Mindful snackers
You want to know how much energy your portion provides. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 164 kcal for 25 g of unsalted nuts. A specific product may differ, so check the label and weigh out your own portion.
Who are these choices relevant to?
Shoppers looking for unsalted nuts
You want to distinguish between unsalted and unroasted. For example, the Albert Heijn and Jumbo cashews reviewed list sunflower oil, while PLUS lists cashews as the only ingredient in the unroasted variety mentioned here.
Flavour-focused sharers
You want to choose between plain, salted and coated varieties to share. Jumbo’s product information lists ingredients including milk and wheat for Duyvis Cocktail, so check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging too.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide how much you want to serve. Then compare energy and salt on the same basis, and check the ingredients to find the flavour and composition you’re looking for.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy in your portion | Check the kcal per 100 g and weigh the amount you serve. | If I want to weigh my portion carefully, I look at both the nutritional information and how much I serve myself. Managing energy per portion is a priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Salt and ingredients | Check for added salt, salt per 100 g and any oil or coating. | If I’m looking for unsalted nuts, I also want to know whether they’re baked or contain oil. This composition is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Flavour and coating | Compare energy and salt per 100 g, and check the ingredients and allergens too. | If I’m mainly after a savoury or crunchy snack to serve with drinks, I weigh that preference against the ingredients. Flavour is the top priority for around 17% of consumers. |
| Packaging and quantity | Choose an amount that suits your guests and check how to store any leftovers. | If I’m sharing nuts or want to serve them again later, I look at the pack size and whether it can be resealed properly. Packaging and ease of use matter most to around 16% of consumers. |
Common buying mistakes
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Confusing unsalted with low in calories
No added salt doesn’t mean a product is low in energy. Unsalted cashews can still provide a lot of energy per 100 g.
Assess energy and salt separately, and calculate based on the portion you actually eat.
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Comparing portions of different weights
A 25 g serving shown on a label isn’t directly comparable with a 30 g serving. The result may give a different impression from a comparison based on the same quantity.
Compare products per 100 g first, or work out the figures for the same weight.
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Only checking for peanuts in cocktail nuts
Jumbo’s product information for Duyvis Cocktail also lists milk and wheat. Ingredients and allergens can vary between varieties.
Read the allergen information on the exact pack before sharing the nuts.
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Assuming a large pack will automatically be suitable
A multipack contains more than one snack-sized portion. Leftovers need to be stored in a dry place in a well-sealed container; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing nuts this way.
Choose an amount that suits your guests and set aside what you plan to serve in advance.
Relevant brands and nut varieties
The details below apply to the varieties mentioned, not necessarily to a brand’s entire range.
Duyvis
Salted peanuts and crunchy coated cocktail nuts offer different flavours to enjoy with drinks.
- Albert Heijn lists 613 kcal and 0.73 g of salt per 100 g for Duyvis Peanuts salted.
- For Cocktail, Jumbo lists 541 kcal per 100 g, while Duyvis itself lists 578 kcal. Check the packaging for the variety you choose.
Albert Heijn
The AH Cashewnoten Ongezouten reviewed are a baked variety with no added salt.
- Albert Heijn lists 96% cashews and sunflower oil as ingredients for the 170 g pack.
- The retailer lists 622 kcal per 100 g. For this variety, unsalted therefore doesn’t mean unroasted or oil-free.
Jumbo
Jumbo Cashewnoten Ongezouten 200 g is a baked cashew variety with no added salt.
- Jumbo lists 99% cashews and sunflower oil as ingredients.
- The retailer lists 622 kcal and 0.02 g of salt per 100 g. This applies to this variety, not the entire range.
Lidl
Lidl’s Alesto range includes natural cashews, among other products.
- The range information lists natural cashews as one of the options.
- Check the label for the specific nut variety you’re considering to find its energy, salt and ingredients.
ALDI
The TRADER JOE’S nut mix mentioned here combines several types of nuts in one pack.
- ALDI’s product page lists a 500 g pack of unsalted almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts.
- You’ll need to portion out the contents yourself; unsalted on its own doesn’t tell you anything about the energy content.
PLUS
PLUS Cashewnoten ongezouten ongebrand 200 g is a variety for anyone looking for unroasted cashews.
- PLUS lists cashews as the only ingredient and 598 kcal per 100 g.
- The packaging warns that the product may contain peanuts. Check this information if allergens are a concern at the table.
Nuts and snacks at Joybuy
Joybuy picks for drinks and snacks, including chestnuts, plain nuts and seasoned peanuts.
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Titiz Roasted Chestnuts 125 g
A ready-to-eat chestnut snack in a 125 g pack.
The product description lists 170 kcal per pack.
The description specifies peeled, roasted chestnuts.
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g'woon Raw & Unsalted Nut Mix 200 g
A raw, unsalted mix you can weigh out yourself for a snack portion to share.
The ingredients are hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews; the product description lists no added salt or oil.
May contain traces of peanuts.
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g'woon Raw & Unsalted Almonds 200 g
These raw, unsalted almonds are a good choice if you’re looking for a single type of nut and want to portion it yourself.
The nutritional information lists 591 kcal and 0.03 g of salt per 100 g.
Contains almonds.
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Duyvis Bran Nuts Provencale 125 g
A seasoned peanut snack with a crunchy coating, for anyone looking for that flavour to enjoy with drinks.
The product information lists 527 kcal and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g.
The description lists 30 g portions and 4–5 portions per pack.
Contains peanuts and wheat; may contain milk, other nuts, soya and mustard.
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Golden Turtle Premium Raw Peanuts with Skin 500 g
Unroasted peanuts with their skins on, for anyone looking for an unprocessed peanut option and wanting to weigh out a portion themselves.
The nutritional information lists 567 kcal per 100 g; the pack contains 500 g.
Contains peanuts.
Frequently asked questions
Can I describe these nuts as low in energy?
Only if the product meets the requirements for that nutrition claim. For solid foods, the threshold is no more than 40 kcal per 100 g, according to the European Commission; a smaller portion doesn’t change the energy value per 100 g.
Does 30% less fat also mean 30% fewer calories?
No. A claim about fat doesn’t, on its own, prove an equally large reduction in energy. The historical Duyvis Herbs&Onion page compared its fat content with that of ordinary peanuts in a crunchy coating. The European Commission sets separate requirements for a claim about reduced energy value, including at least 30% less energy and an indication of how the reduction was achieved.
Is 25 g a daily dietary recommendation here?
No. Here, 25 g is a reference portion for comparing products on an equal basis. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 164 kcal for 25 g of unsalted nuts; don’t use this amount as personal daily advice.
What should I check if someone at the table has an allergy?
Read the allergen information on the exact pack. For Duyvis Cocktail, Jumbo lists ingredients including milk and wheat; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for prepacked products appears on the label.
How should I store an opened pack for another get-together?
Store nuts in a cool, dry place in a well-sealed container, and follow the instructions on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing nuts in a sealed container in a dry place. For the cashews reviewed, Albert Heijn also advises keeping them somewhere cool and dark and closing the pack securely after use.