Who is this buying guide for?

People who exercise and want protein on the go

If you combine your commute with strength or endurance training, consider the protein in each serving and your overall diet, not just the type of fruit. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides information about protein and exercise.

Commuters looking for an easy snack

If you want something small to have with your coffee that’s easy to take with you, check the packaging and storage instructions for the exact product. Jumbo describes its small boxes of raisins as handy for when you’re out and about.

Snack buyers who keep an eye on portion sizes

If you want to keep track of how much dried fruit you eat, weigh your actual portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit a day. This is dietary advice, not a legal purchase limit.

What should you look for when buying?

If you’re mainly looking for a fruit snack to have with coffee, assess the fruit based on the portion you eat. If you also want to increase your protein intake, consider the whole combination with a separate source of protein; if you add dairy, remember to keep it chilled.

What to consider What to look for Who is this important for?
Protein per serving Check the nutrition table for the exact product, both per 100 g and per serving you eat. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and the Netherlands Nutrition Centre point out that nutrition claims must meet European requirements. If I want to know how much protein my snack actually provides, I compare the nutritional values with my usual portion; around 36% of consumers prioritise the protein content.
Taking it with you and storage Check the packaging and storage instructions for the product you choose. If you take yoghurt or quark with you, follow the storage guidance for that chilled combination too. For coffee on the go, I want a snack that’s easy to carry and suits my journey; around 29% of consumers prioritise portability and storage.
Portion size and sugars Check both the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutrition table. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit a day. This is dietary advice, not a legal limit. If I want to choose my portion mindfully, I look at what I actually eat rather than just the contents of the bag; around 21% of consumers prioritise portion control.
Cost per quantity Compare the price per kilo and net weight of the same type and variety of fruit. Jumbo lists 250, 500 and 750 g packs in its sultana range. If I buy the snack regularly, I want to know how much the quantity I use costs; around 14% of consumers focus primarily on cost per usable quantity.

Buying pitfalls

  • Confusing the presence of protein with a protein snack

    Jumbo’s nutrition information lists 0.5 g of protein per 15 g serving of its Zongedroogde Sultana Rozijnen 250 g. So the type or presentation of the fruit alone doesn’t tell you how much protein you’ll get in the portion you eat.

    Compare the nutritional values per serving and per 100 g, and consider your overall diet before choosing a product for its protein content.

  • Assuming a short ingredients list means less sugar

    For the same sultanas, Jumbo lists 11.3 g of sugars per 15 g serving. A short ingredients list doesn’t automatically tell you how much sugar the product contains.

    Check both the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ line, and choose how much to eat mindfully.

  • Applying fruit storage guidance to a dairy combination

    If you take dried fruit with yoghurt or quark, you also need to follow the storage guidance for the chilled combination. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises not leaving highly perishable food out of the fridge for more than 2 hours.

    Keep the combination chilled and follow the storage instructions for the dairy product, as well as the guidance from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.

Relevant brands for reference

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists, among other products, soaked dried apricots and fruit and nut mixes, so its range includes several different types of product.

  • The range information includes examples of both dried fruit and fruit and nut combinations.
  • Check the ingredients and nutritional values for the exact product; a fruit type or mix name doesn’t prove that it’s high in protein.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists raisins in several pack sizes. The nutrition table and storage instructions are available for Zongedroogde Sultana Rozijnen 250 g.

  • The label information for this product lists 0.5 g of protein per 15 g serving.
  • This information applies to the product mentioned and isn’t an independent measurement or proof of the entire range.

Lidl

Lidl Netherlands lists dried fruit and a dried fruit mix among its range options.

  • The product range includes both fruit and a mix option.
  • Lidl says its dried fruit is available in selected stores; check the exact product and its label.

ALDI

ALDI Netherlands lists 500 g packs of raisins and a separate product range of fruit and nut varieties.

  • The product range of fruit and nut varieties includes a resealable pack.
  • The page features several varieties, so don’t assume that the ingredients or packaging details of one apply to another.

PLUS

PLUS lists dried apricots in a 375 g stand-up pouch.

  • The product page gives the packaging type and net weight.
  • PLUS recommends checking the packaging, as ingredients and nutritional values can change.

Dirk

Dirk lists raisins as a product in its baking products category.

  • The product page confirms that raisins are available in this product category.
  • Compare the details for the exact product; the product category alone doesn’t tell you how much protein it provides.

Joybuy products

This selection includes fruit products to take with you and fruit and nut mixes. The product name and ingredients make it clear when a product contains more than just dried fruit.

Vinamit Jackfruit Snack in Pieces, 100 g

Vinamit Jackfruit Snack in Pieces, 100 g

A good fit if you’re looking for a ready-to-eat fruit snack to take with you.

The product description lists jackfruit and vegetable oil as ingredients. Store in a cool, dry place.

View at Joybuy
OHLA Dried Guava, 180 g

OHLA Dried Guava, 180 g

A good fit if you want to take dried guava with you as a snack.

The ingredients list states 95% guava, sugar and a preservative. Storage advice: keep in a cool, dry place.

View at Joybuy
MUSHAN BASE Dried Strawberry Slices, 50 g

MUSHAN BASE Dried Strawberry Slices, 50 g

A good fit if a resealable pack is important for your fruit snack on the go.

Ingredients: dried strawberries and sugar. The nutrition information lists 1.2 g of protein and 57.4 g of sugars per 100 g.

View at Joybuy
Sihong Gray Dates with Walnuts, 208 g

Sihong Gray Dates with Walnuts, 208 g

A good fit if you’re looking for dates with nuts rather than dried fruit on its own.

The ingredients list states grey dates and walnuts; the nutrition information lists 3.4 g of protein per 100 g. Contains walnuts.

View at Joybuy
g'woon Cashew Nut Cranberry Mix, 200 g

g'woon Cashew Nut Cranberry Mix, 200 g

A good fit if you’re looking for a fruit and nut mix rather than dried fruit on its own.

The ingredients list states 50% cashew nuts and 50% sweetened dried cranberries; the nutrition information lists 10.9 g of protein per 100 g. Contains cashew nuts; the description notes that it may contain traces of peanuts and other nuts.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Do recreational athletes need to buy a special protein snack?

Not necessarily. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says recreational athletes generally don’t need special protein shakes or bars. Start by looking at what you get from your usual diet; for personalised sports nutrition advice, you can consult a specialist dietitian.

How should you store fruit taken with quark or yoghurt?

Keep the combination chilled and follow the storage instructions for the dairy product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping your fridge at 4 °C and not leaving highly perishable food out of the fridge for more than 2 hours. This advice applies to the chilled combination, not all dried fruit.

What should you check if you have a nut or milk allergy, or are sensitive to sulphites?

Read the allergen information for the exact product and anything you add to it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) states that allergen information for prepacked products must be shown on the label; sulphites, nuts and milk are among the allergens that must be declared. A fruit name doesn’t guarantee that a product is suitable for your allergy.

Is the serving size on the pack the same as the daily dietary recommendation?

No. Jumbo lists a 15 g serving for Zongedroogde Sultana Rozijnen 250 g, while the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit a day. The first amount is a manufacturer’s serving size and the second is general dietary advice; neither is a legal purchase limit.

How can you compare costs without looking only at the pack size?

Compare the same type and variety of fruit by price per kilo, net weight and the quantity you actually use. Jumbo lists several pack sizes in its sultana range. Keep any delivery costs separate; a larger pack isn’t necessarily better value.