If you have a peanut allergy, peanuts aren’t a suitable cycling snack, even if the packaging says ‘gluten-free’ or ‘unsalted’. If you avoid another ingredient and can eat peanuts, check the ingredients, allergen information and relevant dietary claim for the exact product. Also choose according to when you’ll eat it and its nutritional values: an everyday snack isn’t automatically suitable fuel for prolonged, intense exercise.
If you have a peanut allergy, start by avoiding peanuts and checking relevant cross-contamination information; sports claims are no substitute for these checks. Stichting Voedselallergie states that peanut allergens remain stable when heated.
If you can eat peanuts but avoid, for example, gluten or milk ingredients, check the information for the exact finished product. Lactose intolerance and cow’s milk allergy require different assessments, as Voedingscentrum explains.
If you can eat peanuts, your choice will partly depend on when you’re eating and what you want from your snack. Voedingscentrum distinguishes between shorter exercise and prolonged, intense training.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Peanuts and cross-contamination | Check the ingredients for peanuts and read any relevant cross-contamination warning too. Dutch rules for these warnings have applied since 1 January 2026, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. | If I have a peanut allergy, I want to rule out peanuts and relevant cross-contamination; this is the top priority for around 33% of consumers who prioritise allergen safety. |
| A specific ingredient to avoid | First identify which ingredient you need to avoid, then check the corresponding ingredients list, allergen information and claim. | If I avoid gluten, lactose or milk proteins, I want to know which information is relevant to my specific diet; around 27% of consumers prioritise this kind of dietary need. |
| Snack timing and exercise | Compare carbohydrate and fat values on the same basis, and consider the portion and when you’ll eat it. Voedingscentrum recommends comparing nutritional values per 100 g. | If I’m having a snack during or around an intense bike ride, I want to know whether its nutritional values suit the occasion; around 27% of consumers give top priority to food that matches their level of exertion. |
| Unsalted option | Check the exact variety and compare nutritional values per 100 g; ‘unsalted’ is not an allergen statement. | If I can eat peanuts and am mainly looking for an unsalted snack, I focus on the variety and nutritional information; around 13% of consumers put this snack preference first. |
A gluten-free label or an unsalted variety doesn’t mean a product is free from peanuts or other allergens. Peanuts are an allergen in their own right.
First establish which ingredient you need to avoid, then check the packaging information for the exact product.
Lactose intolerance relates to milk sugar, while cow’s milk allergy involves milk proteins. So a lactose-free label alone doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with a cow’s milk allergy.
Check which of these ingredients you need to avoid, then assess the product information accordingly.
For Duyvis Ongezouten Pinda Noten 235 g, Flink Nederland lists 52 g of fat and 11 g of carbohydrate per 100 g. These product values don’t prove that the peanuts are suitable for replenishing carbohydrates during exercise.
Compare nutritional values per 100 g, and match your portion and snack timing to your ride. Voedingscentrum advises against eating a large portion high in fat, protein or fibre shortly before exercise.
An everyday snack won’t automatically meet your nutritional needs during prolonged, intense exercise.
Albert Heijn and PLUS warn that product information, including dietary and allergy information, can change.
Even when buying a product again, check the current packaging before using it.
Duyvis offers unsalted and salted peanuts, as well as marinated and coated varieties.
Albert Heijn sells a separate variety called AH Ongezouten pinda’s.
Jumbo lists both Jumbo Pinda’s Ongezouten 250 g and a separate Duyvis variety weighing 235 g.
Lidl lists 285 g of unsalted peanuts and describes this variety as available in store only.
Aldi lists Trader Joe’s roasted, unsalted peanuts in a 250 g pack.
PLUS lists PLUS Pinda’s ongezouten 250 gram.
The products below are peanut-based snacks, including unsalted peanuts and granola with peanuts. They aren’t suitable for anyone with a peanut allergy. For other dietary needs, check the full ingredients and allergen information on the exact product packaging.
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A good choice for an everyday snack if you can eat peanuts and are looking for an unsalted variety.
The product information lists peanuts and sunflower oil, and notes that traces of cashews may be present.
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A snack option if you can eat peanuts and are looking for peanuts in their shells.
The product information lists peanuts and notes that traces of nuts may be present.
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A suitable snack if you can eat peanuts and are looking for roasted, unsalted peanuts.
The product information lists peanuts as an ingredient; this product isn’t suitable for anyone with a peanut allergy.
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A granola option if you can eat peanuts and are looking for a product with ‘Glutenfree’ in its name.
The product information lists peanuts and oats, and notes that traces of almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans and soya may be present. Check the packaging for the dietary and allergen information that’s relevant to you.
The Dutch Coeliac Society includes peanuts among foods that are naturally gluten-free. This isn’t a general guarantee for every seasoned, coated or otherwise prepared product, so check the label on the finished product.
No. Stichting Voedselallergie states that peanut allergens remain stable when heated. So don’t use roasting or baking as a safety test if you have a peanut allergy.
No. Lactose intolerance relates to milk sugar, while cow’s milk allergy involves milk proteins. So a lactose-free label alone doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with a cow’s milk allergy.
No. According to Voedingscentrum, sports bars and energy gels aren’t necessary if you exercise for less than an hour. They can help you maintain your energy during prolonged, intense training; check each product’s suitability for your diet individually.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label. Check the packaging of the exact product and read any relevant cross-contamination information too.
