If you can eat almonds and want to avoid gluten or lactose, plain unsalted almonds with suitable product information may be a practical choice. If you need to avoid peanuts or another type of nut, check the ingredients and cross-contamination warnings carefully: gluten-free or lactose-free does not mean a product is free from nuts or peanuts. Then choose a pack size and portion that suit how often you take snacks with you.
You want a snack to have with your coffee whose ingredients and cross-contamination warnings are compatible with the allergen you need to avoid. Nut products are not allergen-free across the board; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) explains which allergens must be listed on prepacked products.
You can eat the nuts in question, but pay attention to information about gluten or lactose. Lactose intolerance and cow’s milk allergy require different considerations, as explained by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
You’re looking for an unsalted snack that you can portion out in advance and store properly once opened. A small bag may suit a different routine from a larger multipack.
Start with the ingredient you need to avoid, then consider dietary claims, flavour and packaging convenience. The NVWA lists nuts as an allergen category; also check whether peanuts or any other named ingredients are relevant to you.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should give this more weight? |
|---|---|---|
| The allergen to avoid | Check the named types of nuts, peanuts and any warnings about possible cross-contamination on the packaging. | If I need to avoid a specific allergen, I check for that exact ingredient before taking a snack with me. Around 36% of consumers prioritise excluding the allergen in question. |
| Gluten or lactose information | Read the claim and ingredients for the exact variant; don’t treat lactose-free as proof that it’s suitable for someone with a cow’s milk allergy. | If I avoid gluten or lactose but can eat the nuts in the product, I want to be able to assess the information about that specific ingredient. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this dietary information. |
| Unsalted and ingredients | Check whether the snack is unsalted and what other ingredients, such as oil, have been added. | If I’m looking for an unsalted snack to eat regularly, I also check what else is in it besides nuts. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this as part of their everyday routine. |
| Portion size and storage | Compare the net weight with the amount you plan to take with you, and follow the storage instructions once opened. | If I want a snack for on the go without having to portion out a large pack each time, I weigh up convenience against quantity. Around 14% of consumers prioritise packaging convenience and cost per use. |
Gluten-free or lactose-free almonds still contain almonds and may carry warnings about peanuts or other nuts.
First work out which ingredient you need to avoid, then check for it separately in the ingredients and warnings on the exact pack.
The unsalted almonds from Jumbo and PLUS that we reviewed contain sunflower oil. According to the product information, Duyvis Oven roasted almonds are roasted without oil, but may contain wheat.
Assess salt, added ingredients and allergens separately; one claim does not replace another.
Net weight is not the same as portion size. With a larger pack, you may need to portion it out yourself in advance.
Choose an amount that suits your routine and follow the pack’s storage advice once opened.
These examples relate to specific product ranges or variants we reviewed; a brand name does not mean that all its products are allergen-free.
The range includes borrelnootjes, tijgernootjes, peanuts and mixed nuts.
The AH Blanched Almonds Unsalted we reviewed are a specific example for anyone who can eat almonds and is looking for information about gluten or lactose.
The Jumbo Unsalted Almonds we reviewed are sold in a 140 g pack.
According to Lidl, the Alesto range includes natural nuts and seasoned peanut snacks.
The Trader Joe’s unsalted nut mix from Aldi that we reviewed is an example for anyone who wants to portion out a mix of different nuts.
The PLUS Unsalted Almonds we reviewed are sold in a 150 g stand-up pouch.
These products are snack options for on the go, from individually wrapped portions to larger packs. Check each product to make sure the nuts listed and any warnings are compatible with what you need to avoid; none of these examples is automatically suitable for an allergen-free diet.
No image available
An option if you can eat peanuts and are looking for an unsalted snack.
The ingredients list states 99% peanuts and sunflower oil. The product contains peanuts and may contain cashews.
No image available
The individual portions are a handy option if you want a snack that’s already portioned out.
The description lists five 23 g portions containing walnuts, cashews, almonds and hazelnuts, among other ingredients. Avoid this product if any of the listed nuts are unsuitable for you.
No image available
An option if you can eat cashews and are looking for roasted, unsalted nuts.
The product name describes them as roasted and unsalted; the ingredients information lists cashews. Not suitable if you need to avoid cashews.
No image available
An option if you’re looking for a ready-to-eat snack in individual packs.
The product information lists chestnut kernels as the only ingredient and says they are individually wrapped. The allergen information lists chestnuts; check whether this is suitable for you.
No image available
The individual sachets are a handy option if you want to take pre-portioned snacks with you.
The product information lists 30 sachets of 25 g containing walnuts, almonds, cashews and hazelnuts, among other ingredients. Not suitable if you need to avoid any of the nuts listed.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products. Read the packaging for the exact variant you want to take with you.
No. Lactose intolerance relates to milk sugar, while a cow’s milk allergy is a reaction to milk proteins, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. So don’t treat a lactose-free label as proof that a product is suitable for someone with a cow’s milk allergy.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging for the exact variant. For the AH almonds we reviewed, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a cool, dark, dry place and sealing the bag tightly. For the Duyvis almonds we reviewed, the product information recommends storing them in a lightproof, airtight container once opened.
Check the current packaging again and contact the retailer’s customer service team if anything is unclear. Albert Heijn and PLUS note that ingredients and allergen information can change.
Not if you look only at the pack weight. Compare the same unit of weight and consider how much you’ll actually use; a larger bag may also need to be portioned out and stored carefully.
