Choose a larger pack of unsalted nuts if your household uses them regularly and you can store them properly. A smaller pack may suit you better if you use fewer nuts or want to try a particular mix first. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between nuts as part of your everyday diet and carbohydrates for prolonged exercise, so don’t automatically treat nuts as a replacement for sports nutrition. Compare similar products by weight and ingredients, and check the current label, allergen information and storage instructions.
You’re looking for nuts to eat with meals and as snacks during a marathon training block, and want to distinguish between everyday foods and carbohydrate-rich options for long training sessions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre covers food and drink for fitness training and endurance sports.
You want to share a larger pack and weigh up its contents, ingredients and storage life, rather than relying on the word ‘value’ alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also provides storage advice for mixed unsalted nuts.
You want to choose between, for example, a nut mix, cashews or peanuts, and pay attention to ingredients and allergens. If you have an existing food allergy, check the ingredients and warnings on the specific pack. These do not set a general threshold for other consumers.
| Buying concern | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Role in your training | Decide whether you’re looking for nuts to eat with everyday meals or for extra carbohydrates during exercise. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre discusses carbohydrate requirements for endurance sports. | If you’re planning food for long training sessions, don’t automatically equate nuts with carbohydrate-rich sports nutrition. Around 34% of consumers say the role of nuts in the diet is their main buying concern. |
| Quantity and value for money | Compare the weight and price per kilogram of products with similar ingredients; a larger bag isn’t automatically better value. | If you regularly buy nuts for several people in your household, you’ll want to know whether the quantity suits how much you use, not just the price of the bag. Around 33% of consumers prioritise weighing up quantity and ingredients. |
| Stock and storage | Choose an amount you can use, and follow the storage instructions on the pack. For mixed unsalted nuts, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that quality can deteriorate, with signs such as a rancid smell or taste, a tough texture or mould. | If your household won’t get through a large bag quickly, you’ll want to match the quantity to how much you use and how you can store it. Around 20% of consumers say manageable storage is their main buying concern. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack. Nut mixes, cashews and peanuts have different ingredients; the NVWA explains how allergens must be labelled on prepacked products. | If you’re looking for a particular type or managing an existing allergy, check the specific ingredients and any warnings before choosing. Around 13% of consumers prioritise ingredients and allergen information. |
Carbohydrate requirements can increase during marathon training. For the Duyvis peanuts reviewed, Flink lists 11 g of carbohydrates and 52 g of fat per 100 g. These figures don’t show that the peanuts provide enough carbohydrates for a long training session.
First decide whether you’re looking for nuts as part of your everyday diet or for extra carbohydrates during exercise. Use the label and the time you plan to eat them to assess the products.
Pack size, ingredients and intended use can vary. A larger bag therefore isn’t automatically better value for what your household needs.
Compare the price per kilogram of similar products and choose an amount your household can use.
A larger stock also needs enough storage space and a plan for using it in time.
The ALDI mix is described as containing almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts. For the unsalted Duyvis product reviewed, the ingredients listed are peanuts and sunflower oil, and the pack notes that it may contain traces of other nuts.
Compare the ingredients and allergen information before deciding based on pack size or price. The NVWA notes that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products.
The Duyvis Unsalted Peanuts product reviewed comes in a smaller pack for anyone specifically looking for peanuts.
AH Unsalted Nut Mix is listed in a 500 g pack.
Jumbo lists an unroasted nut mix as a 500 g value pack.
The unsalted cashews reviewed are an option if you’re looking for one type of nut rather than a mix.
TRADER JOE’S Unsalted Nut Mix is listed by ALDI in a 500 g pack.
PLUS lists an unroasted, unsalted nut mix in a 500 g stand-up pouch.
These product picks focus on larger packs of nuts for regular household use, alongside single-variety options and portion packs.
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An option if you’re looking for mixed nuts to keep in the cupboard for regular household use.
500 g pack; described as unroasted and unsalted.
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An option if you’re looking for a pack of pine nuts rather than a mixed nut selection.
500 g pack. The product description says it contains at least 98% pine nuts, lightly roasted and ready to eat.
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An option if you’re looking for a single type of nut to snack on, bake with or share.
500 g pack; the product description states that it contains 100% macadamia nuts, with no added salt, sugar or seasoning.
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An option if you’re looking for peanuts in their shells to keep at home.
500 g pack; the peanuts are in their shells and need to be shelled before eating.
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An option if you’re looking for portions containing both nuts and dried fruit.
The pack contains 750 g in 30 sachets of 25 g. The ingredients description includes walnuts, almonds, cashews and hazelnuts, as well as dried fruit; this isn’t a pack of nuts alone.
Don’t automatically rely on nuts as your only fuel for a long run. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that carbohydrate requirements increase during marathon training, and that carbohydrates may be beneficial during exercise lasting more than an hour. For the Duyvis peanuts reviewed, Flink lists 11 g of carbohydrates and 52 g of fat per 100 g; calorie content alone doesn’t indicate how much carbohydrate a product provides.
No. The term ‘value pack’ doesn’t prove that it is. Compare the price per kilogram of products with similar ingredients and consider how much your household uses.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack. For mixed unsalted nuts, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s quality guidance is 6 months in a kitchen cupboard and 1 year in the freezer; quality may deteriorate after that. Look out for a rancid smell or taste, a tough texture and mould. This advice isn’t a guarantee for every variety or storage condition.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack. According to the NVWA, allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products. For the Duyvis peanuts reviewed, the manufacturer notes that they may contain traces of various types of nuts; if you have an existing allergy, check the warnings on the pack you choose.
Check the current pack before eating the product. Albert Heijn and PLUS state that product information can change; if you have any questions, contact the relevant retailer’s customer service team.
