Who is this buying guide for?

Movie night with a protein goal

You want to know how much protein your snack actually provides, perhaps because you do strength training or endurance sports. Check the nutritional information for the exact product and the portion you eat, rather than relying on the name of a fruit or sporty packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that most people who do sport do not need special protein shakes or bars.

Mindful fruit snackers

You’re looking for a fruity movie-night snack and want to keep an eye on your portion size and sugar intake. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than 20 grams of dried fruit a day, so a whole sharing bag won’t necessarily count as one portion.

Snacks to take with you

You want packaging that you can portion out and reseal. If you’re going to the cinema, check the venue’s rules too: Pathé’s published school-visit FAQ says that food and drink brought in from outside cannot be consumed in its cinemas.

What should you look for in dried fruit for movie night?

First decide whether you’re mainly after a fruity snack or want to add some protein too. Then compare the nutritional information on a like-for-like basis, taking your portion size, the ingredients and where you’re watching the film into account.

Plain dried fruit

Choose this if: you mainly want a fruity snack and don’t expect it to be your main source of protein.

The trade-off: a small portion makes it easier to keep track of how much you’re eating, but it won’t necessarily provide much protein. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s cranberry example contains 0.1 grams of protein per 20-gram portion.

Dried fruit with nuts

Choose this if: you want to pair fruit with nuts as a plant-based source of protein and nuts are suitable for you.

The trade-off: the nutritional value of the mix depends on its exact ingredients and proportions. Check the allergen information too.

What to consider What should you look for? Who is this important for?
Protein per movie-night portion Compare the amount of protein and the basis it’s given on; weigh the portion you actually eat too. If I want to know how much protein my snack adds to my intake, I look at the portion size, not just the figure per 100 grams. Around 36% of consumers prioritise protein content.
Portion size and sugar Weigh your portion and check the sugars in the nutrition table and ingredients list. If I want to keep track of my fruit portion and sugar intake, I don’t want to eat a whole bag without noticing. Around 22% of consumers pay most attention to portion size and sugar.
Portioning and storage Check whether the packaging is resealable and follow the storage advice on the pack. If I want to spread my snacks over several movie nights, resealable packaging is handy. Around 14% of consumers prioritise convenience.
Allergens and ingredients Read the ingredients, allergen information and any cross-contamination warnings for the exact product. If I need to take an allergy or intolerance into account, the ingredients in the product I choose must be suitable. Around 14% of consumers give ingredient suitability top priority.
Packaging and cost Compare the same product variant at the same weight and consider how much you expect to use. If I don’t want to buy more than I’ll use, I compare the packaging and the current price per unit. Around 14% of consumers focus mainly on the cost per usable portion.

Common buying pitfalls

  • Assuming that a product containing protein is high in protein

    The name of a fruit or the presence of nuts doesn’t, on its own, tell you how much protein a product provides per portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 0.1 grams of protein per 20-gram portion of dried cranberries; this figure doesn’t automatically apply to other fruits or products.

    Compare the nutritional information for the exact product and check the amount it refers to. Don’t judge a protein claim on the ingredients alone.

  • Treating a whole bag as one movie-night portion

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than 20 grams of dried fruit a day. A bag may contain several portions.

    Set aside a portion beforehand and store the rest according to the instructions on the pack.

  • Choosing a nut mix without checking whether it’s suitable for you

    A mix containing nuts may not be suitable if you need to avoid certain nuts. Even if a product doesn’t visibly contain nuts, it’s wise to read the ingredients and allergen information.

    Check the information on the exact pack. If you’re sensitive to sulphites, check whether sulphites are listed for that specific product too.

  • Buying supermarket snacks for a cinema that doesn’t allow outside food

    Pathé’s published official school-visit FAQ says that food and drink brought in from outside cannot be consumed in its cinemas. This information relates to Pathé’s rules, not a general rule for all cinemas.

    Check the relevant house rules before you visit, or save your snacks for a movie night at home.

    If you buy snacks just for that visit, you may not be able to eat them there; any refreshments bought at the venue are an additional expense.

Relevant brands to consider

Albert Heijn

The dried fruit range also includes the Fruit & nuts line, including blueberries with cashew nuts.

  • This range is worth considering if you want to pair fruit with nuts.
  • A fruit and nut combination isn’t automatically high in protein; check the nutritional information for the exact product.

Jumbo

The official range features sultanas in several pack sizes.

  • The different pack weights make it easier to compare the same type of product in different sizes.
  • An organic variety or larger pack doesn’t automatically mean a higher protein content.

Lidl

Lidl sells both nuts and dried fruit under its Alesto brand.

  • These ranges are worth considering for a fruity snack or a combination with nuts.
  • The range itself doesn’t provide product-specific evidence of nutritional values or a protein claim.

ALDI

ALDI describes a 200-gram fruit mix in resealable packaging.

  • Resealable packaging can be handy if you want to spread the contents over several occasions.
  • Check the ingredients and nutritional information for each variety; different mixes may have different ingredients.

PLUS

The official product page describes PLUS Dried Apricots in a 375-gram stand-up pouch and lists collection or delivery as options.

  • The product name, pack weight and listed ways to buy can help you decide which pack to choose.
  • Check the current packaging for ingredients and nutritional information; product details can change.

Dirk

The official product page lists pitted apricots in the dried fruit and nuts category.

  • The product page gives you a specific product to include in your comparison.
  • The product name alone doesn’t tell you its nutritional value; check the latest product information.

Joybuy products for movie-night snacks

This selection from Joybuy includes fruity snacks and fruit and nut combinations. Only compare protein values when they’re given on the same basis, and don’t assume a product is high in protein.

Vinamit Jackfruit Snack In Pieces, 100 g

Vinamit Jackfruit Snack In Pieces (100 g)

A ready-to-eat jackfruit snack.

The product information lists jackfruit and vegetable oil. The stated 7.1 g of protein isn’t linked to a specific quantity, so don’t compare it directly with figures per 100 g or per portion.

View at Joybuy
Sihong Gray Dates with Walnuts, 208 g

Sihong Gray Dates with Walnuts (208 g)

A combination of dates and walnuts for anyone looking to pair fruit with nuts.

The nutrition table lists 3.4 g of protein per 100 g. Contains walnuts; not suitable if you need to avoid walnuts.

View at Joybuy
PHILIPPINE BRAND Dried Mango, 100 g

PHILIPPINE BRAND Dried Mango (100 g)

Individually wrapped dried mango for anyone who wants to take a fruity snack with them.

The product information lists 75% mango, sugar and E223. The nutrition table lists 2 g of protein per 100 g. Contains sulphites (E223).

View at Joybuy
g'woon Cashew Nut Cranberry Mix, 200 g

g'woon Cashew Nut Cranberry Mix (200 g)

A mix of cashew nuts and dried cranberries for anyone who wants to pair fruit with nuts.

The ingredients list states 50% cashew nuts and 50% dried cranberries; the nutrition table lists 10.9 g of protein and 32.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Contains cashew nuts and may contain traces of peanuts and other nuts.

View at Joybuy
MUSHAN BASE Dried Strawberry Slices, 50 g

MUSHAN BASE Dried Strawberry Slices (50 g)

Dried strawberries to enjoy as they are or use as a topping.

The ingredients list names strawberries and sugar. The nutrition table lists 1.2 g of protein and 57.4 g of sugars per 100 g. The pack can be resealed after opening.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can any dried fruit containing a little protein be called ‘high in protein’?

No. A small amount of protein on the label isn’t enough to classify a product as high in protein. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and the European Commission say that nutrition claims must meet EU requirements and must not be misleading. Compare the figures for the exact product; this buying guide doesn’t describe any specific product as high in protein.

Do I need a special high-protein movie-night snack after exercising?

Not necessarily. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, strength training or endurance sports can increase your protein requirements, but most people who do sport and eat a healthy, varied diet don’t need special protein shakes or bars. Consider your overall diet, not just what you eat while watching a film.

How can I keep track of my dried fruit portion?

Weigh out a portion in advance and store the rest according to the instructions on the pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than 20 grams of dried fruit a day; treat this as dietary advice, not a legal product limit.

What should I check if I have an allergy or intolerance?

Check the ingredients, allergen information and any cross-contamination warnings for the exact product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for pre-packed products must be shown on the label. If you’re sensitive to sulphites, check whether sulphites are listed for the product too.

Can I take my own snacks to Pathé?

Pathé’s published official FAQ for school visits says that food and drink brought in from outside cannot be consumed in its cinemas. This is information from Pathé for that specific context, not a general rule for all cinemas in the Netherlands. Check the relevant house rules before you visit. This cinema rule doesn’t apply to a movie night at home.