Who is this choice relevant to?

Portion-conscious snackers

You want to keep eating cocktail nuts but limit how much energy you consume per snack. Compare like-for-like portions, and don’t mistake a smaller portion for a low-calorie product.

Budget-conscious own-brand shoppers

You want to choose cocktail nuts that suit your budget. Compare pack sizes, flavours and nutritional information rather than judging by the bag alone.

Label-conscious hosts

You’re choosing for yourself or your guests and pay attention to ingredients, allergens and flavour options. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) explains which allergens must be listed on the label; always check the exact packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

What to consider What should you look for? Who is this important for?
Energy per portion Check the kcal per 100 g and weigh your portion. Calculate the energy for that amount using kcal per 100 g × portion weight / 100. If I want to keep my snack smaller, I weigh out the amount and compare equal portions. Around 36% of consumers prioritise energy per portion.
Pack size and budget Compare pack sizes and choose an amount that suits how you plan to use them. If I want to keep my snack spending under control, I consider how much I actually want to buy and use. Around 36% of consumers prioritise budget.
Flavour and size Check the exact flavour, the salt per 100 g, and whether the pack is suitable for sharing or for several snack occasions. If I’m looking for a particular flavour or a pack for a specific occasion, I check the variety and size. Around 14% of consumers prioritise flavour and a suitable pack size.
Allergens and ingredients Read the ingredients list and warnings on the packaging for the exact variety; note the difference between allergens that are present and those that may be present. If I’m choosing cocktail nuts for myself or guests, I check whether the ingredients are suitable for any relevant allergies. Around 14% of consumers prioritise allergen suitability.

Common pitfalls

  • Mistaking a small portion for a low-calorie product

    Eating less reduces the energy in that portion, but doesn’t change the energy value per 100 g. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for a low-calorie claim.

    Weigh your portion and describe the amount you eat; don’t call ordinary cocktail nuts low calorie just because you’re having a small portion.

  • Looking only at the size of the bag

    The varieties in this comparison don’t all come in the same pack size. So a bag doesn’t always contain the same amount of cocktail nuts.

    Compare the pack sizes and decide in advance how much you want to use, for example for one snack or to share.

  • Taking a flavour name or colourant claim as a nutritional benefit

    ‘Mild’ describes the flavour. Duyvis states that its Cocktail variety contains no artificial colourings; that alone says nothing about its energy value.

    Consider flavour and any information about colourings separately from kcal, salt and the amount you eat.

  • Assuming allergens based on the brand or another flavour

    The varieties checked differ in the allergens listed on their labels. Another flavour or pack may have a different ingredients list.

    For every purchase, read the ingredients and warnings on the packaging for the exact variety.

Brands to compare

Duyvis

An option if you’re specifically looking for Duyvis Cocktail or want to choose from different pack sizes.

  • Duyvis lists Cocktail packs of 125 g, 275 g, 500 g and 1000 g. The label for the 275 g variety states 541 kcal per 100 g.
  • The manufacturer’s claim that it contains no artificial colourings doesn’t mean the variety is low calorie.

Albert Heijn

AH Cocktail 300 g is an own-brand variety to compare for label information and flavour.

  • The AH label states 532 kcal and 1.68 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The ingredients information lists milk, peanuts and wheat; check the label on the pack you buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo Cocktail 300 g is an own-brand option if you want to compare its flavour and label information.

  • The Jumbo label states 527 kcal and 1.63 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The nutritional values apply to the Cocktail variety checked and don’t necessarily apply to other Jumbo flavours.

PLUS

PLUS Mild 300 g is an own-brand variety for anyone looking for a mild flavour.

  • The label states 528 kcal and 1.438 g of salt per 100 g.
  • Mild describes the flavour, not a lower energy value; the ingredients information lists milk and celery, among other things.

ALDI

A supermarket option offering TRADER JOE'S cocktail nuts in varieties such as Oriental, Provençale and Cocktail.

  • The Dutch product page lists a 300 g pack and several flavour options.
  • Check the label for the specific variety for nutritional values and allergen information.

Lidl

A supermarket option to consider if you’re looking for cocktail nuts in Lidl’s range.

  • Lidl has a Dutch product range page for cocktail nuts.
  • Compare the flavour, pack size and nutritional information on the packaging of the variety you’re considering.

Cocktail nuts on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are these cocktail nuts really low calorie?

No. The labels for the four varieties compared state 527–541 kcal per 100 g. According to the European Commission, solid foods can only carry a low-calorie claim if they contain no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g. A smaller portion is not the same as a low-calorie product.

How do I compare labels with different portion sizes?

First compare the kcal per 100 g, then calculate the values for the same weighed amount of each variety. The Duyvis variety in this comparison lists a 30 g portion; AH and Jumbo use 25 g. For 25 g of a product with 541 kcal per 100 g, the calculation is 541 × 25 / 100 = 135.25 kcal.

How should I store an opened bag of cocktail nuts?

Follow the instructions for the exact variety. Albert Heijn recommends storing the pack in a cool, dark, dry place and sealing it well; Duyvis recommends using a light- and airtight container after opening. These instructions don’t specify a general number of days for how long the product will keep once opened.

Do allergens have to be listed on labels in the Netherlands?

Yes. According to the NVWA, the 14 allergens that must be declared have to be listed in the ingredients list. If you have a relevant allergy, check the packaging for the exact variety: the cocktail nuts in this comparison may list milk or celery, for example, as well as peanuts and wheat.

Are cocktail nuts suitable as a snack for young children?

The product information checked for Albert Heijn, Duyvis and PLUS warns that young children can choke on peanuts. These products are therefore not recommended as children’s snacks; check the warning on the packaging of the variety you have.