If you want fewer calories in the same-sized portion, prunes are a sensible starting point among the types of fruit reviewed: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general reference gives 40 kcal per 20 g. This is not the nutritional value of every supermarket product, so compare the kcal per 100 g on the label and calculate based on how much you actually eat. If you’re going to the cinema, also check the venue’s rules on bringing your own snacks.
Want something to eat during a film and prefer to know in advance how many calories your snack will add? Compare the same quantity and weigh out your own portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides general reference values; the label on the product you choose is what matters.
If you choose dried fruit based on its ingredients and nutritional values, don’t assume that the fruit name or a nutrition claim means it is low in calories. If you have a relevant allergy or sensitivity, check the allergen information too; the NVWA explains what information should appear on labels.
If you want to take a measured portion with you and store any leftovers, check the rules for your screening first. Pathé’s official FAQ for school visits says that visitors may not consume their own food and drink there; this rule applies in that context.
Start with the kcal per 100 g on the label, then work out how many calories are in your weighed portion. This lets you compare products on the same basis and tailor the calculation to how much you actually eat.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Calories in the same quantity | Compare kcal per 100 g on the specific product label and calculate the calories in your portion using: kcal per 100 g × portion weight ÷ 100. | If I want to compare calories in the same quantity, I check the packaging and work out the calories in my portion. Around 33% of consumers prioritise comparing calories in the same quantity. |
| A weighed portion | Weigh out how much you’ll take with you in advance. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit per day; this is dietary advice, not a legal limit. | I want to weigh out a portion in advance rather than eat from an open bag during the film. Around 27% of consumers prioritise portion control. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients and energy content separately. If you have a relevant sensitivity, check the allergen information, including sulphites. | I want the ingredients to suit my preferences and any sensitivities. Around 20% of consumers make ingredient suitability their main consideration. |
| Taking it with you and storage | Check the cinema’s rules and follow the storage instructions on the packaging for any leftovers. | I want to know whether I can take the snack to my screening and how to store any leftover fruit. Around 13% of consumers prioritise practical use and leftovers. |
| Pack size and cost | Compare the net weight and price per kilogram; a larger pack is not a guide to portion size. | I want to choose a pack size that suits how much I’ll actually use. Around 7% of consumers prioritise cost and pack size. |
A portion may contain few calories even if the product does not meet the conditions for the ‘low energy’ claim per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general reference for prunes gives 40 kcal per 20 g, equivalent to a calculated 200 kcal per 100 g. For solid foods, the European Commission and the NVWA set a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for the ‘low energy’ claim.
Describe the calories in your weighed portion, and assess any nutrition claim separately against the applicable conditions.
Nutritional values are reference figures and can vary between brands and variants. For example, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s reference for a portion of raisins is a general average, not a verified value for every pack.
Use general figures to compare types of fruit broadly, then check the label of the specific product.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general reference for 20 g of banana chips gives 96 kcal, 5.9 g of fat and 4.8 g of saturated fat. These values do not automatically apply to other dried banana products.
Read the nutritional information and ingredients for your chosen variant, then decide how much you want to eat.
A snack for home is not necessarily suitable for taking to a screening. Pathé’s official FAQ for school visits says that visitors may not consume their own food and drink there.
Check the conditions for your cinema and screening in advance; watching a film at home and going to the cinema are different situations.
The product ranges mentioned here are examples to help you compare labels. Listing a product is not a nutritional comparison and does not confirm that a variant is currently available locally.
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Soaked Dried Apricots.
Jumbo lists pitted prunes in a 250 g pack.
Lidl sells dried fruit under its Alesto own-label brand.
ALDI lists TRADER JOE'S Sun-dried Prunes in a 250 g pack.
PLUS lists prunes in a 375 g pack.
Dirk lists pitted prunes in a 375 g pack.
This selection includes dried dates, prunes and apricots. Compare the nutritional information for the variant you choose, and weigh out a portion that suits your film night.
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An option if you’re specifically looking for dried dates; weigh out how much you want to eat in advance.
The product name specifies a 908 g pack.
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An option if you’re looking for dried prunes; the pack size is not automatically the amount you’ll want to eat during a film.
The product name specifies a 65 g pack.
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An option if you’re looking for pitted dried prunes. Use the label to calculate the calories in your weighed portion.
The product name specifies a 430 g pack.
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An option if you’re looking for prunes in a smaller pack; decide for yourself what portion of it you’ll eat.
The product name specifies a 108 g pack. Check the ingredients information for this variant.
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An option if you’re looking for dried apricots; compare the nutritional information for this variant with your preferred portion size.
The product name specifies a 250 g pack.
No. For the ‘low energy’ nutrition claim, solid foods must contain no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g, according to the European Commission; the NVWA explains that European rules apply to nutrition claims. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general reference for prunes gives 40 kcal per 20 g, equivalent to a calculated 200 kcal per 100 g. It’s better to describe the calories in your weighed portion than to call the product low in energy.
Multiply the kcal per 100 g on your pack by the weight of your portion, then divide the result by 100. This way, you use the nutritional value of the specific product rather than a general reference figure.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit per day. This is dietary advice, not a legal limit on purchases or personal medical dietary advice.
Check the rules for your cinema and screening before buying snacks to take with you. Pathé’s official FAQ for school visits says that visitors may not consume their own food and drink there. This is a house rule for that context, not a nationwide legal rule for all cinemas.
Check the allergen information for the specific product. The NVWA lists sulphites among the allergens that consumers must be informed about; for prepacked foods, this information appears on the label.
