Ready to take between lectures
Handy if you want to pop a pre-packed snack into your lunch without weighing it first. Albert Heijn lists AH Hamsterchef Raisins as 10 boxes of 14 grams each.
Who is this choice suitable for?
Prepare your own lunch snack
A larger bag could suit you if you want to weigh out a portion at home and save the rest. PLUS lists Sultana raisins in a 375-gram stand-up pouch.
Choose by ingredients
If serving size and ingredients are your priorities, compare the information on the packaging. If you have a relevant sensitivity, check the allergen information for the exact product too.
What should you look for when choosing?
Pre-packed snack box
Choose this when: you want to put something straight in your bag and skip weighing it out in advance.
Bear in mind: the amount in each box is fixed.
Portion it yourself
Choose this when: you have time at home to weigh out your own portion.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to prepare the portion in advance and pack it separately.
The percentages below relate to consumers who choose dried fruit as a snack to take with them for a campus lunch.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Which consumers? |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-to-go portion | Check the weight per box and whether the pack contains individual portions. | If you want to grab something from your bag between lectures, not having to weigh it out matters. Around 36% of consumers prioritise convenience when taking a snack with them. |
| Serving size and ingredients | Check the ingredients and added sugar separately from the nutritional information per 100 grams. | If you want to decide how much to take and know what’s in it, the portion and ingredients are key. Around 29% of consumers put these points first. |
| Portioning it yourself and storage | Check the total weight and whether you can store the rest in a cool, dry, dark place, as indicated on the packaging. | If you want to weigh out portions at home and keep the rest for later, a larger bag may fit your routine. Around 21% of consumers focus primarily on preparation and storage. |
| Check for allergens | Read the allergen information for the exact product; if it’s sold loose, ask the canteen for details. | If you have a relevant sensitivity, you’ll want to check the ingredients and allergens before eating. Around 14% of consumers cite this check as their main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming the total pack weight is one snack portion
A 140-gram box could contain 10 portions of 14 grams each, while a 375-gram bag is designed for storing a supply. These pack formats call for different ways of taking your snack with you.
Check the weight of each individual portion and how many portions there are. If you buy a larger bag, weigh out an amount yourself.
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Assuming no added sugar means sugar-free
PLUS lists Sultana raisins as containing 0 grams of added sugar, but they also contain 68.2 grams of total sugar per 100 grams.
Check the ingredients and nutritional information separately, and bear in mind how much you’ll actually take with you.
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Assuming a product page confirms the item is currently on sale
Jumbo states that Trafo Bio-Organic Raisin Snack Boxes, 12 pieces, 140g are no longer part of its online range. So a product listing alone doesn’t mean you can still buy it.
Check the latest availability information at the shop where you plan to buy it.
Supermarket brands to compare
Albert Heijn
AH Hamsterchef Raisins are an example of dried fruit in individual portions that are ready to take with you.
- Albert Heijn lists 10 boxes of 14 grams each, with raisins and sunflower oil as ingredients.
- The product information lists 0 grams of added sugar per 100 grams; this doesn’t mean the product contains no total sugars.
Jumbo
The range overview lists sultanas in larger packs for storing at home.
- The listed weights are 250, 500 and 750 grams.
- These packs aren’t described as individual snack portions, so you may need to portion them yourself.
Lidl
The product information lists dried blueberries and cherries as varieties.
- The listed pack weight is 100 grams.
- Lidl says these are available in selected stores and in-store only; check the details before you visit.
Aldi
Trader Joe's raisins are listed in a 500-gram pack.
- The pack weight gives you a specific larger format to compare.
- Aldi’s product description isn’t an independent comparison of quality.
PLUS
PLUS Sultana raisins are listed in a 375-gram stand-up pouch for anyone who wants to weigh out their own lunch portion.
- The ingredients are raisins and sunflower oil; the product information lists 0 grams of added sugar.
- The nutritional information lists 68.2 grams of total sugar per 100 grams. The stand-up pouch isn’t an individual snack portion.
Dirk
The range overview includes sultanas and other dried fruit.
- The listed sizes include 375 grams for sultanas and 200 grams for cranberries.
- Check the ingredients list for the exact variety; the name of a fruit doesn’t tell you whether sugar has been added.
Joybuy product selection
This Joybuy selection focuses on dried fruit that you can portion out yourself in advance for your campus lunch.
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Zohra Medjool dates (M), 908 g
This larger pack is a good fit if you want to weigh out your own lunch portion at home; it isn’t an individual portion product for taking with you without any preparation.
Frequently asked questions
How much dried fruit makes a small lunch snack?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses around 20 grams as an example of a handful of dried fruit. The World Cancer Research Fund advises eating no more than 20 grams a day; this is dietary advice, not a legal limit for pack sizes. For comparison, according to Albert Heijn, an AH Hamsterchef box contains 14 grams.
Does no added sugar mean raisins are sugar-free?
No. PLUS Sultana raisins are listed as containing 0 grams of added sugar, but 68.2 grams of total sugar per 100 grams. Check the ingredients and the nutritional information under ‘of which sugars’ as separate details.
How should you store the rest after taking a portion with you?
Follow the storage instructions for the exact product. The product information for AH Hamsterchef Raisins and PLUS Sultana raisins says to store in a cool, dry, dark place. Check the use-by or best-before information on the packaging too; don’t assume all dried fruit has the same shelf life.
What should you look out for if you’re sensitive to sulphites?
Check the allergen information for the exact product. The NVWA explains the requirements for providing allergen information, and Stichting Voedselallergie lists dried fruit as a possible source of sulphites. This doesn’t mean all raisins or all products from one supermarket contain sulphites.
What allergen information does a Dutch canteen have to provide?
Information about allergens present must be available before you buy. For pre-packed products, it appears on the label. For food sold loose, the information can be provided in various ways, including on signs or verbally; if it’s given verbally, it must be made clear that you can ask for it.