Mindful portion snackers
For people who want to keep eating dried fruit while weighing and comparing the energy in their snacks.
Who is this guide for?
Sugar-conscious label readers
For people who want to spot added sugar and check total sugars and energy as well as the ingredients.
People who get their shopping delivered
For people who want to order dried fruit with their regular shopping and take local availability and ordering conditions into account.
What should you look for?
Start with the energy per 100 g and work it out for the amount you actually want to eat. Then check the ingredients, storage instructions and whether the supermarket delivers to your address.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Compare kcal per 100 g and work this out for the amount you weigh. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day. | If I want to limit the energy in my snack, I weigh my portion rather than relying on a handful. Around 33% of consumers prioritise energy per portion. |
| Added sugar | Check both the ingredients list and the nutrition table: total sugars and added sugar are not the same thing. | If I want to avoid added sugar, I check the ingredients and also look at the total sugars. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Delivery and order costs | Check delivery availability for your postcode, your chosen delivery slot, any minimum order and the delivery charges. | If I want my dried fruit delivered with my regular shopping, I want to know whether delivery is available to my address and what the whole basket will cost. Around 27% of consumers prioritise delivery convenience. |
| Packaging and storage | Compare the net weight with how much you use, and follow the storage instructions for the exact product, including after opening. | For small, regular snack breaks, I want packaging that suits how much I eat and the way I can store it. Around 13% of consumers prioritise packaging and storage. |
| Allergens | Check the latest allergen information and any may-contain warnings on the product and packaging. | If an allergen is relevant to me, the ingredients and allergen information matter more than a difference in energy. Around 7% of consumers consider this their top priority. |
Common buying mistakes
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Confusing a small portion with a low-energy product
A smaller portion reduces the amount of energy you eat, but it does not change the product’s energy value per 100 g.
First compare the values per 100 g, then work them out for the same weighed amount. A small portion is not proof that a product can be described as low in energy.
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Assuming all dried fruit is unsweetened
The Jumbo cranberry product reviewed lists cranberries, sugar and sunflower oil in its ingredients.
Check the ingredients for the exact product; the name of the fruit does not tell you whether sugar has been added.
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Mistaking an online product page for a delivery service
Lidl and Dirk say they do not deliver groceries. So online product information does not automatically mean you can have your shopping delivered to your home.
Check how to order before comparing products, and see whether you can add them to a planned grocery order.
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Comparing the portion sizes on labels directly
For the apricots reviewed, Jumbo gives nutrition information per 20 g, while for its prunes it gives information per 30 g. These portions are not directly comparable.
Use the values per 100 g as a common basis, then work out the energy for the same amount.
Supermarkets to consider
Albert Heijn
An online grocery ordering option, with products including soaked dried apricots.
- The Albert Heijn product page gives an energy value of 182 kcal per 100 g for the soaked apricots reviewed.
- This product should be refrigerated after opening; check the label for the storage instructions.
Jumbo
Order online or collect your shopping, with a range of dried fruit to choose from.
- The product pages reviewed provide information including ingredients, energy and sugars.
- According to the ingredients list, Jumbo cranberries contain sugar; check each product separately.
PLUS
Grocery delivery through a selected PLUS store, with products including dried apricots.
- The information for the apricots reviewed lists total and added sugars separately.
- Product availability and delivery conditions may depend on the selected store and order.
Lidl
A shop option featuring dried apricots in its snack inspiration.
- Lidl Netherlands includes dried apricots in its snack inspiration for eating on the go.
- Lidl Netherlands says it does not sell groceries through its website or app and does not offer a grocery delivery service. Its snack inspiration is not an independent product test.
ALDI
A shop-based option with online tools to help you plan your shopping.
- ALDI Netherlands offers online shopping preparation and lists sun-dried prunes with a shopping-list feature.
- Supermarkt Bezorgservice says it is not possible to order groceries online from ALDI, so do not treat the store listing as confirmation of home delivery.
Dirk
A shop-based alternative in the selected group of supermarkets.
- Dirk can be included when comparing shops.
- Dirk says it does not currently deliver groceries to your home.
Dried fruit at Joybuy
Dried fruit options to compare by weighed portion for snacking.
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Haoxiangni Pitted Jujubes 500g
An option for working out the energy in a weighed snack portion.
Declared energy: 300 kcal per 100 g. The title specifies pitted jujubes.
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7FRESH Pitted Prunes 430g
An option if you want to compare pitted prunes and portion information.
Declared energy: 283 kcal per 100 g; sugars: 24.5 g per 100 g. The ingredients list fructose syrup.
The description mentions individual 65 g packs.
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Haoxiangni No-Wash Red Jujube with Pit (Grade 2) 450g
A snack option if you are looking for a product with stones and want to work out the energy per portion.
Declared energy: 331 kcal per 100 g. The title specifies jujubes with stones.
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Haoxiangni Grade A Wash-Free Jujubes 500g
An option to compare if you are looking for jujubes that, according to the product description, can be eaten without washing.
Declared energy: 304 kcal per 100 g.
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Three Squirrels Red Apricot Dried 250g
An apricot option to compare by energy and ingredients.
Declared energy: 311 kcal per 100 g. The ingredients list added sugar, malt syrup and sulphites.
The description mentions resealable packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Does no added sugar also mean fewer calories?
No. The claim tells you something about added ingredients, not about all sugars or the total energy. The PLUS apricots reviewed list 0 g of added sugar and 53.4 g of total sugars per 100 g, as well as 254 kcal per 100 g.
How do I compare the energy in a snack portion?
Use the energy per 100 g, then weigh out the same amount of each product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day; this is dietary advice, not a legal consumption limit.
Can you get grocery deliveries from all six supermarkets?
Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS offer ways to order online. Lidl and Dirk say they do not deliver groceries. ALDI offers online shopping preparation; Supermarkt Bezorgservice says it is not possible to order groceries online from ALDI. Check the latest options for your address.
Should dried fruit be refrigerated after opening?
It depends on the exact product. The product information for the Albert Heijn soaked apricots reviewed says to refrigerate after opening at a maximum of 7 °C; for the PLUS apricots reviewed, it says to store in a cool, dry, dark place. Follow the label on the product you buy.
What should I look for if I want to avoid sulphites?
Check the latest allergen information and the packaging for the exact product. The three apricot products reviewed list sulphites; the NVWA includes sulphites in its allergen information for consumers.