Lunch portions for several days
Do you regularly eat dried fruit and portion it out at home from a larger pack? The pack size and price per kilogram can help you choose a size that suits how much you use.
Who is this for?
Mindful portioners
Would you like to take dried fruit with you without treating a large bag as one snack portion? Weigh out your portion and bear in mind the Voedingscentrum’s recommendation to eat no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day.
Lunchbox snackers who like variety
Do you take dried fruit to work only occasionally, or alternate raisins with other fruit? A smaller pack or a different type of fruit may be a better fit for how often you use it.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, compare the cost by weight and how much you’ll actually use. Then choose a pack size, portion and type of fruit that suit your lunch routine and storage options.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per portion | Compare the same type of fruit by price per kilogram, then work out the cost based on the weight you use. | If I mainly want to know how much my lunch portion costs, I compare the price per kilogram with the weight of my own portion. Around 36% of consumers prioritise the cost per portion they use. |
| Portion and ingredients | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety. The Voedingscentrum recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day. | If I want to weigh my portion and check the ingredients or allergens, I look at the packaging for that exact variety. Around 29% of consumers prioritise portion size and ingredients. |
| Pack size and storage | Choose a pack size that suits how often you use it, and follow the storage instructions for the type of fruit. For opened raisins, the Voedingscentrum recommends storing them in a kitchen cupboard for 6–9 months. | If I don’t use dried fruit often, I want to know how much I’ll be opening and how to store it. Around 21% of consumers prioritise managing their stock. |
| Variety and convenience | Check the type of fruit, the number of individual packs and whether a mix also contains nuts or other ingredients. | If I want variety or something convenient to take with me, I check exactly what’s in the pack and whether I’ll need to portion it out myself. Around 14% of consumers prioritise variety and convenience. |
Pitfalls to avoid when buying
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Treating a large multipack as one snack portion
The contents of a bag aren’t a recommended serving. The Voedingscentrum recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day.
Weigh out a portion at home to pack for lunch.
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Judging value by the bag price or the words ‘2-pack’ alone
Pack sizes can vary. ‘2-pack’ doesn’t tell you the total weight, how many individual lunch portions there are or the price per kilogram.
Compare the same type of fruit by price per kilogram, then choose a pack size that suits how much you use.
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Assuming a fruit mix is the same as unsweetened dried fruit
A mix may contain other ingredients. The Voedingscentrum states that sweetened dried fruit isn’t included in the Wheel of Five.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the variety you choose.
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Applying storage advice for raisins to all dried fruit
The storage period given by the Voedingscentrum applies to opened raisins, not automatically to other types of fruit.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for each variety.
Brands and product ranges as a guide
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s product listings include raisins and a separate variety of soaked dried apricots.
- Albert Heijn lists raisins in a 2-pack, as well as a separate variety of soaked dried apricots.
- A 2-pack doesn’t prove that the packs are individual lunch portions or that the price per kilogram is lower.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists sultana raisins in several pack sizes, so you can choose an amount that suits your storage needs.
- The official product listings include 250, 500 and 750 g bags.
- A larger pack doesn’t automatically mean a lower price per kilogram compared with other shops.
Lidl
Lidl describes Alesto as a range of nuts and dried fruit, including mango strips.
- Lidl suggests the mango strips for work or when you’re on the go.
- This product description isn’t an independent assessment of taste or quality, and doesn’t provide a basis for comparing prices by weight.
ALDI
The Trader Joe’s products mentioned include raisins and cranberry and raisin varieties.
- ALDI lists raisins in a 500 g pack; a 200 g product range with cranberry and raisin varieties is described as having resealable packaging.
- These packaging details apply to the products mentioned and don’t necessarily apply to other varieties.
PLUS
PLUS lists sultana raisins in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
- This gives you a specific pack size to compare with larger multipacks.
- The term ‘stand-up pouch’ doesn’t in itself prove that the pack is resealable.
Dirk
Dirk’s product listings include raisins in several pack sizes.
- The pack sizes mentioned are 750 g and 375 g.
- Pack size alone doesn’t show which option has the lowest price per kilogram.
Joybuy products for lunch and work
These Joybuy products include a smaller pack of raisins and mixed snacks for work. The mixed products also contain nuts and other ingredients; they aren’t made exclusively from dried fruit.
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Sundrop Mini Raisin Handouts, 252 g
The 252 g pack is a good fit if you’re looking for a smaller amount of raisins for lunch.
The product description lists 99.5% raisins and sunflower oil.
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Full of fruit flavor dried fruit and nut mix, 5-pack, 1.073 kg
The product description mentions snacks for the office and a mix to share; this product isn’t made exclusively from dried fruit.
According to the description, the multipack includes plums, dates, raisins and banana chips, among other ingredients. The ingredients description lists tree nuts and ingredients containing sugar, including banana chips and plums.
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J.ZAO Classic Daily-Nut Mix, 750 g, 30 sachets
The product description mentions individually sealed sachets for a snack at work; the mix isn’t made exclusively from dried fruit.
According to the description, the pack contains 30 sachets of 25 g. The mix contains tree nuts; the dried cranberries contain sugar, according to the ingredients description.
Frequently asked questions
How do you compare the cost of one lunch portion?
Multiply the price per kilogram by the portion weight in grams, then divide by 1,000. For a 20 g portion, that’s the price per kilogram × 0.02. Compare the same type of fruit, and add any delivery charges for your order separately.
How many portions can you get from a bag of dried fruit?
At 20 g per portion, 500 g provides 25 portions. A 750 g pack gives you 37 full portions, with 10 g left over; a 375 g pack gives you 18 full portions, with 15 g left over. This calculation is based on the pack contents, with no wastage. The Voedingscentrum recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day; this doesn’t mean you have to eat that amount every day.
How long can you keep raisins once opened?
The Voedingscentrum’s storage guide recommends keeping opened raisins in a kitchen cupboard for 6–9 months. Follow the instructions on your own packaging, and don’t automatically apply this period to soaked apricots or other fruit mixes.
Is dried fruit with no added sugar an unlimited snack?
No. The Voedingscentrum recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day. It also states that sweetened dried fruit isn’t included in the Wheel of Five. Check the ingredients list for the variety you choose, even if the product name says nothing about added sugar.
What should you look for when checking allergens in dried fruit or a mix?
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack, especially for a mix containing nuts or other additions. The Voedingscentrum’s allergen information includes sulphites, nuts and peanuts, among other allergens; don’t assume every variety has the same ingredients.