalse stijl, PLUS lists 32.37 g of fat and 526 kcal per 100 g. Check the exact pack. | If your main aim is to manage the amount and energy you serve, use the figures for the flavour you’ve chosen. Around 25% of consumers making this choice prioritise energy and serving size. |
| Allergens by flavour | Read the ingredients, allergen information and precautionary warnings on every pack. For Mild, PLUS also lists milk and celery; for Oriëntaalse stijl, it lists peanuts and wheat. Warnings about other nuts are listed separately. | If you’re buying for a guest with a known allergy, check the specific product variant and pack. Around 19% of consumers making this choice put allergen suitability at the top of their buying priorities. |
| Choosing a flavour | Choose the flavour separately from the nutritional profile: a flavour name isn’t proof that a product contains less fat. Duyvis lists flavours including Cocktail, Provencale, Poesta and Oriental; PLUS describes Mild as mild and Oriëntaalse stijl as spicy. | If you’re mainly looking for a flavour your guests will enjoy or a bit of variety, check the flavour description as well as the information for the product variant you’ve chosen. Around 13% of consumers making this choice put flavour at the top of their buying priorities. |
| Packaging and ordering | First work out how much you need, then compare the pack weights. Jumbo lists packs including 300 g and 500 g; also check the retailer’s ordering terms and delivery times. | If your main aim is to buy enough cocktail nuts conveniently, choose a pack size and ordering method that suit your party. Around 12% of consumers making this choice prioritise quantity and convenience. |
According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘light’ can refer to energy, fat or sugars. So one label won’t necessarily answer all your questions about the nutritional information.
Check what the claim refers to and look at fat and energy separately.
For PLUS, ‘Mild’ describes the flavour. The packaging lists 32.7 g of fat and 528 kcal per 100 g for PLUS Borrelnoten Mild.
Consider flavour and nutritional information as separate buying factors.
Allergen information varies between PLUS products: Mild lists milk and celery, among other things, while Oriëntaalse stijl has its own ingredients and warnings.
If you’re buying for guests with a known allergy, check each pack individually.
A minimum order value may mean that a few bags can’t be ordered on their own. PLUS lists this kind of condition in its ordering information.
Check the terms and delivery time for your chosen retailer. With PLUS, a small order may mean adding other groceries to your basket.
These brands and retailers give you a starting point for comparing flavours and pack sizes. Their inclusion doesn’t in itself mean a lower fat content or availability at Joybuy.
According to Duyvis, its Borrelnootjes range includes several flavours, including Cocktail, Provencale, Poesta and Oriental.
Albert Heijn lists AH Borrelnoten cocktail as one of its own-brand products.
Jumbo lists its own cocktail nuts, including Cocktail in a 300 g pack and Cocktail and Provençale in 500 g packs.
Lidl lists Duyvis Borrelnootjes; this is a Duyvis product, not a Lidl own-brand product.
Aldi lists TRADER JOE'S cocktail nuts in Oriental, Provençale and Cocktail flavours, in 300 g packs.
PLUS lists Borrelnoten Mild and Oriëntaalse stijl, both in 300 g bags, with nutritional and allergen information for each variant.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘light’ can mean at least 30% less energy, fat or sugars than the regular product. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for the ‘low fat’ claim. So check which property the packaging is referring to.
First compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then work out the figures for the amount you’ll serve. Multiply the value per 100 g by the portion weight and divide by 100. The weight of the bag isn’t the same as a recommended portion size.
This kind of warning indicates that an allergen may be present unintentionally. Read it alongside the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. If someone has a known allergy, don’t rely on the flavour name or information for another variant.
The packaging for PLUS Mild warns that young children may choke on peanuts. Bear this product warning in mind if young children will be there; a fat claim, if there is one, doesn’t change that risk.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the variant you buy. For 45 g bags of Duyvis Provencale, HANOS advises storing them in a cool, dry place and, once opened, preferably in a lightproof, airtight container. This specific advice doesn’t automatically apply to other products.
