Use dried fruit as a fruity addition, and choose a separate source of protein if extra protein is your main goal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 0.4 g of protein in one 9 g dried apricot, so check the nutritional information for the portion and the specific product. Don’t assume that a fruit or nut mix is high in protein.
If you want to keep your sports nutrition in mind when serving drinks and nibbles, check the protein content of the whole portion and consider your overall diet. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that most people who exercise don’t need special protein shakes or bars if they eat a healthy, varied diet.
If you’re looking for something that’s easy to portion and store, compare pack sizes and follow the product’s storage instructions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing dried fruit mix in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container.
Choose fruit and any nut or dairy components to suit your guests’ needs. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products, so check each item individually.
A good choice if: you’re looking for a fruity addition and the protein comes from other items you serve.
Bear in mind: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 0.4 g of protein per 9 g dried apricot. This is general nutritional information, not a product specification for every variety.
A good choice if: you’d like to serve fruit and nuts together as a snack.
Bear in mind: the proportions vary from product to product, and a mix won’t necessarily suit every guest.
A good choice if: extra protein is important and you’d like to serve fruit as a separate item.
Bear in mind: quark is a different product category. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 11.2 g of protein per 150 g bowl, but this figure won’t necessarily apply to every variety.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should give this more thought? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per portion | Check the nutritional information for the portion you’ll serve, not just the figures per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 0.4 g of protein in one 9 g dried apricot. | If you want your spread to make a meaningful contribution to your protein intake, check the whole portion and any separate source of protein. Around 31% of consumers prioritise protein content. |
| Portioning and storage | Compare the net weight with the amount you need and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing dried fruit mix in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. | If you want to prepare portions without much fuss, check the quantity and the instructions for after opening. Around 25% of consumers put ease of serving first. |
| Portions and sugars | Read the ingredients list and decide in advance how much fruit you’ll serve. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit per day. This is dietary advice, not a legal portion limit. | If you want to keep an eye on the amount of dried fruit and added sugars, check the ingredients and portion size. Around 19% of consumers start by considering portion control. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Check the allergen information and warnings on the current packaging of each item. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists nuts, peanuts, milk, soya and sulphites among allergens. | If an allergy or dietary requirement affects what you can serve, assess each product individually. Around 13% of consumers prioritise suitability for their dietary needs. |
| Cost and where to buy | Compare products in the same quantity and check which purchasing option suits you. PLUS offers delivery and collection; Dirk does not list a delivery service. | If you mainly want to keep a check on the total cost of your planned spread, compare the quantities you need and any additional items. Around 12% of consumers prioritise overall cost. |
A fruit product may have a different role from a separate source of protein. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 0.4 g of protein per 9 g dried apricot.
Check the protein content of the whole portion and the relevant conditions before making a nutrition claim.
A product with no added sugars may still contain naturally occurring sugars. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between these terms.
Check both the ingredients list and the nutritional information, and decide on your portion in advance.
A mix may contain ingredients that aren’t suitable for everyone, including nuts, peanuts, milk or sulphites.
Check dietary requirements and read every label. Serving items separately gives guests a choice, but doesn’t in itself prove that a product is allergen-free.
If your guests have different dietary requirements, you may need to prepare separate alternatives.
Albert Heijn lists AH Soaked Dried Apricots as a fruity option to serve with drinks and nibbles.
Jumbo lists Pitted Dried Apricots 250 g.
Lidl presents Alesto as a range of nuts and dried fruit.
ALDI lists TRADER JOE'S Sun-Dried Apricots 250 g and describes them as soft.
PLUS lists dried apricots in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
Dirk lists pitted apricots in its dried fruit and nuts range.
This selection includes dried fruit and fruit and nut mixes to serve with drinks and nibbles. The nutritional information listed is specific to each product and doesn’t in itself confirm a claim such as ‘high in protein’.
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A shareable selection of five snacks, including prunes, raisins, banana chips and a variety of nuts.
The product description gives a total weight of 1.073 kg. The prunes contain aspartame, a source of phenylalanine. Check the individual packs for ingredients and allergens too.
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A fruit and nut mix with raisins and nuts, for anyone who’d like to serve these together.
The product description lists 40% raisins, 38% peanuts, cashews and almonds, and 15.6 g of protein per 100 g. This doesn’t in itself confirm a claim such as ‘high in protein’. Contains peanuts, cashews and almonds; the description also mentions possible traces of other nuts.
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A fruit and nut mix with cashews and dried cranberries, ideal as a snack to serve with drinks and nibbles.
The product description lists 50% cashews, 50% sweetened dried cranberries and 10.9 g of protein per 100 g. This figure doesn’t in itself confirm a nutrition claim. Contains cashews and may contain traces of peanuts and other nuts.
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Dried apricots make a fruity addition and, according to the product description, are ready to eat.
The description lists 1.1 g of protein per 100 g. This doesn’t support a significant role as a protein source or confirm a nutrition claim. Contains sulphites. The storage advice is to keep in a cool, dry place and consume immediately after opening.
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Dried strawberries make a fruity snack to serve with drinks and nibbles, or a topping for yoghurt and desserts.
The product description lists 1.2 g of protein per 100 g and says the pack is resealable. The ingredients are dried strawberries and sugar; the protein content doesn’t confirm a nutrition claim.
No, not necessarily. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that most people who exercise don’t need special protein shakes or bars if they eat a healthy, varied diet. Your needs depend partly on your diet and the type of exercise you do.
No. The ingredients or a single protein figure aren’t enough to support that claim. According to the European Union, a nutrition claim must meet the official definition and applicable conditions. Check the specific product information before using one.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit per day. This is dietary advice, not a legal portion limit or a guarantee that a snack served with drinks and nibbles will meet a protein target.
Follow the instructions for your chosen product. For dried fruit mix, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storage in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. This advice isn’t a general guarantee of shelf life for soaked fruit or dairy combinations.
Check the current packaging for each item. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label. Check warnings and possible traces too.
