To keep extra calories to a minimum with your sandwich, start by weighing out a portion. Five products checked contain 527–542 kcal per 100 g, so they do not meet the European criteria for a low-calorie claim. The differences are small for the same quantity, so flavour, allergens and packaging that suits how you use the product may also influence your choice.
You fancy some cocktail nuts with your sandwich, but want to keep extra energy to a minimum. Compare the same quantity and decide how much you want to eat; the products checked differ very little in energy per 100 g. Product values are from PLUS, Jumbo and Albert Heijn.
You want a pack that’s easy to take with you, without accidentally counting the whole pack as one portion. The Duyvis varieties checked come in 125 g bags, but how much you actually eat still matters. Packaging information is from PLUS.
You buy a larger bag and divide it up for different lunch occasions. The own-brand varieties checked come in 300 g packs; check the nutritional values for the exact variety and follow the storage instructions. Product information is from Jumbo, PLUS and Albert Heijn.
This guide is for shoppers considering cocktail nuts to go with a sandwich bought for lunch.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Comparing calories | Compare kcal per 100 g for the exact flavour and pack. Then work out how much you want to eat. | If you mainly want to limit the extra energy alongside your sandwich, start by comparing the same quantity. Around 36% of shoppers prioritise comparing energy. |
| Choosing a portion | Consider the net weight separately from your portion. Weigh some out at home if you don’t want to eat from the whole bag. | If you want to decide in advance how many cocktail nuts to have with lunch, the amount you weigh out matters more than the pack size. Around 29% of shoppers prioritise portion control. |
| Flavour and allergens | Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact flavour; a flavour name doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with an allergy. | If you’re looking for a particular flavour or need to avoid allergens, check the packaging before choosing. Around 21% of shoppers focus mainly on flavour and convenience at lunchtime. |
| Packaging and storage | Check whether the pack can be resealed securely after opening, and follow the storage instructions. | If you want to divide the contents between different lunches, storage after opening is part of your decision. Around 14% of shoppers prioritise practical packaging and storage. |
A smaller pack doesn’t change the number of kcal per 100 g. The Duyvis Cocktail variety checked contains 541 kcal per 100 g, according to PLUS.
Distinguish between eating a smaller amount and choosing a product with a low-calorie claim. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for this claim.
A value per portion depends on the number of grams used for that portion. So two portion values aren’t necessarily directly comparable.
First compare values per 100 g, then calculate the options for the same portion weight.
The Duyvis Cocktail and Provençale varieties checked have different allergen information. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed products.
For the exact flavour, read both the ingredients and the information about the possible presence of allergens.
According to product information from PLUS, the Cocktail and Provençale varieties checked are available in 125 g bags.
The AH Cocktail variety checked comes in a 300 g bag, with a stated portion size of 25 g.
The Jumbo Cocktail variety checked comes in a 300 g pack and can be divided up for different occasions.
Lidl’s product page lists cocktail nuts in different 300 g varieties.
ALDI’s product page lists Trader Joe’s cocktail nuts in Oriental, Provençale or Cocktail flavours, in 300 g bags.
The PLUS Borrelnoten Mild variety checked comes in a 300 g pack.
These product picks focus on 275 g Duyvis varieties for anyone considering a particular flavour and portions for more than one occasion.
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A good choice if you’re looking for cocktail nuts with a mild curry flavour and want to divide the pack between several occasions.
Pack size: 275 g. The product information recommends resealing the pack securely after opening. Contains peanuts, gluten (wheat and barley) and soya; may contain milk, nuts and mustard.
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A good choice if you’re looking for an onion and garlic flavour. Check the allergen information if it’s important to your choice.
Pack size: 275 g. The product information lists 542 kcal and 1,3 g salt per 100 g. Contains peanuts and wheat; may contain milk, nuts, soya and mustard.
Multiply the kcal per 100 g by the weight of your portion, then divide by 100. For 25 g of Jumbo Cocktail, that’s 527 × 25 ÷ 100 = 131,75 kcal. For another variety, use the value on the label or product information for that exact variety.
No, the net weight isn’t the same as the amount you eat. If you eat the whole 125 g bag of Duyvis Cocktail checked, it comes to 676,25 kcal based on the PLUS value of 541 kcal per 100 g; 25 g comes to 135,25 kcal.
Follow the instructions for the exact variety. For Duyvis Cocktail, PLUS recommends storing it in a cool, dry place and transferring the contents to a light- and airtight container after opening. Albert Heijn recommends storing AH Cocktail in a cool, dark, dry place and closing the pack securely.
Check the allergen information on the pack for the exact flavour. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must appear on the label of pre-packed products. The Duyvis Cocktail checked contains peanuts, wheat and milk; the Provençale variety contains peanuts and wheat and lists the possible presence of milk.
Eating a small portion doesn’t make the product low-calorie under the criteria for this claim. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g. The five varieties checked contain 527–542 kcal per 100 g, so it’s better to describe the amount you eat and its nutritional value.
