Less total fat
You mainly want less fat in your snack and are open to choosing edible sweet chestnuts instead of regular nuts. Check the nutritional information on the exact packaging before making a claim about a product.
Who are these choices for?
Regular nuts, a mindful portion
You want to keep eating regular nuts and are paying attention to their ingredients, salt content and the amount you measure out in advance, rather than relying on an unsubstantiated promise of less fat.
Snacks to share
You’re looking for something to take on an outing or share at snack time, and are thinking about storage and ingredients. If children or people with allergies are joining in, choking risks and allergens need separate consideration.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with what matters most to you: less total fat, a portion decided in advance, a savoury flavour, or snacks that are practical to share and store.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Total fat | Compare the fat per 100 g and the exact type of nut; don’t use general information about chestnuts as the nutritional value for a packaged product. | If reducing total fat is my first priority, I also consider a different type of nut rather than regular nuts. Around 36% of consumers prioritise reducing their total fat intake. |
| Portion size | Compare nutritional values on the same weight basis and decide in advance how much you want to serve. | If I want to keep eating regular nuts, measuring out an amount in advance helps me keep my snack portion in check. Around 29% of consumers prioritise the amount they snack on. |
| Savoury flavour and fat claims | Check the salt per 100 g, the proportion of nuts or peanuts, and the reference used for any comparative claim. | If I choose a savoury or crispy-coated snack, I want to know exactly what it is being compared with and what ingredients it contains. Around 21% of consumers prioritise that flavour and a clear comparison. |
| Sharing and storage | Check the storage instructions and allergens; for young children, also look for choking warnings. | If I’m taking snacks to share, I want to consider how to store them and who will be eating them. Around 14% of consumers prioritise practical sharing and storage. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming unsalted or oven-roasted means low in fat
‘Unsalted’ tells you about the salt, not the total fat. Albert Heijn lists 60 g of fat per 100 g for AH Notenmix ongezouten; Jumbo lists 47 g per 100 g for Duyvis Oven Roasted Noten Mix. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim.
Check the fat per 100 g on the exact packaging, and assess the salt content and preparation method separately.
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Applying a comparative fat claim to the wrong snack
A historical Albert Heijn product listing for Duyvis Herbs&Onion includes a brand claim of 30% less fat than regular crispy-coated peanuts in the Netherlands. This comparison doesn’t apply to all regular nuts and doesn’t mean the snack is low in fat overall.
Check which snack is used as the reference and also look at the ingredients and other nutritional values for the exact product.
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Looking only at total fat
PLUS lists 46.5 g of total fat and 9.5 g of saturated fat per 100 g for its unsalted cashews; AH lists 60 g of total fat and 5.7 g of saturated fat per 100 g for its nut mix. So, comparing total fat won’t necessarily give you the same order for saturated fat.
Decide what you want to compare, then look at total fat, saturated fat, energy and salt separately.
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Storing fresh chestnuts like dried nuts
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that fresh chestnuts spoil more quickly than many dried nuts. If you buy more than you can use in time, some may go to waste.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and buy an amount that suits your planned use.
Brands to consider
Duyvis
Relevant product listings range from savoury nut mixes to crispy-coated snack nuts.
- Jumbo lists 47 g of fat and 1.1 g of salt per 100 g for Duyvis Oven Roasted Noten Mix.
- A historical Albert Heijn listing for Herbs&Onion includes a product-specific brand claim; the comparison is with regular crispy-coated peanuts in the Netherlands.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand products mentioned include unsalted nut mixes and a chestnut option.
- The product information for AH Notenmix ongezouten lists 60 g of fat per 100 g, of which 54 g is unsaturated fat, and 0 g of salt.
- These values apply to the nut mix mentioned and not automatically to other AH nuts. Check the exact packaging.
Jumbo
The own-brand option mentioned is a pack of unsalted cashews.
- The product information lists 99% cashews and sunflower oil, with 48.6 g of fat and 0.02 g of salt per 100 g.
- A low salt value doesn’t in itself mean the product is low in fat.
PLUS
The own-brand option mentioned is a pack of unsalted, unroasted cashews.
- The ingredients list only cashews; the nutritional information lists 46.5 g of fat and 9.5 g of saturated fat per 100 g.
- A simple ingredients list doesn’t mean the product is low in fat.
Lidl
The product range mentioned includes Way To Go! unsalted cashews.
- The Dutch product listing describes an unsalted version.
- Check the exact packaging to compare fat and other nutritional values.
ALDI
According to the product listing, the Trader Joe’s nut mix mentioned contains almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts.
- The listing describes an unsalted nut mix.
- ‘Unsalted’ doesn’t mean lower in fat; check the nutritional information on the exact packaging.
Nuts and savoury snacks at Joybuy
These product choices include regular nuts and savoury snacks, including unsalted nuts and savoury or roasted varieties. Check the nutritional information on the exact packaging: not all the options shown are low in fat.
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g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted, 200 g
An option if you want regular almonds as a snack and are looking for an unsalted version; this isn’t a low-fat choice.
The product information lists almonds and, per 100 g, 50 g of fat, 4.3 g of saturated fat and 0.03 g of salt.
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Duyvis Oriental Borrelnootjes, 275 g
A crispy-coated peanut snack for anyone after a savoury drink-time treat; the listed fat content means this isn’t a low-fat option.
The product information lists 49% peanuts and, per 100 g, 34 g of fat and 1.4 g of salt. The allergen information lists peanuts, wheat, barley and soya, with possible traces of milk, nuts and mustard.
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Duyvis Cocktail Nuts, 275 g
A snack to share if you want to decide on your portion in advance; the product information gives a serving size of 30 g.
Per 100 g, the product information lists 34 g of fat and 1.4 g of salt, and 50% peanuts. This isn’t a low-fat option. The allergen information lists peanuts, wheat and milk, with possible traces of nuts, soya and mustard.
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Duyvis Dry-Roasted Mixed Nuts, 125 g
A roasted nut mix for anyone looking for a savoury snack; the nutritional information listed means this isn’t a low-fat option.
The product information lists cashews, peanuts and almonds, with 47 g of fat and 1.1 g of salt per 100 g.
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g'woon Cashew Nuts Roasted & Unsalted, 200 g
An option if you want roasted, unsalted cashews; the fat content listed means this isn’t a low-fat choice.
The product information lists cashews and, per 100 g, 46.67 g of fat, 9.67 g of saturated fat and 0.067 g of salt.
Frequently asked questions
When can a nut snack be described as ‘low fat’?
For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g as a requirement for the ‘low fat’ claim. Compare the nutritional values on the exact packaging before applying that claim to a product.
Does oven-roasted mean the same as low fat?
No. Jumbo lists 47 g of fat per 100 g for Duyvis Oven Roasted Noten Mix. Check the nutritional table for the exact version, not just the preparation method in the product name.
How should you store an opened bag of nuts?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal the bag securely after use. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing nuts in a cool place and notes that fresh chestnuts spoil more quickly than many dried nuts.
What should you consider if young children will be eating them too?
Bear choking risks in mind: the checked product information from Jumbo and Duyvis warns about young children and nuts or peanuts. Also consider whether the snack is suitable for the person eating it.
Which allergen information should you read?
Read the ingredients list and any warning about possible traces on the exact packaging. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, relevant allergens must be clearly distinguishable in the ingredients list.