Households that plan snacks ahead
You regularly prepare small snacks for your gym bag and use the same supply at home. The net weight and how easily you can keep the pack sealed both help determine whether a larger bag suits your needs.
Who are these pack sizes for?
Sports enthusiasts who want to manage their portions
You’d rather take a measured snack with you than eat straight from a large bag while you’re out. Check the ingredients and how much you portion out: dried fruit with no added sugar still contains sugars.
Occasional snack planners
You don’t take dried fruit to every training session and want a supply that reflects how often you use it. A smaller pack or separate, individually sealed bags may work well for you.
What should you consider when choosing?
One larger bag
A good fit if: your household eats raisins regularly or you prepare several portions in advance; Albert Heijn and Jumbo offer researched options in 750 g packs.
Bear in mind: once opened, you’ll have one larger supply to keep properly sealed.
Two separate bags
A good fit if: you want to use one bag and keep the other sealed for now; according to Albert Heijn, the AH 2-pack contains two separate 500 g items.
Bear in mind: the opened bag still needs to be stored properly, even while the second one remains sealed.
A smaller bag
A good fit if: you take dried fruit with you less often or want to work out how much you use first; PLUS lists a 375 g pack of Sultana raisins.
Bear in mind: if you use them regularly, you may need to top up a smaller supply sooner.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Compare the net weight and number of separate bags with what you use at home and in your gym bag. | If I want to split my supply between home and my gym bag, I choose an amount we’ll get through in time. Around 36% of consumers prioritise buying an amount that suits their needs. |
| Portable portions | Decide in advance how much you want to take and pack that amount separately; Jumbo lists nutritional values per 15 g as a portion reference. | If I don’t want to eat from a large bag while I’m out, I portion my snack in advance. Around 29% of consumers prioritise preparing portions to take with them. |
| Ingredients and nutritional values | Read the label on the exact pack. Added sugars and total sugars are different figures; also check the allergen information if it’s relevant to you. | If I want to know what’s in my snack or need to avoid an allergen, I check the pack itself. Around 21% of consumers focus mainly on ingredients and nutritional information. |
| Storing your supply | Store raisins in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container; only take your planned amount with you in a sealed pack. | If I don’t want a large supply to go unused, I choose a pack size that suits how often I use it and where I can store it. Around 14% of consumers prioritise keeping their supply fresh. |
Common pitfalls
-
Assuming ‘no added sugar’ means ‘low in sugar’
Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars for AH Sun-Dried Raisins 500 g, but also 59 g of sugars per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that dried fruit contains a lot of sugar.
Check both the added sugars statement and the total sugars, and portion out in advance how much you want to take with you.
-
Keeping your entire supply in your gym bag for a long time
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing raisins in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container. A gym bag isn’t automatically a suitable place to keep your supply.
Store your main supply at home according to the pack instructions and only take the snack you’ve planned.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Researched raisin options in different pack sizes, including a multipack of two separate bags.
- For the options researched, Albert Heijn lists information on weight and ingredients; nutritional values are also provided for the 500 g option.
- The multipack consists of separate items. Product information is not an independent assessment of taste or quality.
Jumbo
Sun-dried Sultana raisins in a researched 750 g pack.
- Jumbo lists raisins and cottonseed oil as ingredients, with nutritional values per 100 g and per 15 g.
- The portion reference is label information, not personalised sports nutrition advice.
Lidl
Belbake Raisins is a relevant product range in the supermarket selection researched.
- The product range gives you a specific option to include in your comparison.
- Check the net weight, ingredients and any conditions for Lidl Plus benefits on the current pack and in the in-store information.
Aldi
TRADER JOE'S Raisins was researched as a 500 g pack for stocking up.
- ALDI Nederland lists the product name and 500 g pack size.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you buy; a product description is not an independent assessment of taste or quality.
PLUS
PLUS Sultana Raisins was researched in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
- PLUS lists raisins and sunflower oil as ingredients, 0 g of added sugars, and recommends storing the product in a cool, dry, dark place.
- PLUS warns that, despite checks, stalks and stones may be present. A statement of 0 g of added sugars doesn’t mean the product is low in total sugars.
Dirk
Raisins in a researched 750 g pack for stocking up.
- Dirk’s product information lists the pack type and net weight.
- Dirk does not list a delivery service, so bear this in mind if you need home delivery.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
How many snacks to take with me can I get from one bag?
That depends on how much you portion out. Using 15 g as an example, 750 g gives you fifty portions; 500 g gives you 33 full portions, with 5 g left over. Jumbo uses 15 g as a reference for nutritional values, not as a generally recommended sports portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises having no more than a handful of dried fruit because of its sugar content.
Can I eat a large amount of dried fruit just before exercising?
Treat dried fruit as a snack rather than a large meal just before your training session. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends having a proper meal around 2 to 3 hours before exercising and advises against eating a large meal just beforehand. This general advice doesn’t mean that the same amount of dried fruit will have the same effect on everyone.
How should I store an opened bag of raisins?
Store raisins in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container, and also follow the advice on the pack. For opened raisins, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives a storage time of 6 to 9 months in a kitchen cupboard. This timeframe applies to raisins, not automatically to all dried fruit; don’t use your gym bag as a long-term storage place.
What allergen information should I check on a Dutch pack?
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack of the exact product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must be provided on the label of prepacked products and includes sulphites among the allergens it lists. The product name ‘dried fruit’ alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for you.
What should I do if the pack is damaged or there’s a safety warning?
Keep the packaging and product details, and contact the seller if the product is damaged or doesn’t seem right. If there’s a safety warning, follow the instructions for the relevant pack or batch and don’t eat the product if advised not to. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority publishes warnings; a warning about another product doesn’t automatically apply to your pack.