If you want to eat less fat
Compare total fat content and portion size rather than relying on words such as ‘unsalted’. For solid foods, the European Commission sets the threshold for a low-fat claim at no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g.
Who is this advice for?
If you need to avoid a specific allergen
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product variant. Peanuts and tree nuts are separate allergens to consider; a general ‘free from’ claim does not automatically tell you whether a product is free from every allergen. The NVWA and Allergie Centra Nederland provide guidance on this.
If portion size and convenience matter to you
Look for an amount you can use at home or on the go without leaving unnecessary leftovers. The Voedingscentrum recommends storing nuts in a sealed container in a cool, dry place, and points out that fresh chestnuts spoil more quickly.
What should you look for?
Sweet chestnuts
A good fit if: you’re mainly looking for a low total fat content per 100 g and the allergen information for the specific product meets your needs.
Bear in mind: the AH Chestnuts we looked at were no longer in the range and need to be prepared. Chestnuts are also not the same as a ready-to-eat nut mix.
Regular nuts or peanuts
A good fit if: the nut or peanut you choose is not an allergen you need to avoid, and the fat in your portion fits into your diet.
Bear in mind: ‘unsalted’ tells you about salt, not total fat. A smaller portion does not change the nutritional values per 100 g.
Avoiding a particular nut or peanut
A good fit if: the nut or peanut in question is the allergen you need to avoid. A favourable fat content does not make that product variant suitable for you.
Bear in mind: an allergy to one type of nut does not automatically mean you’re allergic to all nuts. However, a ‘free from’ claim is not a general guarantee that a product is free from other allergens.
| Buying concern | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens | Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product variant, including any warning about possible cross-contamination. | If I need to avoid a specific allergen, I want to know exactly which nut or peanut is in the pack. This makes allergen checks the top priority for around 34% of consumers in this decision. |
| Total fat | Compare total fat per 100 g. For solid foods, the threshold for a low-fat claim is no more than 3 g per 100 g. | If you want to limit the fat in a snack, compare the full nutritional information, not just the salt content. Around 33% of consumers in this decision put total fat first. |
| Portion size | Weigh the amount you eat. For branded products, use the nutritional information for that exact variant. | If I want to fit nuts into my diet, how much I actually serve myself matters too. Portion control is the top buying priority for around 20% of consumers in this decision. |
| Storage and preparation | Check the preparation and storage instructions, and choose a pack size that matches how much you can use. | If you have little time to prepare chestnuts or want to finish a pack in time, consider the product format and shelf life. Around 13% of consumers in this decision prioritise convenience. |
How to avoid common buying mistakes
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Assuming a ‘free from’ claim means free from all allergens
A product variant may carry a specific ‘free from’ claim and still contain another relevant allergen. Peanuts and tree nuts need to be checked separately when reviewing allergen information.
First work out which allergen you need to avoid, then check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.
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Confusing unsalted with low-fat
The Dutch Flink product page lists 52 g of fat per 100 g for Duyvis Unsalted Peanuts 235 g. The European Commission sets the threshold for a low-fat claim on solid foods at no more than 3 g per 100 g.
Compare total fat separately from salt, then consider how much of the snack you eat.
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Treating a whole bag as one portion
According to the Voedingscentrum, a standard 25 g portion of unsalted nuts contains 14.9 g of fat. The amount you serve yourself therefore affects your total intake.
Weigh out a suitable portion and, for packaged branded products, use the nutrition table for the exact variant.
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Treating fresh chestnuts like a ready-to-eat mix with a long shelf life
Fresh chestnuts spoil more quickly than most other nuts. The AH Chestnuts we looked at also need to be prepared.
Follow the preparation and storage instructions on the pack, and choose an amount you can use in time.
Scoring and preparing chestnuts takes time, and their short shelf life means you’ll need to plan ahead.
Brands and variants to consider
Duyvis
Worth considering for ready-to-eat peanuts, including the Unsalted Peanuts variant.
- Duyvis describes this variant as peanuts without salt.
- Flink lists 52 g of fat per 100 g for Duyvis Unsalted Peanuts 235 g, so ‘unsalted’ does not mean low-fat in this case.
Albert Heijn
The variants we looked at include unsalted almonds and AH Chestnuts.
- The product information for AH Chestnuts listed 2.7 g of fat per 100 g and described them as gluten-free and lactose-free.
- AH Chestnuts were no longer in the range. The listed attributes apply to that product information and do not prove the product is free from all allergens.
Jumbo
The product options we looked at are Jumbo Unsalted Peanuts 250 g and cooked chestnuts.
- The product page confirms the Unsalted Peanuts 250 g variant.
- The Jumbo page for cooked chestnuts says the product is no longer available online. ‘Unsalted’ on its own tells you nothing about fat content or allergens.
Lidl
The product option we looked at is Unsalted Almonds.
- The Dutch product page confirms the product name and variant.
- Check the latest nutritional values and allergen information on the pack. The product name alone does not show that the almonds are low-fat or suitable for someone with a specific allergy.
ALDI
The nut option we looked at is the 500 g pack of unsalted Trader Joe’s Nut Mix.
- According to the product description, the mix contains almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts.
- This mix is not suitable as a general nut-free snack. Check the pack for the latest ingredients and allergen information.
PLUS
The own-brand variant we looked at is PLUS Unsalted Almonds, in a 150 g stand-up pouch.
- The PLUS product page confirms the variant and pack size.
- PLUS warns that product information, nutritional values and allergy information may change. Always check the latest packaging for this variant.
Joybuy products
This selection includes chestnut products and regular nuts or peanuts. Check the fat content, portion size and allergen information for each exact variant.
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Titiz Roasted Chestnuts 125g
A roasted chestnut snack to take with you. If fat content is a deciding factor, check the nutrition table per 100 g.
Contains chestnut. A statement about certain allergens is not a general guarantee that the product is suitable for your specific allergy.
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7FRESH Chestnut Kernels 300g
The product information describes these chestnut kernels as ready to eat and handy to take with you. If you’re choosing based on total fat, compare the nutritional values per 100 g on the latest packaging.
Contains chestnut; the product information also lists chestnut as an allergen.
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g’woon Unsalted Peanuts 250g
An unsalted peanut snack for anyone keeping an eye on portion size and how much fat it adds to their diet. Unsalted does not mean low-fat.
Contains peanuts and may contain cashews.
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g’woon Raw & Unsalted Almonds 200g
This variant contains raw, unsalted almonds to enjoy as a snack or use as an ingredient. Check the label for the fat content and allergen information for the exact pack.
Contains almonds.
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g’woon Roasted & Unsalted Cashew Nuts 200g
A roasted, unsalted cashew variant for anyone keeping an eye on portion size and fat intake. The product format and salt content alone do not mean it is low-fat.
Contains cashews.
Frequently asked questions
When can a snack be labelled low-fat in the Netherlands?
For solid foods, the European Commission sets the threshold for a low-fat nutrition claim at no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. This criterion relates to the product’s composition per 100 g; it does not determine whether a particular portion fits into your personal diet.
Does lactose-free mean suitable for someone with a milk allergy?
No. Lactose-free and free from milk proteins do not mean the same thing. If you have a milk allergy, check the allergen information specifically for milk and don’t rely on a lactose-free claim alone.
If you’re allergic to one type of nut, do you need to avoid all nuts?
Not necessarily. According to Allergie Centra Nederland, an allergy to one type of nut does not necessarily mean you’re allergic to all nuts. Get individual advice on whether other types are suitable, and bear in mind that peanuts can cause allergic reactions separately.
Does cooking or roasting make nuts safe for someone with a nut allergy?
Don’t assume so. Stichting Voedselallergie states that the allergen remains stable when heated. Preparing a nut is therefore not a general way to make it safe for someone who is allergic to it.
How do you prepare the fresh AH chestnuts we looked at?
The instructions for AH Chestnuts 500 g say to carefully score a cross in each chestnut before cooking. The stated oven method is 15–20 minutes at 200 °C; these instructions apply to that specific product variant.