Evening snackers keeping an eye on fat
You want to choose a sweet snack based on its fat content and tell ordinary dried fruit apart from fruit crisps made with oil.
Who is this relevant to?
Snackers who keep portions in check
You want to know how much energy and sugar you’ll get from the portion you’ve weighed out, not just how much fat the product contains.
Label readers with ingredient requirements
For example, you check for added sugar, sulphites or potential allergens when these ingredients are personally relevant to you.
What to look for when choosing
Rehydrated apricots
A good fit if: you specifically want to compare rehydrated apricots and can follow the storage instructions.
Bear in mind: Albert Heijn lists sulphites and says to refrigerate this product after opening at a maximum of 7°C.
Ordinary dried apricots
A good fit if: you want to compare ordinary dried apricots by their label values and ingredients.
Bear in mind: Jumbo and PLUS both list 0.5 g of fat per 100 g; Jumbo also lists sulphites and possible traces of nuts, peanuts and sesame.
Banana chips
A good fit if: you’re considering banana chips and a low fat content isn’t your deciding factor.
Bear in mind: Albert Heijn lists coconut oil, sugar and 30 g of fat per 100 g for its banana chips.
First compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then consider how much you actually want to eat. According to the European Commission, solid foods must contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g to carry the ‘low fat’ claim. This does not prove that the fat content has been reduced compared with another product.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content and claims | Check the fat per 100 g; assess any claim separately for the exact product. | If you mainly want a low-fat option and don’t want to mistake an absolute value for a reduction compared with another product. Around 29% of consumers prioritise fat content. |
| Energy and portion size | Compare energy and sugars per 100 g, then weigh out your portion. | If you want to limit the energy and sugar in your evening snack and include portions you’ve already eaten. Around 36% of consumers give portion size and energy the highest priority. |
| Sugars and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information; ‘no added sugar’ does not mean ‘sugar-free’. | If you want to avoid added sugar or need to account for an allergen that’s relevant to you. Around 21% of consumers prioritise ingredient requirements. |
| Packaging and storage | Check the net weight and the instructions for storing the product after opening. | If you’re looking for packaging that suits the way you store and use your snack. Around 14% of consumers place the greatest importance on practical use. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming that fruit in the name means it’s low in fat
The ingredients and nutritional values of fruit crisps can differ from those of dried fruit. Albert Heijn lists coconut oil and 30 g of fat per 100 g for its banana chips.
Check the ingredients and nutritional values for the exact variety; don’t base your choice on the fruit name alone.
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Mistaking the pack’s portion size for a daily recommendation
Albert Heijn gives a 50 g portion size for its rehydrated apricots. The Voedingscentrum recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit a day; this is general dietary advice, not a specific guideline for the evening.
Weigh out your portion and count what you’ve already eaten that day. Don’t automatically treat the portion size on the pack as a recommendation.
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Reading ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’
PLUS lists 0 g of added sugars and 53.4 g of total sugars per 100 g for its dried apricots.
Check both the ingredients and total sugars per 100 g, and bear your portion size in mind.
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Storing rehydrated fruit like ordinary dried goods
Albert Heijn says to refrigerate its rehydrated apricots after opening at a maximum of 7°C.
Check the pack instructions before choosing a product you plan to eat gradually.
Relevant brands to compare
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s rehydrated dried apricots are a specific variety to assess by checking the ingredients, nutritional values and storage instructions.
- Albert Heijn lists 90% dried apricot, water and preservatives, including sulphite.
- After opening, this product must be refrigerated at a maximum of 7°C. This information applies to the variety mentioned, not the entire range.
Jumbo
Jumbo Dried Apricots, Pitted 250 g has nutritional information per 100 g and per 20 g.
- The ingredients list states 99.8% apricots and E220.
- The product contains sulphites and may contain nuts, peanuts and sesame. Jumbo also warns that pieces or fragments of stones may be present.
Lidl
Alesto is Lidl’s product range, which includes dried mango strips.
- According to Lidl, the mango strips described contain no added sugars, but do contain naturally occurring sugars.
- This product description alone provides no fat value or evidence to support a claim that fat has been reduced.
ALDI
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s Sun-Dried Apricots in a 250 g pack.
- ALDI describes the apricots as soft.
- The retailer’s description is not an independent taste assessment and does not support a claim that fat has been reduced.
PLUS
PLUS Dried Apricots is available in a 375 g stand-up pouch with nutritional information for the Netherlands.
- The ingredients list states apricot and E220; PLUS lists 0 g of added sugars.
- PLUS also lists sulphites. The product’s composition alone does not tell you about the entire range.
Dirk
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Apricots in a 375 g pack; 1 de Beste is the own-brand name on the pack.
- Dirk describes the apricots as soft and suggests enjoying them as a snack or using them in recipes.
- This retailer’s description is not an independent quality assessment and does not support a claim that fat has been reduced.
Dried fruit products at Joybuy
This selection includes dried fruit sold as a snack. Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and the ingredients; a low stated fat content does not prove that fat has been reduced compared with a similar product.
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Haoxiangni Dr.Jujube (Premium Gold-Grade Pitted) 390 g
The product information describes these jujubes as a snack that can be eaten straight from the pack.
According to the product information, jujube is the only listed ingredient and the product contains 0 g of fat and 327 kcal per 100 g. The stated fat content is below the European Commission’s ‘low fat’ threshold of no more than 3 g per 100 g; this does not prove a claim that fat has been reduced.
The product information recommends eating the jujubes immediately after opening.
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Haoxiangni Pitted Jujubes 500 g
According to the product information, these pitted jujubes are eaten as a snack.
The product information lists red jujubes as the only ingredient and states that they contain 0.5 g of fat and 300 kcal per 100 g. Seal the pack securely after opening.
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De Kleine Keuken organic raisins 12M+ 140 g
According to the product information, the pack contains individual 14 g snack boxes.
The product information states that the raisins contain no added sugars or sulphites. Store the boxes in a cool, dry, dark place. The 12M+ label applies to this product variety; children should be supervised by an adult while eating. The product is not suitable for children with swallowing difficulties.
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OHLA dried soursop 180 g
The product information describes this as ready-to-eat dried fruit for a snack.
The stated fat content is 2.21 g per 100 g. The ingredients list includes white sugar, glucose and sodium metabisulphite; check the pack for the full ingredients and allergen information. Seal the pack securely after opening.
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Three Squirrels Red Apricot Dried 250 g
The product information describes the apricots as a ready-to-eat snack and mentions a resealable 250 g pack.
The stated fat content is 0 g per 100 g. The ingredients list includes white sugar and maltose syrup, so check the total sugars on the pack too. The stated fat value does not prove a claim that fat has been reduced.
Frequently asked questions
How much dried fruit is suitable for an evening snack?
The Voedingscentrum recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit a day. Count any portions you’ve already eaten that day; this is general dietary advice, not specific advice for a snack at a particular time.
When can a product be called ‘low fat’?
According to the European Commission, solid foods must contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g to carry the ‘low fat’ claim. This absolute threshold does not prove that the fat content has been reduced compared with a similar product.
Does ‘no added sugar’ also mean low in sugar?
No. PLUS lists 0 g of added sugars and 53.4 g of total sugars per 100 g for its dried apricots. So check the total sugars and how much you eat too.
Does dried fruit need to be refrigerated after opening?
It depends on the product. Albert Heijn says to refrigerate its rehydrated apricots after opening at a maximum of 7°C; for the ordinary dried apricots discussed, Jumbo recommends storing them in a cool, dry, dark place.
Are pitted apricots guaranteed to be free from stone fragments?
No. Jumbo warns that, in rare cases, pieces or fragments of stones may be present in its pitted dried apricots.