Conference planners keeping an eye on portions
You want to be able to plan the energy provided per attendee. The Voedingscentrum lists 164 kcal for a 25 g portion of unsalted nuts, so use both the nutritional information and the weighed amount.
Who are these choices relevant to?
Caterers with an allergen plan
You may serve nuts outside their original packaging and want to keep information about the allergens they contain readily available. The NVWA outlines information requirements for prepacked and unpackaged foods, including catering.
Buyers planning several breaks
You want to work out how many portions are in each pack, store opened stock and plan how it will be served. The product information reviewed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Duyvis includes portion or storage details that may help.
What should you look for in nuts for conference breaks?
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Check the kcal per 100 g and weigh the portion you plan to serve; calculate the energy in proportion to its weight. | If I want to plan the energy in each snack, I weigh the portion rather than relying on the product name alone. Around 33% of consumers prioritise energy per portion. |
| Ingredients and preparation | Read the ingredients and check the energy and salt content separately. | If I’m looking for a particular mix or preparation method for my menu, I check these details on the label. Around 20% of consumers give ingredients and preparation top priority. |
| Allergen information | Check which allergens the product contains and which it may contain according to the packaging; keep this information available where the food is served. | If I’m serving nuts in bowls, I want to be able to check the product information where they’re served. Around 27% of consumers prioritise allergen information. |
| Portions and stock | Work out how many portions are in the pack and follow the storage instructions once it’s opened. | If I’m planning several breaks, I want to know how many weighed portions I can get from a pack and how to store the rest. Around 20% of consumers prioritise serving and stock management. |
Common purchasing mistakes
-
Assuming ‘unsalted’ means ‘low in calories’
The Jumbo Unsalted Nut Mix reviewed lists 633 kcal per 100 g, despite containing less than 0.01 g of salt per 100 g.
Check energy and salt as separate values. Serve a weighed portion rather than describing the product as low in calories without evidence.
-
Confusing the portion on the label with the whole pack
The 200 g Jumbo pack reviewed contains eight 25 g portions; the 500 g AH pack lists twenty 25 g portions.
Weigh the portion you want to serve and plan how many portions you’ll need for each break before ordering.
-
Assuming an unroasted mix is automatically lower in calories
The PLUS mix reviewed is unroasted and unsalted, but lists 641 kcal per 100 g. The preparation method doesn’t indicate the energy content.
Choose unroasted nuts if that suits your product preference, and calculate the energy using the nutritional information for the exact product.
-
Throwing away the packaging after decanting
Allergen information must be available even when food is served unpackaged. The NVWA outlines suitable ways of providing this information for catering.
Keep the details for the product actually delivered with the serving information, even when the nuts are served in bowls.
Brands for reference
Duyvis
The Pinda’s Ongezouten range reviewed includes a peanut snack; product information for the 235 g version is available from PLUS.
- The exact product lists 614 kcal per 100 g and contains peanuts and sunflower oil.
- Contains peanuts and may contain nuts. ‘Unsalted’ is not a low-calorie claim.
Albert Heijn
AH Unsalted Nut Mix 500 g is an option if you want to plan 25 g portions from a single pack.
- The product information lists twenty 25 g portions and 672 kcal per 100 g.
- The mix contains almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts; unsalted does not mean low in calories.
Jumbo
Jumbo Unsalted Nut Mix 200 g lists nutritional values per 100 g and per portion.
- The product information lists eight portions, 633 kcal per 100 g and 158 kcal per 25 g.
- The mix contains peanuts and several types of nuts, so it isn’t a peanut-free option.
Lidl
Alesto is Lidl’s product range, which includes nuts, dried fruit and party snacks.
- The range covers several product categories, so you can look for a specific nut product within it.
- The range as a whole can’t be described as unsalted or low in calories; check the details for the product you choose.
Aldi
The TRADER JOE’S Unsalted Nut Mix reviewed contains almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts.
- The official product information confirms the nuts listed and that this is the unsalted version.
- Use the nutritional information on the exact pack to calculate the energy per portion.
PLUS
PLUS Unroasted Unsalted Nut Mix 500 g is worth considering if you specifically want to serve unroasted nuts.
- The exact mix lists 30% walnuts, 30% hazelnuts, 20% almonds and 20% cashews, with 641 kcal per 100 g.
- Contains nuts and may contain peanuts and other types of nuts; unroasted and unsalted does not mean low in calories.
Nut products at Joybuy
This selection includes nuts and nut mixes in packs ranging from 150 to 500 g. Ingredients, preparation and nutritional information vary by product, so check the label and portion size when planning how to serve them.
No image available
Anatolia Champion Nuts Mix 150 g
The 150 g pack can help you plan portions for a break; you’ll need to weigh the amount you serve.
No image available
Anatolia Goal Nuts Mix 150 g
The 150 g pack is a handy size to factor into your portion planning; weigh the amount you serve.
The product description lists almonds, cashews and peanuts.
No image available
g’woon unroasted nut mix 500 g
This larger pack may suit plans for several portions; weigh the amount you serve and seal the pack properly after opening.
The description lists 663 kcal and 0 g of salt per 100 g, and names hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews. The product contains these nuts and may contain traces of peanuts and other nuts.
No image available
g’woon raw unsalted nut mix 200 g
The 200 g pack may be suitable if you’re planning a smaller amount of stock; follow the instructions to seal the pack properly after opening.
The description lists 2650 kJ and 0.01 g of salt per 100 g, and names hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews. The product contains nuts and may contain traces of peanuts.
No image available
J.ZAO pecan halves 500 g
The 500 g pack can be divided between several serving times; decide on the portion size in advance.
The description lists 703 kcal per 100 g and 87.6% pecans. The ingredients list also includes sugar and salt.
Frequently asked questions
Can I describe these nuts as ‘low calorie’ on a catering menu?
Not on the basis of the nutritional information shown. For the claim ‘low energy’ on solid foods, the European Commission sets a limit of no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g; the products reviewed with available energy information list between 614 and 672 kcal per 100 g. A smaller portion doesn’t change the product’s value per 100 g.
How do I calculate the energy in a smaller portion?
Multiply the energy per 100 g by the portion weight, then divide by 100. For example, the Duyvis peanuts reviewed contain 614 kcal per 100 g, which works out at 92.1 kcal for 15 g. This is a calculation example, not a recommended portion size.
Do I need to provide allergen information if I serve nuts in bowls?
Yes. Keep the information for the product actually served available. For unpackaged foods, the NVWA outlines options including written information and verbal information when customers are clearly told they can ask for it; the information must be available before purchase.
How should I store an opened pack between breaks?
Follow the storage instructions on the exact pack. For the nut mix reviewed, AH recommends storing it in a cool, dry place and sealing the pack properly. Jumbo’s product information for Duyvis peanuts recommends keeping an opened bag in a light- and airtight container.
Does unsalted or unroasted mean a mix contains less energy?
No. These words describe the salt content or preparation method and don’t, by themselves, tell you how much energy the product contains. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and use it to calculate the energy in the portion you actually serve.