Health-conscious buffet host
You want to serve almonds without mistaking a preparation description for a nutritional claim. You check the ingredients, fat and energy per 100 g, as well as the portion you put out.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Fan of roasted snacks
You’re looking for a savoury, roasted snack and want to know whether oil or salt has been added. Oven-roasted almonds with no added oil and unsalted almonds roasted in oil are different choices.
Host catering for guests with allergies
You want to make it clear which dishes contain almonds and check for warnings about other nuts, peanuts or wheat. Specific information requirements apply to professionally catered buffets.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re mainly looking for a substantiated claim, a measured portion, a particular taste or clear allergen information. These preferences don’t necessarily mean the almonds have the same composition.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who might this matter more to? |
|---|---|---|
| Genuinely less fat | Check the claim for the exact product and compare the fat content per 100 g. | If reducing the fat in the product itself is my priority, I want to assess the claim alongside the nutritional information. Around 34% of consumers put reducing fat first. |
| Energy and portion size | Compare kcal per 100 g, then weigh out portions of the same size. | If I’m serving almonds alongside other buffet dishes, I want to decide how much to offer. Around 26% of consumers mainly want to limit the amount served. |
| Taste and added ingredients | Read the ingredients list and check separately for oil, salt and flavourings. | If I’m looking for a roasted or plain taste, I want to know which ingredients have been added to that product. Around 20% of consumers prioritise taste and preparation method. |
| Suitability for guests | Check the latest allergen information and clearly identify which dishes contain almonds. | If I’m serving guests, I want to check the allergen information and label dishes clearly. Around 20% of consumers prioritise suitability for guests. |
Common pitfalls when choosing
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Mistaking no added fat for low-fat
Adding no oil doesn’t remove the fat that almonds naturally contain. A description of how a product is prepared doesn’t prove that it meets the requirements for a nutritional claim.
Read the nutritional table alongside the preparation description, and treat them as two separate qualities.
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Mistaking unsalted for oil-free
The unsalted almonds from Jumbo and PLUS included in this review contain sunflower oil. So ‘unsalted’ doesn’t automatically tell you whether oil has been added.
Check the ingredients list for the product you’re buying to see separately whether it contains salt and oil.
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Comparing nutritional values for different portion sizes
A value per portion is only directly comparable if the portions weigh the same. The AH Terra product information reviewed here uses a 25 g portion; the Duyvis product information at Albert Heijn uses 30 g.
Compare values per 100 g first, then weigh out equal-sized portions for your buffet.
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Throwing away the packaging before serving
The current packaging may contain ingredients and allergen information that guests need.
Keep the packaging while you’re serving the almonds, so you can check the details for that specific product.
Brands to consider
Duyvis
Duyvis describes Almonds Original as oven-roasted with no added oil or fat, in a 125 g pack. This is information from the manufacturer, not an independent assessment.
- The preparation description is useful if you want to avoid added oil.
- This product contains salt and flavourings; no added oil doesn’t mean low-fat.
Albert Heijn
According to Albert Heijn, AH Terra Unroasted Almonds is an unsalted product with almonds as its only ingredient.
- The product page gives the ingredients and nutritional values for this product.
- The stated 52 g of fat per 100 g does not make this a low-fat product.
Jumbo
According to the product page, Jumbo Unsalted Almonds are a roasted product containing 99% almonds and sunflower oil.
- The product information makes it clear what the unsalted product contains.
- The product page states 60.0 g of fat per 100 g; unsalted doesn’t mean low-fat or oil-free.
PLUS
According to the product page, PLUS Unsalted Almonds are a roasted product containing 98% almonds and sunflower oil.
- The product page lists the ingredients and nutritional values for this product.
- The stated 55.1 g of fat per 100 g is not low-fat; this information applies to the product described.
Lidl
Lidl sells almonds under its Alesto own-brand range in the Netherlands, which positions nuts as a snack and topping.
- Alesto is a brand to consider when looking for almonds.
- The brand’s general positioning doesn’t provide product-specific evidence of reduced fat content.
Aldi
The Dutch ALDI product page lists TRADER JOE'S Almonds in roasted salted and roasted smoky flavour varieties.
- The product page describes different roasted flavours and a resealable pack.
- The flavour and packaging don’t show that a product is low-fat; check the nutritional information for each product.
Almond products at Joybuy
This selection includes regular almond products for snacking or serving at a buffet, not products proven to be low-fat. The European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for the ‘low-fat’ claim on solid foods; all the product values listed below are higher than this.
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Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels 160 g
A good choice if you’re looking for almonds to eat straight away or use as a topping.
- Fat: 53.8 g per 100 g.
- Ingredients: 100% almonds.
- The product description suggests using them as a snack, in baking or as a topping.
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g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted 200g
A good choice if you’re looking for unroasted, unsalted almonds with no added oil.
- Fat: 50 g per 100 g.
- The product title says Raw and Unsalted; the ingredients information lists almonds only.
- The product description suggests eating them as a snack.
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Anatolia Badem Natural Almonds 500 g
A good choice if you’re looking for almonds to snack on or use as a topping.
- Fat: 50 g per 100 g.
- The ingredients information lists almonds.
- The product description suggests using them in baking, cooking or as a topping.
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Anatolia roasted salted almonds 500 g
A good choice if you’re looking for roasted, salted almonds for your buffet.
- Fat: 54 g per 100 g.
- The title and product description describe roasted, salted almonds.
- The product description states that the product is unsuitable for babies and warns of a choking hazard for young children.
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g'woon Roasted & Salted Almonds 150g
A good choice if you’re looking for roasted, savoury almonds for a snack or to add to dishes.
- Fat: 53 g per 100 g.
- The ingredients information lists 97% almonds, sunflower oil and salt.
- The product description suggests eating them as a snack, adding them to salads or using them in baking.
Frequently asked questions
When can you describe almonds as low-fat?
For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for the ‘low-fat’ claim. This is a limit on the product’s composition, not a description of how it is prepared.
How can I check whether almonds really contain less fat?
Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and, if there’s a comparative claim, check what comparison applies to the exact product. ‘No added oil’ describes how the almonds are prepared; on its own, it doesn’t mean the total fat content is lower.
Does unsalted mean no oil has been added?
No. The unsalted products from Jumbo and PLUS reviewed here contain sunflower oil. So check the ingredients list separately for salt and oil.
How should I store almonds before and after the buffet?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing nuts in a well-sealed container in a dry place, preferably somewhere cool; AH Terra’s product information says to store them in a cool, dark, dry place.
What allergen information should I provide at a buffet?
The NVWA requires allergen information for unpackaged food offered professionally; for nuts, the specific type must be made clear. This specific information requirement is not presented here as a general obligation for a private buffet. Also check the current packaging of the almonds you’re serving for information relevant to your guests.
Are whole almonds suitable as a snack for young children?
Not necessarily. The AH Terra product page warns that young children can choke on nuts. Bear this warning in mind before serving whole almonds to children.