For your baby, the form of the product is what matters most: don’t give them whole nuts, and choose smooth peanut butter, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. A reduced-fat label doesn’t prove that a product is suitable for your baby, so keep that preference separate from your own snack choices. With baby-led weaning, your baby should also be able to sit upright and swallow and chew well before you offer larger pieces.
You’re looking for a form that’s suitable for what your baby can eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts or peanuts to children under 4; for your baby, choose smooth peanut butter without pieces.
You’re looking for a simple smooth peanut butter and want to plan the introduction around your baby. If your baby has eczema or is prone to allergies, discuss the timing and approach with a doctor or dietitian, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
You want to assess a product for yourself based on its specific claim and nutritional information, without assuming that lower fat means it’s suitable for a baby.
First, decide who the product is for. For your baby, focus on the product’s form and their eating skills. If you want to eat less fat, assess that separately using the product’s specific information.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable texture | Don’t give whole nuts or peanuts to children under 4. For your baby, choose smooth peanut butter without pieces. Larger pieces are only suitable once your baby can sit upright and swallow and chew well, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. | I want to avoid offering a form that isn’t right for what my baby can already eat. Around 31% of consumers prioritise a suitable texture for their baby. |
| Ingredients and dietary needs | Check the ingredients and distinguish between added sugar or salt and naturally occurring fat. Don’t assess a product solely on the basis of wanting to eat less fat. | I want to assess the ingredients without letting an adult snack preference determine what I choose for my baby. Around 25% of consumers prioritise ingredients and dietary needs. |
| Peanuts and allergens | Check whether the product contains peanuts or other nuts. If your baby has eczema or is prone to allergies, discuss introducing peanuts with a doctor or dietitian; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre offers further advice on this. | I want to know which nut I’m offering and how to introduce peanuts. Around 19% of consumers prioritise introduction and allergen information. |
| Lower fat for yourself | Compare nutritional information on a like-for-like basis and check what the claim means for that specific product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority notes that nutrition claims must comply with EU rules; roasted without oil, unsalted and reduced fat are not interchangeable descriptions. | I’m looking for a lower-fat snack for myself and don’t want to confuse that with choosing food for my baby. Around 19% of consumers start with their own preference for lower-fat options. |
| Using and taking it with you | Check which variety you’re buying, such as smooth or crunchy. If you’re sending food to nursery or school, check the venue’s rules on nuts. | I want a variety that’s practical for how I’ll use it and complies with the rules where the food is going. Around 6% of consumers prioritise practical use. |
Being unsalted doesn’t change the fact that whole nuts and peanuts aren’t recommended for children under 4 because of the risk of choking, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
Choose a suitable form of product for your baby; don’t give them whole nuts or peanuts.
A nutrition claim and a suitable texture answer different questions. A lower-fat product isn’t automatically suitable for your baby.
First assess the form and ingredients for your baby. Keep your own preference for eating less fat separate, and check the product’s claim.
A product range may include both smooth and crunchy varieties. For peanut butter you’re giving your baby, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a smooth variety without pieces.
Check the exact variety’s name and packaging before choosing it.
The Dutch Consumers’ Association published a taste test of smooth peanut butter and crunchy varieties on 25 April 2023. The test assesses taste, not suitability for babies or fat reduction.
Use a taste test only for information about taste preferences, not as approval for your baby.
Duyvis describes, among other products, fried and roasted peanuts, including unsalted varieties.
Albert Heijn identifies AH 100% Notenpasta amandel as a product range made with almonds.
The product range reviewed is Jumbo 100% Pindakaas Naturel 600 g.
Lidl Netherlands lists a 100% smooth peanut butter range.
ALDI lists HELAES 100% peanut butter in smooth and crunchy varieties, in a 350 g pack included in the review.
PLUS lists a 100% peanut butter product in a 350 g jar.
These product choices are peanut pastes and peanut butters that can be spread; before using one for your baby, check that the specific variety is smooth and has no pieces.
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The smooth texture described makes this a good option if you’re looking for a spreadable peanut base; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends smooth peanut butter for your baby.
The product description states that it contains 100% roasted peanuts, with no added sugar or salt.
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This peanut butter is an option if you’re looking for a peanut-based spread; check the packaging to make sure the variety is smooth and has no pieces before giving it to your baby.
The product description states that it contains 100% peanuts, with no added sugar or salt, and 50.0 g of fat per 100 g.
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This is a peanut butter variety for anyone looking for a spreadable peanut base; check that the exact variety is smooth and has no pieces before giving it to your baby.
The product description states that it contains 100% roasted peanuts, with no added sugar or salt.
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This peanut butter is an option if you’re looking for a peanut-based product; check that the exact variety is smooth and has no pieces before giving it to your baby.
The product description states that it contains 100% peanuts, 44 g of fat per 100 g and 0 g of salt.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, your baby should be able to sit upright and swallow and chew well before you offer larger pieces. Whole nuts still aren’t suitable for your baby.
Use smooth peanut butter without pieces. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests mixing it into a vegetable or fruit purée and, once your baby eats bread, using it as a spread.
In this situation, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises introducing peanuts and eggs before 6 months and discussing the best approach with a doctor or dietitian. This advice applies to specific circumstances and doesn’t mean that every nut product is generally suitable.
No. The Dutch Consumers’ Association explains that this is oil separation in 100% peanut butter; a quick stir will mix the oil back in.
Pre-packed products must show allergen information on the label, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. Check the packaging of the product you buy, especially if its ingredients are important to you.
