Who is this choice relevant to?

Parents preparing small portions

You want to weigh out the treat and know how much energy is in each bag. Unsalted doesn’t mean low in calories. The Voedingscentrum also warns that nutritional values can vary between brands.

Parents handing out treats at school

You want to follow the school’s treat policy and take any allergy arrangements into account. The Voedingscentrum recommends checking what can and can’t be handed out at that location.

Organisers with young children

The form of the treat should be suitable for the children’s age and the way they eat. The Voedingscentrum advises against giving whole nuts or peanuts to children under 4 because of the risk of choking. It’s important to supervise older children too.

What should you look for in nuts for a children’s treat?

First check the children’s ages, any allergies and the school’s rules. Then compare the nutritional information for the exact variety and the amount in each bag. The Voedingscentrum gives an average of 164 kcal per 25 g of unsalted nuts, but this isn’t the nutritional value for a specific branded product.

The percentages below show the main priorities for consumers considering nuts for a children’s treat.

What to consider What should you look for? Who is this important for?
Safe and permitted to hand out Check the school’s rules, the current allergen label and whether the form of nut is suitable. Don’t give whole nuts or peanuts to children under 4. When I’m handing treats out to a group, I first want to know whether nuts are allowed and which form is suitable for the children. Around 25% of consumers put handing them out safely and in line with the rules first.
Energy per bag Compare the kcal per 100 g on the packaging and calculate the value for the portion you’ve weighed out. Don’t use the Voedingscentrum average to compare brands. If I want to know how much energy is in each bag I hand out, I compare the exact variety and the weight of my own portions. Around 25% of consumers put energy per portion first.
Ingredients without added salt Check that the variety is unsalted and read the ingredients and nutritional information. Don’t assume anything about kcal based on how the product is prepared. If salt content is my main consideration, I check the packaging rather than relying on the flavour or preparation description. Around 25% of consumers mainly choose products without added salt.
Portioning and storage Match the net weight to the number of bags and the portion size you’ve chosen. Duyvis lists 125 g; product pages from Jumbo and PLUS list 200 g, and ALDI’s lists 250 g. Follow the product label for storage instructions. When preparing several small treats, I want to choose a pack that suits the number of bags I need and the amount left over. Easy portioning is the top priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a small bag solves allergy or choking concerns

    A smaller portion doesn’t change allergy arrangements or make whole nuts suitable for young children.

    First check the rules at the location and choose a form that’s suitable for the children’s age and eating situation. Don’t give whole nuts or peanuts to children under 4. Keep supervising older children when they’re eating whole nuts too.

  • Confusing unsalted with low-calorie

    Unsalted describes the salt content, not the amount of energy in your bag. The Voedingscentrum gives an average of 164 kcal per 25 g of unsalted nuts, but values can vary between brands.

    Read the nutritional information for the exact product and calculate it for the portion you’re handing out.

  • Assuming oven-roasting without added oil means fewer calories

    Duyvis describes Cashews Original as oven-roasted without added oil. This manufacturer description doesn’t compare its calorie content with other products; a Jumbo listing describes Duyvis oven-roasted cashews as salted.

    Use the preparation description to distinguish between varieties, and compare nutritional values on the same basis to check the energy content.

  • Confusing a retail pack with one child’s portion

    The net weight of a pack doesn’t tell you how much you’ll give each child. Portioning it yourself takes preparation, and any leftovers need to be stored appropriately.

    Weigh out the bags yourself and follow the packaging instructions for storing any leftovers.

Relevant brands and varieties

Duyvis

Duyvis describes Cashews Original as oven-roasted without added oil. The manufacturer lists a 125 g pack.

  • The preparation description and pack size help you identify the variety.
  • The manufacturer’s description isn’t a calorie comparison; the Jumbo listing describes the oven-roasted cashews as salted.

Albert Heijn

AH unsalted cashews are a own-brand option if you’re looking for unsalted cashews.

  • The product listing confirms that this is the unsalted variety.
  • Check the current packaging for ingredients and nutritional values. The variety name doesn’t indicate a calorie advantage.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists unsalted cashews in a 200 g pack.

  • The product listing gives the variety and net weight.
  • Unsalted doesn’t automatically mean the product contains fewer kcal.

Lidl

The range listed includes Way To Go! unsalted cashews.

  • The product listing confirms the range name and that the variety is unsalted.
  • The variety name doesn’t prove that it has a lower energy content or tell you whether it meets the rules at a particular school.

ALDI

A Dutch ALDI product listing gives the product as Trader Joe’s roasted, unsalted cashews in a 250 g pack.

  • The listing confirms the product name, variety and net weight.
  • The product description doesn’t show that it has a calorie advantage over other nuts.

PLUS

PLUS lists unroasted, unsalted cashews in a 200 g pack.

  • The product listing makes it easy to identify the unroasted, unsalted variety and pack size.
  • Unroasted and unsalted doesn’t mean this variety contains fewer kcal. Check the current packaging.

Products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can you give whole nuts to toddlers?

No. The Voedingscentrum advises against giving whole nuts or peanuts to children under 4 because of the risk of choking. It suggests bread with nut butter that has no added sugar or salt as an alternative, provided nuts are allowed under the allergy arrangements and rules at the location.

Are whole nuts automatically safe once a child is older?

No, older children can choke too. The Voedingscentrum recommends eating calmly at the table and staying with children when they eat whole nuts. If in doubt, it suggests ground nuts or nut butter.

Can a school decide which treats are allowed?

The school’s treat policy sets out what can and can’t be handed out there. Ask the school about the rules for your child’s class. This advice from the Voedingscentrum doesn’t establish a nationwide legal ban on nuts.

What allergen information should be provided with shop-bought nuts?

According to the NVWA, allergen information for prepacked foods must appear on the label; peanuts and nuts are listed separately among the allergens. This requirement for food businesses doesn’t automatically mean the same labelling rules apply to a treat made privately at home.

Have warnings about cross-contamination changed?

Yes. According to the NVWA, new rules have applied since 1 January 2026 on how and when food businesses warn on labels about allergens that may be present unintentionally. So check the current packaging, even if you’ve bought the product before.