Players watching their portions
You want something sweet to snack on, while deciding in advance how much to put out. The amount you choose and its energy value are both worth considering.
Who is this guide for?
Hosts catering for dietary needs
You’re sharing snacks with players who want to avoid certain ingredients. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack, and keep the details next to the bowls.
Practical group shoppers
You’re looking for an amount that suits the group and want to store any leftovers properly. Pack size and storage instructions after opening can help you decide.
What should you look for when choosing?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day; take into account what someone has already eaten that day. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a limit of 40 kcal per 100 g for the ‘low energy’ claim.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion and energy | Compare kcal per 100 g and calculate the amount for the weight you’re putting out. | If I want something sweet during a long game night, weighing out a portion helps me limit how much I eat; around 42% of consumers prioritise calorie control. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. | If I’m sharing snacks with players who need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check what each variety contains; around 25% of consumers prioritise suitability for their needs. |
| Serving and storage | Check for warnings about any remaining stones and instructions for after opening. | If I want to serve snacks easily during the game and store any leftovers properly, I check the instructions for use; around 17% of consumers prioritise ease of serving and storage. |
| Quantity for the group | Compare the pack weight with the amount the players want to eat. | If I’m shopping for several players, I want to choose a pack that suits the group and avoids unnecessary leftovers; around 16% of consumers prioritise planning the quantity. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming ‘no added sugar’ means low in calories
A product can state that it contains no added sugars and still be high in energy per 100 g. For example, PLUS lists 0 g of added sugars and 282 kcal per 100 g.
Check both the ingredients and the energy value per 100 g. A small portion doesn’t change the product’s values per 100 g.
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Comparing different portion sizes directly
A value for a 20 g portion can’t be compared directly with one for a 30 g portion. Comparing different weights can therefore give you a misleading picture.
Calculate both varieties for the same weight before comparing them.
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Mistaking a range page for a product that’s currently available to buy
Jumbo’s page for Organic Dried Apricots 250 g says that the product is no longer in its online range.
Check the order status of the exact variety before planning your shopping around it.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
The product range reviewed includes soaked apricots and soft, pitted prunes.
- Albert Heijn provides nutritional values and instructions for use for the products in question.
- The soaked apricots contain water and sulphites. For this variety, Albert Heijn says to refrigerate after opening at a maximum of 7 °C.
Jumbo
The own-brand options reviewed are pitted dried apricots and pitted prunes.
- The product pages list ingredients, allergen information and nutritional values for the varieties in question.
- The apricots reviewed contain sulphites; for its prunes, Jumbo notes that they may contain nuts and peanuts. Jumbo says the 250 g organic apricots are no longer in its online range.
Lidl
Alesto is Lidl’s relevant dried fruit range, which includes mango strips.
- Lidl describes the mango strips mentioned as containing no added sugars and says they contain naturally occurring sugars.
- That description alone doesn’t tell you how much energy the variety contains per 100 g; check the product’s nutritional information for this.
ALDI
The Dutch ALDI product page identifies TRADER JOE'S Sun-Dried Apricots in a 250 g pack.
- ALDI describes the apricots as soft and dried.
- The shop’s description doesn’t compare the calories with those of other products.
PLUS
PLUS Dried Prunes is a relevant own-brand variety to compare using its nutritional information.
- PLUS lists 0 g of added sugars and 282 kcal per 100 g for these prunes.
- The ingredients include sunflower oil and E200, so ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t mean the product consists of fruit alone.
Dirk
Dirk lists pitted apricots in a 200 g pack.
- The product page identifies the product and pack weight.
- Dirk doesn’t mention a delivery service on the page; a product page doesn’t automatically mean home delivery is available.
Dried fruit at Joybuy
This selection includes different types of dried fruit and pack formats. Check the energy value, ingredients and quantity for each exact variety; a product’s name alone doesn’t mean it’s low in calories.
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Be&Cheery Dried Red Apricots 300 g
Weigh out the amount you want to put out for game night in advance, and check the nutritional information and ingredients for this variety on the pack.
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Haoxiangni Pitted Jujubes 500 g
The product information lists red dates as the only ingredient and 300 kcal per 100 g; compare this value with the amount you’re putting out.
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Haoxiangni Grade A Wash-Free Jujubes 500 g
The product information lists jujubes as the only ingredient and gives a value of 304 kcal per 100 g. Use the nutritional value per 100 g to calculate your chosen portion.
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De Kleine Keuken Organic Raisins 12M+ 140 g
According to the product information, the pack contains 10 boxes of 14 g. The same information says the product is suitable from 12 months and that young children should be supervised while eating.
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7FRESH Pitted Prunes 430 g
The product description lists 283 kcal per 100 g and recommends consuming the contents straight after opening. Bear this in mind when choosing a pack for a group.
Frequently asked questions
How much dried fruit should you put out for a board game night?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day. Setting aside no more than this amount in advance is a practical way to manage snacks for game night; take into account any dried fruit someone has already eaten that day.
Does a small portion make a product low in calories?
No, a small portion doesn’t change the energy value per 100 g. According to the European Commission, the ‘low energy’ claim for solid foods is limited to products containing no more than 40 kcal per 100 g.
How do I compare the energy in different types of dried fruit?
First compare the declared kcal per 100 g, then calculate the value for the same portion weight. Among the varieties reviewed, Albert Heijn lists 182 kcal per 100 g for soaked apricots, Jumbo lists 237 kcal per 100 g for pitted apricots, and AH lists 254 kcal per 100 g for soft prunes; Jumbo and PLUS list 282 kcal per 100 g for their prunes.
Should dried fruit be refrigerated after opening?
Follow the instructions for the exact variety. Albert Heijn says to refrigerate its soaked apricots after opening at a maximum of 7 °C; for the dried prunes reviewed, Jumbo recommends storing them in a cool, dry, dark place.
What should I check about allergens when sharing dried fruit?
Check the allergen information on the pack for the exact variety and keep the details by the bowl. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) says allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods; for the apricots reviewed, Jumbo lists sulphites and the possible presence of nuts, peanuts and sesame.