Look at the amount of protein in the portion you’ll actually take with you. The PLUS goji berries reviewed contain 14 g per 100 g, compared with 3.4 g per 100 g for the PLUS apricots reviewed. So, based on PLUS product information, a 20 g portion works out at 2.8 g and 0.68 g of protein respectively. Only use ‘high in protein’ or a similar claim if the product demonstrably meets the applicable requirements; a protein figure alone is not proof.
You want to know how much protein a fruit snack you take with you actually contributes to your post-exercise meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between recreational athletes and situations where getting enough protein from everyday food is difficult in practice.
You’re looking for a snack whose storage instructions you can follow while you’re out. Pay particular attention to the difference between dry products and soaked varieties that need to be refrigerated after opening.
You compare ingredients, sugars and any allergens that matter to you. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that pre-packed products should show allergen information on the label; check the packaging of the exact variety.
First compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then work out how they translate to the portion you want to take with you. The European Union sets out nutrition labelling per 100 g or 100 ml as a basis for comparison.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per portion | Convert the grams of protein per 100 g to your own portion size, and consider your whole meal too. A nutrition claim needs to be assessed separately. | If you want to know what a small fruit snack actually contributes after exercise, the amount in your portion is what matters most. Around 36% of consumers prioritise its protein contribution. |
| Taking it with you and storage | Check the instructions for storage before and after opening, and consider whether you can keep the pack chilled at the festival. | If you don’t have refrigeration with you, choose a variety whose storage instructions you can follow while you’re out. For around 29% of consumers, ease of taking it with them matters most. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, sugars and any allergen or trace warnings for the exact variety. | If sulphites or possible traces of allergens matter to you, check the packaging for this information. Around 21% of consumers give the highest priority to ingredients and allergens. |
| Pack size | Choose a pack size that suits how much you want to take with you and how much you’ll use after the festival. | To avoid taking more than you need, check the net weight and how much you expect to use afterwards. Around 14% of consumers focus mainly on a practical portion size. |
The PLUS goji berries reviewed contain 14 g of protein per 100 g, so 20 g provides 2.8 g based on that figure. The PLUS apricots reviewed contain 3.4 g per 100 g, or 0.68 g in a 20 g portion. These figures come from the nutrition information for these specific products; they are not general values for all goji berries or apricots.
The same PLUS apricots list 53.4 g of sugars per 100 g and 0 g of added sugars. These figures describe different things: ‘no added sugars’ does not mean that the product contains no sugars naturally present in it.
A protein figure on the label doesn’t automatically substantiate every claim about protein or recovery. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and the European Union point out that nutrition claims must meet the applicable requirements.
Keep the grams per portion, a nutrition claim and any health claim separate. Don’t base a claim about a specific product solely on its sporty image or product name.
Storage instructions vary from product to product. AH Soaked Dried Apricots must be refrigerated after opening at a maximum of 7 °C; this instruction applies to this variety.
Check the instructions on the pack, and only take a variety with you if you can follow its storage instructions while you’re out.
A soaked variety may need to be refrigerated after opening, making it less practical to take along if you don’t have refrigeration.
Dried apricots may contain sulphites, and a goji berry product may carry a warning about possible traces of allergens. The name of the fruit alone won’t tell you which ingredients or warnings apply to the exact pack.
Read the ingredients list and trace warnings for the variety you’re buying, and check them against your own allergen requirements.
The features listed relate to specific product listings or product ranges. They are not a verdict on a retailer’s entire range and don’t, in themselves, say anything about current availability.
Albert Heijn lists AH Soaked Dried Apricots, a variety for anyone looking for a soft fruit snack.
Jumbo lists Pitted Dried Apricots 250 g as a standard dried fruit snack.
Lidl describes Alesto as a range that includes nuts and dried fruit, including apricots.
ALDI Netherlands lists Trader Joe’s Sun-Dried Apricots 250 g and describes them as soft dried apricots.
PLUS lists dried apricots in a 375 g pack, among other products, as well as Raw Organic Food Organic Goji Berries in a 200 g bag.
Dirk lists pitted apricots in a 200 g pack, among other products, as well as RAW Organic Food Goji Berries.
Not necessarily. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between recreational athletes and situations where getting enough protein from everyday food is difficult in practice. Base your choice on your actual level of exercise and your whole meal, not just on going to a festival.
Only when the product meets the applicable requirements for that nutrition claim. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and the European Union make clear that a protein figure alone is no substitute for this assessment.
Convert the nutrition information per 100 g to the weight of the portion you’re taking with you. Based on 14 g of protein per 100 g, 20 g of the PLUS goji berries reviewed works out at 2.8 g of protein; the PLUS apricots reviewed contain 3.4 g per 100 g, which works out at 0.68 g per 20 g.
No. Follow the instructions for the exact variety. AH Soaked Dried Apricots must be refrigerated after opening at a maximum of 7 °C. Check the packaging instructions for other apricot products too.
No. The PLUS apricots reviewed list 0 g of added sugars and 53.4 g of sugars naturally present in the product per 100 g. Consider the total amount of sugars and the portion you eat separately.
