Compare cocktail nuts by their protein content per 100 g and by the portion you actually eat; a larger bag will usually mean a larger snack portion too. For an equivalent 25 g portion, four labels checked provide around 3.35–3.75 g of protein, calculated from the values given by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS, and on the Duyvis label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre emphasises that protein counts as part of your overall diet; this comparison of labels doesn’t show any difference in recovery.
You want to know how much protein your snack really adds after exercise. Consider your overall diet and the portion you eat; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, recreational athletes don’t automatically need special protein products.
You want a measured snack for the journey, without treating a whole sharing bag as one portion. Individual bags and portions weighed out yourself are two practical options.
You’re taking a larger bag for several people or stops, and want to consider allergens as well as how to close and store it after opening.
First compare the nutritional values for the same quantity, then consider the portion, packaging and information on the label for the exact flavour.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who might consider this more important? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per portion | Compare per 100 g, then work out the amount in your own portion. For 25 g, the checked Duyvis, AH, Jumbo and PLUS versions provide 3.75 g, 3.5 g, 3.35 g and 3.425 g of protein respectively, calculated from the product labels. | If I want to know what my snack adds after exercise, I look at how much I eat and my overall diet. Around 31% of consumers put protein content first. |
| Portion and energy | AH cocktail and Jumbo cocktail list a 25 g portion; the Duyvis Provencale 20-pack contains 45 g bags. The AH and Duyvis labels therefore give 133 kcal per 25 g and 243.9 kcal per 45 g bag respectively. | If I want to eat a suitable amount on the go, I consider the weight of one snack portion and its nutritional values. Around 25% of consumers consider portion size and energy the most important factors. |
| Packaging and storage | Check the number and weight of individual bags, or the net weight of a sharing bag. Follow the storage advice on the exact packaging; AH recommends closing the pack after use. | If I want to share or store the snack between stops, the type of packaging matters to me. Around 19% of consumers give travel convenience top priority. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the ingredients and allergen information for each flavour. The versions checked differ; Duyvis Provencale, for example, states that it may contain milk, nuts, soya and mustard. | If I’m travelling with someone who has an allergy or dietary restriction, I check the information on that exact pack. Around 13% of consumers name dietary suitability as their main consideration. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) says allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed products. |
| Cost per quantity | Compare the price per kilogram and the weight you need; packaging convenience and nutritional values are separate factors to consider. | If I mainly want to know how much the quantity I need for my trip will cost, I compare packs of the same weight. Around 12% of consumers name the cost of the quantity they need as their top priority. |
A larger portion contains more protein, but also more product and energy. On its own, this difference says nothing about the composition per equal quantity.
First compare per 100 g or for the same calculated portion, then work out what you’ll get from your own snack portion.
The PLUS Mild version is labelled vegetarian but lists milk; AH cocktail also lists milk. This information applies to the specific versions mentioned.
If you have dietary restrictions, read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact flavour. Don’t rely on a dietary label instead of checking these details.
Packs with the same brand or flavour name can have different contents. The values Joybuy lists for Duyvis Provencale 125 g and 275 g are not the same.
Check the net weight, ingredients and nutritional values on each pack. Don’t assume information from another pack applies.
A box of individual bags and a larger sharing bag are used differently, even if you compare them by weight.
Compare the quantity you need on the same weight basis, and consider how easy it is to portion out separately.
The range includes Cocktail, Provencale and Oriental flavours. For the Provencale version in a pack of 20 × 45 g, Albert Heijn lists 15 g of protein per 100 g.
The AH cocktail nuts checked come in a 300 g bag. The label lists a 25 g portion and 14 g of protein per 100 g.
The Jumbo Borrelnoten Cocktail checked comes in a 300 g sharing bag. Jumbo lists 13.4 g of protein per 100 g, with nutritional values also given per 25 g.
The PLUS Borrelnoten Mild checked comes in a 300 g bag. The label lists 13.7 g of protein per 100 g and carries a vegetarian label.
The Dutch product page describes TRADER JOE'S Borrelnoten cocktail in a 300 g pack.
Lidl lists cocktail nuts in several varieties. The product page for item 154224 describes 300 g packs sold in store.
These products may be relevant if you’re looking for a snack for the journey; check whether each product’s category, ingredients and portion size suit your choice of cocktail nuts.
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These are walnuts, not cocktail nuts; choose them only if you’re also considering a different type of snack.
Net weight: 128 g.
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This sharing bag may suit you if you want to weigh out your own portion; compare the nutritional values with the amount you eat.
Net weight: 275 g. Protein: 15 g per 100 g. Energy: 542 kcal per 100 g.
Contains peanuts and wheat; may also contain milk, nuts, soya and mustard.
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A sharing bag may work well if you want to take several portions or share them; weigh out your own portion.
Net weight: 300 g. Protein: 13.6 g per 100 g.
Contains peanuts and wheat; may contain traces of nuts.
Multiply the grams of protein per 100 g by the weight of your portion, then divide by 100. For a 25 g portion of AH cocktail nuts: 14 × 25 ÷ 100 = 3.5 g of protein. Use the same portion size when comparing products.
These product labels don’t show any difference in recovery. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre emphasises getting enough protein as part of your overall diet and says recreational athletes generally don’t need special protein products.
Follow the storage advice on the exact pack. The labels checked recommend storing the product in a cool, dry place; AH recommends closing the pack after use, while Duyvis suggests keeping an opened bag in a light- and airtight container. This isn’t advice to leave the snack in a warm car indefinitely.
Check the ingredients, listed allergens and any warnings about possible cross-contamination for the exact flavour. According to the NVWA, allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed products. The versions checked differ, including in whether they list milk and celery.
