Regular train traveller with a stock at home
You want to buy a larger bag for home and take portions with you before setting off. Check the weight, ingredients and how you can seal the opened pack.
Who are large or small packs suitable for?
Mindful everyday snacker
You’re mainly looking for unsalted nuts and want to check which types and other ingredients are in the mix. If it has a coating or contains dried fruit, check the ingredients separately.
Occasional traveller who doesn’t need much in stock
You want to take a smaller bag with you, or would rather not have an opened pack sitting around for long. Check whether the specific product’s pack is resealable; a smaller bag doesn’t automatically contain one portion.
What should you look for when choosing?
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who might this matter more to? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size to suit your needs | Compare the net weight and the types of nuts listed; decide how much you want to take each time. | I want to make several portions at home and choose a mix we’ll actually eat. Around 31% of consumers prioritise a suitable pack size and its contents. |
| Unsalted and a suitable mix | Read the ingredients list and check separately whether the nuts are raw, roasted or prepared with oil. | I choose unsalted nuts, but also want to know which ingredients are included and how they’re prepared. Around 25% of consumers give top priority to an unsalted mix. |
| Taking it with you and sealing the pack | Check whether the label says the pack is resealable, and decide in advance how much you want to take with you. | I want to do as little preparation as possible before setting off and know whether I can reseal the pack while travelling. Around 19% of consumers prioritise convenience when taking snacks with them. |
| Storing your supply | The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing opened mixed unsalted nuts in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark and dry place. | We don’t eat nuts often at home, so I want to store an opened pack carefully. Around 13% of consumers prioritise keeping a small supply and storing it properly. |
| Allergens and sharing | Check both the ingredients and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. If children will be eating them too, consider the form of the nuts. | I need to consider allergies or children who’ll be sharing the food. Around 12% of consumers put these safety considerations first. |
Common mistakes when choosing nut packs
-
Assuming a large bag is automatically the best choice
A higher net weight doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether the mix and quantity suit what your household eats.
Check the weight, ingredients and preparation method. Choose a pack whose contents you’ll actually use.
-
Confusing unsalted with unroasted or nuts only
An unsalted mix may still contain oil or fried or roasted ingredients. Products with the same description aren’t necessarily made in the same way.
Read the ingredients list and preparation details as well as the ‘unsalted’ label.
-
Assuming a smaller bag is one portion or resealable
A 200 g or 235 g bag isn’t automatically a single portion. Whether it’s resealable depends on the product.
Decide in advance how much you’ll take, and check the pack for the exact product to see whether it can be resealed.
-
Checking only the main nuts
A product may also carry warnings about the possible presence of other allergens. If you have a relevant allergy, this information matters too.
Check the ingredients and any warnings about possible cross-contamination, even if you’ve bought the pack before.
Brands and product ranges compared
The features listed below apply to the specific product ranges and packs mentioned, not automatically to every product from the same brand.
Duyvis
Duyvis Unsalted Peanuts come in a 235 g bag and are not a mixed nut product. Duyvis describes the product as salt-free.
- Jumbo’s product information lists peanuts and sunflower oil as ingredients.
- The same product information warns that the product may contain nuts.
Albert Heijn
AH Unsalted Nut Mix is a 500 g pack for stocking up. Albert Heijn lists twenty 25 g portions.
- The ingredients list specifies 43% almonds, 35% hazelnuts, 15% walnuts and 5% Brazil nuts.
- The list also includes sunflower oil, so ‘unsalted’ doesn’t mean this mix contains nuts only.
Jumbo
The Jumbo Unroasted Nut Mix described here is a 500 g pack for stocking up.
- Jumbo lists 30% walnuts, 30% hazelnuts, 20% cashews and 20% almonds.
- This mix has its own specific ingredients; check the ingredients of other packs separately.
Lidl
Lidl’s Alesto range includes various types of nuts and snacks.
- Alesto product information includes natural cashews, almonds and walnuts.
- The range also includes other product types, such as Cruspies with a spiced dough coating, so check the exact variety and its ingredients.
ALDI
Trader Joe’s at ALDI includes a 500 g unsalted nut mix and a separate 200 g nut and fruit mix.
- The product information for the 500 g mix lists almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts.
- The resealable feature described applies to the separate nut and fruit mix; don’t assume other packs have the same feature without checking.
PLUS
PLUS Unroasted Unsalted Nut Mix comes in a 500 g stand-up pouch and contains four listed types of nuts.
- PLUS lists 30% walnuts, 30% hazelnuts, 20% almonds and 20% cashews.
- The term ‘stand-up pouch’ doesn’t, by itself, mean the pack is resealable. PLUS recommends storing the nuts in a dry, dark place.
Joybuy products for stocking up and travelling
These Joybuy products come in 500 g packs, but the types of nuts and how they’re prepared vary. Think about whether you want to portion them out at home, crack them before eating or use them soon after opening.
Image unavailable
g'woon unroasted mixed nuts 500 g
An option if you’re looking for a pack of unroasted mixed nuts to portion out at home.
The product name specifies a 500 g pack.
Image unavailable
BE&CHEERY Macadamia Nuts 500 g
An option to consider if you’re looking for macadamia nuts rather than a mixed nut product.
The product name specifies 500 g. According to the product description, the contents should be eaten soon after opening.
Image unavailable
Haoxiangni Thin-Shelled Walnuts 500 g (8 packs)
This pack is an option if you’re looking for walnuts to open at home or just before eating.
The product name specifies 500 g and 8 packs. The walnuts are in their shells, which need to be cracked before eating.
Image unavailable
g'woon peanuts in shell 500 g
An option if you want to take peanuts in their shells with you and don’t mind opening them before eating.
The product name specifies a 500 g pack; the peanuts need to be removed from their shells before eating.
Image unavailable
BE&CHEERY Northeast Pine Nuts 500 g
An option if you’re looking for pine nuts rather than a mixed nut product.
The product name specifies 500 g. The product description lists at least 98% pine nuts and vegetable palm oil, and recommends eating the contents soon after opening.
Frequently asked questions
Is 25 g a standard portion for every traveller?
No. Albert Heijn lists 25 g as the portion size for the 500 g AH Unsalted Nut Mix reviewed here, which works out at twenty portions per pack. That’s a product-specific serving suggestion, not a standard portion for everyone.
How should you store an opened pack of nuts?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing mixed unsalted nuts in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark and dry place. The Storage Guide gives general storage times of six months in a kitchen cupboard and one year in the freezer. Follow the instructions on the pack too, as these times aren’t a guarantee for every mix.
What’s the difference between allergens in the ingredients and ‘may contain’?
Allergens in the ingredients are substances used as ingredients in the product; ‘may contain’ warns that they could be present unintentionally. The NVWA lists peanuts and tree nuts as separate allergens. If you have a relevant allergy, check both the ingredients list and any warnings about possible cross-contamination.
Can you share whole nuts with children on the train?
Whole nuts and peanuts aren’t necessarily suitable for young children. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns about choking and the risk of suffocation. Make sure children sit calmly while eating, stay nearby and choose a form and size of food that’s suitable for the child.
What should you do with empty packaging on an NS train?
NS asks passengers to put their rubbish in the bin. Keep the empty pack with you until you can throw it away.