Snackers on the go
You’re looking for nuts that are easy to take with you, either in an individual pack or in a portion you’ve measured out in advance. Packaging information from Duyvis, Jumbo and PLUS shows a range of sizes.
Who are these options for?
Mindful everyday snackers
You pay attention to added salt, ingredients and how the nuts are prepared, rather than just the front of the pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between unsalted nuts, salted nuts and borrel nuts.
People sharing snacks with others
You check the ingredients and allergen information on each pack, and take children’s ages into account. For children under four, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends nut butter instead of nuts because of the risk of choking.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want something ready to take with you or prefer to portion it yourself. Then check the ingredients and whether the snack is suitable for everyone who’ll be eating it.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions for on the go | Check the contents of each pack and the number of packs. The contents of a pack are not automatically one eating portion. | If I want to take something with me without any preparation, I check whether the amount in each pack suits my snack break. Around 36% of consumers put convenience on the go first. |
| Ingredients and salt | Read the ingredients and compare salt values on the same basis, for example per 100 g. Unsalted does not automatically mean unroasted or oil-free. | If I’m mainly concerned about ingredients, preparation and added salt, I want to be able to assess the full composition. Around 29% of consumers make ingredients their top priority when choosing. |
| Sharing with others | Check the ingredients and allergen warnings on the packaging. For young children, also consider the form of the snack. | If I’m buying nuts for several people, I want to check that the snack is suitable for each person. Around 21% of consumers put suitability for everyone they share with first. |
| Quantity and storage | Check the total contents and follow the storage advice. Portion out a larger pack yourself, then seal it carefully. | If I’m stocking up for several snack breaks, I want an amount I can store and use appropriately. Around 14% of consumers say managing their stock is their top priority. |
Common selection mistakes
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Choosing a nut mix without checking the packaging
A mix can contain several types of nuts. Whole nuts are also not a suitable snack for children of every age.
Check the ingredients and allergen warnings for everyone who’ll be eating them. For children under four, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends nut butter instead of nuts.
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Assuming an individual pack is a recommended eating portion
A pack tells you how much product you’re buying, not automatically how much you’ll want to eat in one snack break. For example, Duyvis lists a 60 g pack.
First decide how much you want to take with you, then choose a pack size that suits you.
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Assuming unsalted means unroasted or oil-free
The AH Notenmix ongezouten product reviewed contains nuts prepared in different ways, as well as sunflower oil. So the term ‘unsalted’ doesn’t tell you everything about its ingredients.
Check the ingredients list and product description to see what the mix contains.
Brands to compare
Duyvis
Worth considering for savoury peanuts and borrel nuts. Duyvis also lists a 60 g pack of salted peanuts.
- The 60 g pack is a practical option to take with you.
- According to Duyvis, the salted peanuts contain peanuts, sunflower oil and salt. The manufacturer says borrel nuts have a dough coating.
Albert Heijn
The AH Notenmix ongezouten is a larger pack that you can portion out yourself.
- The product information lists ingredients, allergens and storage instructions.
- The pack reviewed is 500 g, and the mix contains nuts prepared in different ways as well as oil. Check the full product information.
Jumbo
Jumbo Noten Mix Ongezouten, 200 g, is a smaller pack to keep in stock and portion out yourself.
- The product information lists peanuts, almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts and hazelnuts.
- This mix contains peanuts, so it shouldn’t be treated as a peanut-free nut mix.
Lidl
Alesto is Lidl’s range of nuts and dried fruit. Compare the ingredients and packaging of each product.
- Lidl describes some products, including its Way To Go cashews, as Fairtrade.
- This store description applies to the product range mentioned. It doesn’t mean that all Alesto products have the same ingredients or certification.
ALDI
ALDI describes Trader Joe’s Notenmelange ongezouten, 500 g, as a larger pack for keeping in stock.
- The retailer lists almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts in the mix.
- With this larger pack, you’ll need to portion out what you need and store the rest yourself.
PLUS
PLUS Notenmix ongebrand ongezouten, 500 g, is a larger pack that you can portion out yourself.
- PLUS lists 30% walnuts, 30% hazelnuts, 20% almonds and 20% cashews.
- The resealable stand-up pouch doesn’t contain a series of individual snack packs. PLUS advises storing it in a cool, dry, dark place.
Nut products at Joybuy
This selection includes individual portions for on the go, larger packs to portion out yourself, and savoury peanut and nut snacks.
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ChaCha Daily Nuts, 115 g (23 g x 5)
The five individual 23 g portions are handy if you want to take pre-portioned snacks with you.
The mix lists walnuts, raisins, cranberries, cashews, almonds and hazelnuts. The cranberries contain sugar.
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Duyvis Bran Nuts Provencale, 125 g
This coated peanut snack is a good choice if you’re looking for something savoury. The product description gives a 30 g portion size.
The pack contains 125 g, and the nutritional information lists 1.2 g of salt per 100 g. Contains peanuts and wheat. The description says it may also contain milk, other nuts, soya and mustard.
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Duyvis Salted Peanuts, 370 g
This pack is a good choice if you want to decide for yourself how many salted peanuts to have at each snack break.
The ingredients are peanuts, sunflower oil and salt. The product description warns of a choking risk for children under five and says to seal the pack securely after opening.
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g'woon Nut Mix Raw & Unsalted, 200 g
The 200 g pack is a good choice if you want to portion out a larger quantity yourself.
The product name says Raw & Unsalted. The mix described contains hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews, and may contain traces of peanuts and other nuts.
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J.ZAO Classic Daily-Nut Mix, 750 g / 30 sachets
The 30 individual 25 g sachets are a handy option if you want to take several pre-portioned snacks with you.
According to the product description, the mix contains walnuts, raisins, cranberries, cashews, almonds and hazelnuts. The cranberries contain sugar and sunflower oil.
Frequently asked questions
Is the amount in a snack pack automatically a recommended portion?
No. The contents tell you how much you’re buying, not how much you should eat in one snack break. Duyvis lists a 60 g pack; for the 500 g mix reviewed, Albert Heijn gives a product portion of 25 g. These are product details, not general dietary guidelines.
How should you store nuts after portioning them?
Seal the pack carefully and store the nuts somewhere dry. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives a cool place at 10 to 15 °C as general storage advice; also follow the product label. For the nut mix reviewed, PLUS advises storing it in a dry, dark place.
Can you give whole nuts to a child under four?
For children under four, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of nuts, because of the risk of choking. This is dietary guidance, not a legal age restriction on sales.
What allergen information should you check on a pack of nuts?
Check the ingredients list and any warnings on the packaging of the product you plan to take with you. According to the official EU guidance, allergens present must be highlighted in the ingredients list. The ingredients in a nut mix don’t automatically make it suitable for someone with an allergy.
Does unsalted also mean that nuts are unroasted or oil-free?
No. ‘Unsalted’ on its own tells you nothing about how the nuts were prepared or whether they contain oil. The AH Notenmix ongezouten product reviewed contains nuts prepared in different ways, as well as sunflower oil. If these details matter to your choice, read the ingredients list.