Active campers
You want to get enough protein after strenuous exercise and are looking for fruit to complement your full recovery meal. Consider how much the snack contributes alongside the rest of your meal.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Campers without a fridge
You’re looking for products with storage instructions that suit the facilities you have. Pay particular attention to instructions for opened packs, as these can vary between products.
Shoppers checking ingredients
You’re choosing between plain fruit and a fruit and nut mix, and want to be able to check the ingredients, allergens and added sugar on the pack.
What should you look for when buying?
Start by considering how much protein you expect from the snack. Then check whether the storage requirements, ingredients and pack size suit your camping plans.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein contribution | Compare the protein per portion, not just per 100 g, and consider its contribution as part of your whole meal. | After a strenuous day of sport, I want to know what my snack portion contributes so I can plan the rest of my meal accordingly. Around 36% of consumers give protein content top priority. |
| Storage without a fridge | Read the storage instructions for the exact product, especially what to do after opening. | Without a fridge, I want a product whose storage instructions suit the facilities at my campsite. Around 29% of consumers give unrefrigerated supplies top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack; also look at the sugars present and any added sugar. | If I’m watching out for things such as nuts, sulphites or added sugar, I want to be able to check the ingredients of the exact product. Around 21% of consumers put checking ingredients first. |
| Pack size | Choose a weight that suits the length of your trip and how much you can store and use after opening. | For a short camping trip, I want a pack that suits how much I’ll actually use. Around 14% of consumers give a suitable pack size top priority. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming a higher protein figure means a product can make a protein claim
A stated protein value does not, by itself, prove that a product can be marketed as ‘high in protein’. Nutrition claims are subject to EU requirements, as explained by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and the European Union.
Compare the protein per portion and treat any claim as a separate matter; don’t base your choice on the product name alone.
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Assuming every product containing dried fruit can be stored outside the fridge
Storage instructions vary by product. AH Soaked Dried Apricots must be kept chilled after opening, at no more than 7°C.
Before setting off, check the instructions on the pack of the exact product, including for opened packs.
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Treating a fruit and nut mix as if it were just dried fruit
The AH dry mix examined contains 30% nuts, including almonds and pecans. A mix therefore has different ingredients and allergens from plain fruit.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information before choosing between a mix and a fruit product.
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Assuming no added sugar means sugar-free
The AH dry fruit and nut mix lists 0 g of added sugar and 47 g of sugars per 100 g. These are two different figures on the same label.
Check both the ingredients and the nutrition table, and choose a portion that suits what you want to take with you.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The range examined includes both soaked apricots and a dry organic fruit and nut mix; ingredients and storage instructions vary by product.
- Albert Heijn lists 6.9 g of protein per 100 g for its organic raisin, pineapple, mango and almond mix; the mix contains 30% nuts.
- The soaked apricots must be kept chilled after opening, at no more than 7°C. This applies to that specific product.
Jumbo
Jumbo Dried Pitted Apricots 250 g is a dried apricot product that has been assessed.
- Jumbo lists 99.8% apricots and 3.2 g of protein per 100 g for this pack.
- The product contains sulphites and may contain nuts, peanuts and sesame. Check the allergen information on the pack.
Lidl
Lidl describes Alesto as a range of nuts and dried fruit, including almonds and apricots.
- Lidl’s range description includes both nuts and dried fruit.
- Check the ingredients, nutrition information and storage instructions on the pack of the product you choose.
ALDI
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s Sun-Dried Apricots, 250 g, described as soft dried apricots.
- ALDI’s product description identifies this as a soft dried apricot product.
- A soft texture alone tells you nothing about the protein contribution or storage instructions after opening; check the pack for this information.
PLUS
PLUS Dried Apricots 375 g is a plain dried fruit product that has been assessed.
- For this pack, PLUS lists 3.4 g of protein, 53.4 g of sugars and 0 g of added sugar per 100 g.
- The product contains sulphites. The nutrition information given applies to this specific pack.
Dirk
Dirk lists pitted apricots in a 200 g pack.
- The product description and pack size give you a clear starting point for planning your supplies.
- Check the nutrition information, ingredients and storage instructions on the pack of the exact product.
Joybuy products
These Joybuy products include fruity snacks and fruit and nut combinations for on the go. Check each pack to make sure the ingredients and storage instructions suit your camping plans.
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Vinamit Jackfruit Snack in Pieces, 100 g
The product name indicates that this is a snack made from pieces of jackfruit; check the pack to make sure the ingredients and storage instructions suit your trip.
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g'woon Cashew Nut Cranberry Mix, 200 g
The name lists cashews and cranberries; if these are a consideration for you, check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.
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Full of fruit flavor Nuts and Dried Fruit Sharing Pack, 5-pack, 1.073 kg
The product name describes a pack containing fruit and nuts. The product information says that opened packs should be kept chilled and eaten within one day, so bear this in mind when camping.
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Haoxiangni Dr.Jujube Premium Gold-Grade Pitted, 390 g
The product name indicates that these are pitted jujubes. The product information says to eat them immediately after opening, so bear this in mind when planning your supplies.
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Sihong Gray Dates with Walnuts, 208 g
The product name identifies this as dates with walnuts. If you’re considering a nut mix, check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need special protein products for recreational exercise while camping?
Not necessarily: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, recreational athletes don’t need special protein shakes or bars. Start by looking at your overall diet; practical considerations may differ for intensive exercise.
Can you store soaked dried apricots outside the fridge after opening?
Not if the label says to keep them chilled. AH Soaked Dried Apricots must be kept chilled after opening, at no more than 7°C, and have a limited shelf life once opened. This applies to that specific product.
How should you store an opened pack of dried fruit while camping?
Follow the instructions on the exact pack. For dried fruit salad, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing it in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container; this isn’t a guarantee of shelf life for other products or in a warm tent.
How much protein is in a 25 g portion of the AH fruit and nut mix examined?
Around 1.7 g. Albert Heijn lists 6.9 g of protein per 100 g for its organic raisin, pineapple, mango and almond mix; for 25 g, that works out at 1.725 g, or 1.7 g when rounded.
Does ‘no added sugar’ mean a product is low in sugar?
No. The AH dry fruit and nut mix examined lists 0 g of added sugar and 47 g of sugars per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends limiting your portion to a handful, even for dried fruit with no added sugar.