If you’re mainly watching your fat intake when having drinks, plain dried apricots are one type of product to consider. However, a general nutrition table doesn’t prove that a specific pack meets a reduced-fat claim. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists one 9 g dried apricot as containing a rounded 0 g of fat, but also 26 kcal and 5 g of sugar. It recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit a day, so check the portion size and the current packaging too.
You’re looking for a sweet snack to serve with drinks, with fat content as an important selection criterion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general table for dried apricots also lists sugar and energy per piece; these figures are not product specifications for every pack.
You want to control how much dried fruit you eat while having drinks. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit a day, so also take into account what you’ve eaten earlier that day.
You’re looking for dried fruit with a soft texture to serve. ALDI and Dirk describe their respective apricots as soft; these are retailers’ descriptions, not independent assessments of texture.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content of the product | The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists a rounded 0 g of fat per 9 g dried apricot; this is a general portion value, not a product specification. Compare the current nutritional information on the same basis. | If fat is my first selection criterion, I want to be able to assess the nutritional information on the pack itself. Around 36% of consumers prioritise fat content. |
| Portion size and energy | The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit a day. Also compare the energy per quantity; the general value for apricots is 26 kcal per 9 g piece. | If I want to limit how much I eat while having drinks, it helps to set out a portion in advance. Around 29% of consumers prioritise portion size and energy. |
| Added and naturally occurring sugars | Check the ingredients list for added ingredients and look at the total sugar value separately. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general table lists 5 g of sugar per 9 g dried apricot. | If I want to avoid added sugar, I also want to know how much sugar occurs naturally in the fruit. Around 21% of consumers prioritise avoiding sweetened varieties. |
| Texture, packaging and storage | Check the product description for texture, choose a net weight that suits your planned use and follow the storage advice on the pack. ALDI lists 250 g apricots; PLUS and Dirk list 375 g varieties. | If I want to serve soft snacks and minimise leftovers, I look at the texture and pack size. Around 14% of consumers prioritise ease of serving and managing leftovers. |
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general table lists a rounded 0 g of fat for one 9 g dried apricot, alongside 26 kcal and 5 g of sugar.
Look at fat, energy and sugar together, and take into account how much you’re serving.
No added sugar doesn’t mean that dried fruit contains no sugar. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general nutrition table lists 5 g of sugar for a 9 g dried apricot.
Check the ingredients list for additions, and look at the total sugar value as well.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide recommends keeping dried mixed fruit in a kitchen cupboard for 6–9 months. This advice applies to that product type and not automatically to every dried or rehydrated variety.
Follow the storage advice on the pack of the variety you buy.
AH Rehydrated Dried Apricots is a specific variety to consider when choosing something to serve with drinks.
Jumbo Blue Raisins 250 g is a specific raisin variety.
Lidl Netherlands lists dried tropical fruits as a product category.
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s Sun-Dried Apricots 250 g.
PLUS Dried Apricots, per stand-up pouch, 375 g is a own-label variety with a stated pack size.
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Apricots 375 g.
No, the absence of added sugar doesn’t mean it’s sugar-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general table lists 5 g of sugar per 9 g dried apricot. So check for added ingredients and total sugars separately.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit a day. When deciding how much to have, also take into account any dried fruit you’ve already eaten that day. This is dietary advice, not a legal portion requirement.
No. A general value for one dried apricot is not a product specification for a specific pack and, by itself, does not substantiate a reduced-fat claim. Check the current nutritional information and ingredients for the variety you buy.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide recommends keeping dried mixed fruit in a kitchen cupboard for 6–9 months. This advice applies to this product type; for other varieties, follow the storage advice on the packaging.
Check the information for the exact variety you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that information on the 14 designated allergens must be available for both prepacked and non-prepacked food.
