Compare cocktail nuts by their energy per 100 g, and weigh the portion you actually eat: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 133 kcal per 25 g as a general reference. A smaller portion does not make a product low in energy; according to the European Commission, solid foods must contain no more than 40 kcal per 100 g to make that claim. Also consider which pack size suits your needs and student budget, and enjoy cocktail nuts as a snack alongside your evening meal.
You want to keep enjoying cocktail nuts while keeping an eye on the energy in the portion you weigh out. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 133 kcal per 25 g as a general reference; this is not the product value for every flavour or pack size.
You want to choose an amount that suits how much you plan to use and your food shopping budget. A larger pack also means keeping more in stock at home.
You want a savoury snack, but don’t want to confuse it with the basis of a meal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, cocktail nuts are not included in the Wheel of Five, whereas unsalted nuts are.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Compare the kcal per 100 g on the label and weigh the portion you eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general reference for cocktail nuts is 133 kcal per 25 g. | I want to know how much energy is in the portion I’ve weighed out, not just what it says on the front of the pack. That’s why around 34% of consumers give the energy in a portion top priority. |
| Pack size and budget | Choose a net weight that suits how much you plan to use and what fits your food shopping budget. | I want to choose a pack size that suits how much I use and my student budget. Around 33% of consumers say budget is the most important factor in this choice. |
| A snack alongside a meal | Consider the snack in the context of your eating habits. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes cocktail nuts, which are outside the Wheel of Five, from unsalted nuts, which are included. | I’m looking for something savoury to have alongside dinner and don’t want to treat it as a meal. Around 20% of consumers prioritise where a snack fits alongside a meal. |
| Flavour and ingredients | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety. A vegan label or flavour name alone tells you nothing about the energy per 100 g. | I want to choose a flavour and ingredients that suit my preferences, and check for allergens if that’s relevant to me. Around 13% of consumers give flavour and ingredients top priority. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general reference, a 25 g portion of cocktail nuts contains 133 kcal. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a limit of no more than 40 kcal per 100 g for the ‘low energy’ claim.
Keep the energy per 100 g separate from the amount you eat. Call a smaller portion a smaller portion, not a low-energy product.
A larger pack means keeping more in stock and having a plan for what to do with the rest once it’s opened.
Choose an amount that suits your needs and follow the storage instructions on the label.
A dietary or ingredients claim is not proof of lower energy content. Duyvis describes Oriental as a curry-flavoured variety with no artificial colourings; that alone tells you nothing about its calories.
Use these claims only for the preference they relate to, and compare the energy content separately on the label.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes cocktail nuts from unsalted nuts included in the Wheel of Five.
Think of cocktail nuts as a snack, and also consider the rest of your evening meal and eating habits.
Duyvis describes its Borrelnootjes Oriental as peanuts with a crunchy coating and curry flavour; the pack size mentioned is 275 g.
The own-brand range includes AH Cocktail Nuts and AH Provencale Cocktail Nuts.
The Cocktail varieties mentioned are available in 300 g and 500 g packs.
Cocktail nuts are one of the product categories in Lidl’s range.
The TRADER JOE’S cocktail nuts mentioned are available in flavours such as bacon and cheese, poesta and paprika.
The own-brand range includes Mild, Ham Kaas and Provencaals in 300 g packs; the Provencaals variety is labelled vegan.
These Joybuy products are Duyvis cocktail nuts in a range of flavours and pack sizes. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a limit of no more than 40 kcal per 100 g for the ‘low energy’ claim; the energy figures listed for these products are higher than that.
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A savoury snack option if you want to take the flavour variety into account when choosing.
Energy listed: 539 kcal per 100 g. This is above the limit for the ‘low energy’ claim for solid foods.
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An option if you’re looking for peanuts with a crunchy coating and curry flavour.
Energy listed: 539 kcal per 100 g. This is above the limit for the ‘low energy’ claim for solid foods.
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A smaller pack with Provencale flavour, for anyone looking specifically for this variety.
Energy listed: 527 kcal per 100 g. The product information also gives a portion size of 30 g; this is above the limit for the ‘low energy’ claim for solid foods.
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A savoury variety to consider if Provençal flavour suits your tastes.
Energy listed: 542 kcal per 100 g. This is above the limit for the ‘low energy’ claim for solid foods.
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An option if you’re looking for seasoned peanuts with a BBQ paprika flavour.
Energy listed: 535 kcal per 100 g. This is above the limit for the ‘low energy’ claim for solid foods.
According to the European Commission, solid foods must contain no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g to make the ‘low energy’ claim. A smaller portion does not change the energy value per 100 g.
No. According to the European Commission, a reduced energy value claim requires at least 30% less energy, and the property responsible for the reduction must be stated. This is a different requirement from the limit for ‘low energy’.
Multiply the kcal per 100 g on the label of your variety by the number of grams you’ve weighed out, then divide by 100. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 133 kcal per 25 g portion as a general reference for cocktail nuts; for a specific variety, use its own nutritional information.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre places cocktail nuts outside the Wheel of Five and unsalted nuts inside it. This distinction does not prove that unsalted nuts automatically contain fewer calories.
Before serving, check the current label for the exact flavour. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products must be shown on the label; a vegan label is no substitute for checking.
