Film-night snackers keeping an eye on portions
You want to enjoy regular nuts during the film, but know in advance how much energy is in your bowl. Compare a weighed portion rather than the whole pack.
Who is this buying guide for?
Anyone comparing energy per 100 grams
You’re open to sweet chestnuts and the preparation they require. Keep the nutritional information for raw chestnuts separate from that for prepared products.
Fans of simple ingredients
You might choose based on an unsalted recipe and the types of nuts, even though that isn’t the same as choosing the product with the lowest energy content. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends unroasted or lightly roasted nuts.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide whether you want regular nuts or a chestnut snack. Then compare the portion, preparation state and ingredients.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Amount per snack occasion | Weigh your portion and calculate the energy from the kcal per 100 g: multiply by the portion weight and divide by 100. | If I want to limit the total amount I eat during the film, I weigh out a portion beforehand. Around 36% of consumers prioritise portion control. |
| Energy for the same weight | Compare kcal per 100 g and check whether the product is raw, roasted, popped or prepared in another way. | I want to know how much energy the same weight contains first, and will consider a different recipe or preparation method if needed. Around 29% of consumers focus mainly on energy per 100 g. |
| Ingredients and preparation | Read the ingredients list and check the salt, sugar, oil used and types of nuts listed separately. | If I care more about a simple, unsalted recipe than just the calorie count, I check the ingredients. Around 21% of consumers prioritise simple ingredients. |
| Packaging and storage | Check the net weight and storage instructions to make sure the amount suits how you’ll use it. | I want a pack that’s right for film night and that I can store properly afterwards. Around 14% of consumers focus mainly on practical packaging. |
The European Commission sets a limit of no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for the ‘low energy’ claim on solid foods. A smaller portion does not change this per-100 g requirement.
For comparison, based on the values shown in the product information, 25 g of Duyvis Unsalted Peanuts contains 153.5 kcal, 25 g of Jumbo Unsalted Cashews contains 155.5 kcal, and 25 g of PLUS Unroasted Unsalted Nut Mix contains 160.25 kcal. These are calculations based on the stated values per 100 g, not personalised portion recommendations.
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming unsalted means low energy
‘Unsalted’ describes the salt content, not the amount of energy. The unsalted nuts reviewed are still high in energy.
Check the energy and salt values separately, and decide in advance how much you want to eat.
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Comparing portions of different sizes directly
Duyvis lists a 30 g portion; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses 25 g as a handful in its nutritional information table. These amounts are therefore not directly comparable.
First compare products per 100 g, then calculate the figures for the portion you want to have.
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Mistaking a fruit and nut mix for plain nuts
The PLUS Cranberry Mix reviewed contains sweetened cranberries and lists 18.8 g of added sugars per 100 g. ‘Unsalted’ does not mean ‘sugar-free’ here.
Choose a mix like this if you want a sweet combination, and check the ingredients and nutritional information.
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Buying a large pack without a plan for leftovers
Nuts can absorb odours and are susceptible to mould. How much you have left over depends in part on the packaging and how you use them.
Choose an amount that suits your needs, and store any leftovers in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark, dry place, following the instructions on the pack.
Brands and product examples
Duyvis
Example reviewed: Unsalted Peanuts 235 g.
- Jumbo’s product information lists 614 kcal per 100 g for this product and names peanuts and sunflower oil as ingredients.
- ‘Unsalted’ does not mean lower in energy.
Albert Heijn
The examples reviewed are unsalted pistachios and raw sweet chestnuts; this does not necessarily reflect the full range.
- Albert Heijn’s product information lists 189 kcal per 100 g for raw chestnuts.
- That figure for raw chestnuts is not necessarily the value per 100 g after roasting; chestnuts also need to be prepared.
Jumbo
Example reviewed: Unsalted Cashews 200 g.
- Jumbo lists 622 kcal per 100 g; the recipe reviewed names 99% cashews and sunflower oil.
- The ‘unsalted’ label does not mean the product is low in energy.
Lidl
Range information lists unsalted Californian pistachios.
- The product type and ‘unsalted’ label are relevant if you’re looking for pistachios with no added salt.
Aldi
The TRADER JOE’S Unsalted Nut Mix reviewed is a blend of several types of nuts.
- The product information lists almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts in a 500 g pack.
- A mixed recipe does not automatically make the product low in energy.
PLUS
The product examples reviewed include a plain unroasted nut mix and a cranberry and nut mix.
- PLUS lists 641 kcal per 100 g for its unroasted unsalted nut mix; the ingredients are walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds and cashews.
- The cranberry mix has a different recipe: the product information lists 565 kcal and 18.8 g of added sugars per 100 g.
Chestnut products at Joybuy
These Joybuy products are chestnut snacks for anyone who wants to compare portion sizes, ingredients and the nutritional values listed.
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Titiz roasted chestnuts 125 g
Suitable if you’re looking for a peeled, baked chestnut snack.
The product description lists 100% chestnuts as the ingredient.
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ChaCha chestnut kernels 220 g
An option if you want to take the stated energy per 100 g and the portion packaging into account.
The product information lists 178 kcal and 0 g of salt per 100 g, with chestnut kernels as the ingredient. The description mentions two individually packed 110 g portions.
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7FRESH chestnut kernels 300 g
Suitable if you’re looking for ready-to-eat chestnut kernels and want to compare the nutritional information per 100 g.
The product information lists 185 kcal, 0 g of fat and 0 g of salt per 100 g, and names chestnut as the ingredient.
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J.ZAO S++ Grade Whole Chestnuts 1 kg (10 bags)
An option if you want to portion out peeled chestnuts from individual bags.
The product information describes ready-to-eat, peeled chestnuts in ten 100 g bags. The stated energy is 191 kcal per 100 g.
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Be&Cheery Smiling Chestnuts 120 g
Suitable if you’re looking for a ready-to-eat, steamed chestnut snack in individual portions.
The product information lists 196 kcal and 0.01 g of salt per 100 g. The ingredients include sugar as well as chestnut.
Frequently asked questions
Are these nuts and chestnuts legally classed as low energy?
No. According to the European Commission, the ‘low energy’ claim may only be used for solid foods containing no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g. The nuts, cranberry mix and raw chestnuts mentioned are above this limit; a smaller portion does not change the per-100 g claim requirement.
How do I compare raw chestnuts with ready-to-eat chestnuts?
Compare products in the same state, for example raw with raw or prepared with prepared. Albert Heijn lists 189 kcal per 100 g for raw chestnuts; you can’t apply that figure directly to the same weight after roasting.
How do you prepare the sweet chestnuts reviewed from Albert Heijn?
Albert Heijn’s instructions are to carefully score the raw chestnuts with a cross, roast them on a baking tray in an oven at 200 °C for 15–20 minutes, leave them to cool briefly and then peel them. If you have a different pack, follow its preparation instructions.
What should I check if someone at film night has a food allergy?
Read the current label on the exact pack and take the known allergy into account. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists peanuts and nuts as separate allergens that must be declared on prepacked products; since 1 January 2026, Dutch rules have applied to warnings about unintended presence.
Are whole nuts automatically suitable for young children?
No. Albert Heijn and Duyvis product information warns that young children can choke on nuts and peanuts. So don’t assume whole nuts are a suitable snack for children.