Families stocking up on everyday snacks
You’re looking for a pack that suits regular use during the school holidays. Check the pack size and ingredients, and whether you can keep the nuts tightly sealed and dry after opening.
Who should choose a larger or smaller pack of nuts?
Parents choosing carefully for their children
You want to know which ingredients and allergens the pack contains, and whether the way the nuts are served is suitable. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that whole nuts and peanuts can cause choking, while the NVWA explains the allergen information that must appear on labels.
Households that don’t eat many nuts
You don’t want to buy more than you’ll use, so a smaller pack may be worth considering. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing nuts in a tightly sealed container in a dry place.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by thinking about how much your household is likely to get through. Then check the variety, ingredients and the form that’s suitable for the people you’ll be sharing the nuts with.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| A pack size that suits your needs | Compare the net contents with how much your household usually uses. | If I serve nuts regularly during the holidays, I want a pack that suits how much we eat. Around 30% of consumers prioritise choosing a suitable pack size. |
| Unsalted ingredients | Check the exact variety and nutritional information; unroasted doesn’t automatically mean unsalted. | I’d rather choose a clearly labelled unsalted variety than focus only on the bag size. Around 23% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Children and allergens | Check the ingredients and allergens on the label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that whole nuts and peanuts can cause choking. | When children are eating too, I want to know first what form is suitable and which allergens are present. Around 23% of consumers prioritise child safety and allergens. |
| Using it up and storage | Estimate how much you’ll use and follow the storage advice on the pack; keep nuts tightly sealed and dry. | If we don’t eat many nuts, I want to be able to use up the pack and store it properly after opening. Around 16% of consumers prioritise using up and storing the contents. |
| Type of nut or mix you want | Read which types of nuts are in the mix and compare them with what your household likes to eat. | If my household only likes one particular type of nut, I check the contents rather than relying on the word ‘mix’. Around 8% of consumers prioritise their preferred type of nut or mix. |
Pitfalls to avoid when choosing nuts for the holidays
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Choosing a large bag before you know who’ll be eating
Whole nuts and peanuts can cause choking, and nuts and peanuts are allergens that need to be considered. So a large pack won’t automatically be suitable for everyone at the table.
Before sharing, check which allergens are relevant and consider the form the nuts are served in. Make sure children are sitting calmly and stay nearby, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises.
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Assuming a larger pack is always the better choice
A larger pack doesn’t tell you whether your household will use it all. The product name or pack size alone won’t tell you what quantity is right for you.
Compare the pack size with how much you expect to use, and choose a smaller one if that’s a better fit.
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Reading ‘unroasted’ as ‘unsalted’
How nuts are processed and whether they’re salted are two separate things. So a product name that says ‘unroasted’ doesn’t automatically mean the nuts are unsalted.
Check the exact variety, ingredients and nutritional information on the label.
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Failing to store a large opened bag properly
Nuts are susceptible to mould. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing them tightly sealed and dry.
Make sure you have a suitable way to seal the pack before buying, and follow the storage advice on the packaging too. Consider a smaller quantity if it better suits how much you use.
Brands and product variations for reference
Duyvis
An unsalted peanut option for households looking for peanuts rather than a mixed nut selection.
- The Jumbo product page lists Duyvis Unsalted Peanuts in a 235 g pack.
- This is a peanut product, not a large mixed nut pack; check the allergen information on the packaging.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists unsalted mixed nuts in a range of pack sizes.
- The Albert Heijn range page lists 500 g and 200 g packs.
- The different pack sizes don’t prove that the mixes have the same ingredients.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a 500 g unroasted mixed nut pack.
- The product name on the Jumbo product page gives the pack size and how the nuts are processed.
- ‘Unroasted’ doesn’t confirm that the mix is unsalted; check the variety and the label.
Lidl
The Lidl product page lists a smaller Alesto mixed nut pack.
- The Lidl product page lists a 200 g unroasted, unsalted mix.
- The product page says ‘in store only’; check the latest product information before relying on its availability.
ALDI
ALDI lists an unsalted nut mix that names several types of nuts.
- The ALDI product page lists almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts in the 500 g mix.
- Check that this combination suits your household’s preferences and allergen requirements.
PLUS
PLUS lists a 500 g unroasted, unsalted mixed nut selection in a stand-up pouch.
- The product name on the PLUS product page gives the variety, packaging and pack size.
- The term ‘stand-up pouch’ doesn’t confirm that the pack can be resealed after opening; check the closure and storage advice.
Nut products on Joybuy
This selection includes mixed nuts, individual types of nuts and a nut and fruit mix in packs of 500 g or more. Check the ingredients and allergens on each pack; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that whole nuts and peanuts can cause choking in children.
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g'woon unroasted mixed nuts 500 g
An option if you’re looking for a larger pack of mixed nuts.
The product name specifies 500 g and unroasted mixed nuts.
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BE&CHEERY macadamia nuts 500 g
Suitable if you’re looking specifically for macadamia nuts in a larger pack.
The product name specifies macadamia nuts and 500 g.
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J.ZAO Classic Daily-Nut Mix 750 g / 30 Sachets
An option if you’re looking for a nut mix with dried fruit in individual sachets.
The product name specifies 750 g, 30 sachets and dried fruit.
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Haoxiangni thin-shell walnuts 500 g (8 packs)
Suitable if you’re looking for walnuts as a single type, split across several packs.
The product name specifies 500 g and 8 packs.
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BE&CHEERY pine nuts 500 g
An option if you’re looking for pine nuts as a single type.
The product name specifies pine nuts and 500 g.
Frequently asked questions about nut packs
Does unroasted mean unsalted?
No, don’t use those terms interchangeably. Product names may list these as separate characteristics, so check the exact variety and nutritional information on the label.
Can children help themselves to nuts from a large bag?
Not before you’ve considered how the nuts are served: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that whole nuts and peanuts can cause choking. Make sure children are sitting calmly and stay nearby; also check which allergens are listed on the label.
How should you store an opened bag of nuts?
Store nuts tightly sealed and dry, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises. Also follow the storage advice and use-by information on the packaging.
What allergen information appears on packaging in the Netherlands?
According to the NVWA, information is required for 14 allergens, including peanuts and nuts. Check the ingredients list and any warnings on the packaging before sharing the nuts.
When is a smaller pack a better choice?
A smaller pack may suit you better if your household doesn’t eat many nuts or you’d like to try a smaller amount first. Check the net contents, how much you’ll actually use and the storage advice for after opening.