Choose a pack based on how many nuts your household actually uses and how you can store them. The contents of a bag aren’t a portion: if you wish, weigh out an amount that suits your eating habits and consider it as part of your total energy intake, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises.
You want to include nuts in your diet without treating the contents of the pack as a serving. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says energy intake is relevant when you’re trying to lose weight; weighing out a portion helps you keep track of what you eat.
You buy nuts regularly and want to check whether the quantity suits your household’s needs, rather than relying only on the size of the bag or the word ‘value’.
If you don’t use nuts very often, you’ll want to choose an amount that suits your usage and storage space. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing nuts in a tightly sealed container in a dry place.
Don’t just look at the pack size: the portion, ingredients and storage options all help determine whether a pack suits the way you use it.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion and eating habits | Check the nutritional information for the specific product and weigh your chosen portion; don’t use the pack contents as a guide to how much to eat at one sitting. | If you want to match the amount you eat to your own eating habits, it helps to choose a portion that’s independent of the pack size. Around 36% of consumers say portion control is their top priority. |
| Practical value | Compare the net weight and ingredients of different packs, and consider how much your household actually uses. | If you’re considering a larger pack, you’ll want to know whether it suits your household’s usage and available storage space. Around 29% of consumers put the practical value of the pack first. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients list and check the salt, coatings, additives and allergen information for the specific product. | If you’re looking for ingredients that suit your dietary choices, check the product information. If you have an allergy, also check the warnings on the label. Around 21% of consumers prioritise the ingredients. |
| Storage and usage | Follow the storage instructions on the pack, seal your supply tightly and choose a quantity that matches how much you use. | If you don’t use nuts often, you’ll want to avoid keeping a supply for longer than is practical and will need a suitable way to store it. Around 14% of consumers prioritise having a usable supply. |
The net weight doesn’t tell you how much you need at each sitting. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says total energy intake is relevant when you’re trying to lose weight.
Choose a portion independently of the pack size and consider it as part of your overall diet.
This label doesn’t tell you everything about the ingredients or potential allergens. Nuts, peanuts and snack mixes can all have different ingredients.
Read the ingredients list and, if you have an allergy, check the allergen information and any warnings on the pack.
A larger pack requires enough demand and suitable storage. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing nuts in a tightly sealed container in a dry place.
Choose a quantity that suits your household’s usage and follow the storage instructions on the pack.
The examples below refer to specific product ranges and pack sizes; they aren’t an assessment of a brand’s entire range.
Duyvis lists Pinda’s Ongezouten (unsalted peanuts) as a 235 g product, for use as a snack or ingredient.
Albert Heijn lists an unsalted AH Nut Mix in a 500 g pack.
Jumbo lists an unroasted nut mix in a 500 g pack.
Lidl’s Alesto range includes nuts, dried fruit and snack products.
ALDI lists a 500 g pack of unsalted Trader Joe’s nut mix.
PLUS lists an unroasted, unsalted nut mix in 200 g and 500 g packs.
This Joybuy selection includes smaller packs and larger multipacks, so you can weigh the quantity against your portion and household usage.
No image available
The 250 g pack is a smaller quantity to keep in stock, not a personal portion.
The product information lists 99% peanuts and sunflower oil, energy per 100 g, and advises storing in a cool, dry place.
No image available
The 8 packs listed may be useful if you’d rather not use the whole quantity at once.
The walnuts are in their shells; the product information lists 0 g of salt per 100 g. You’ll need to crack the shells to eat the kernels.
No image available
The 200 g pack may suit you if you want to keep a smaller supply.
The product information lists cashews as the ingredient and provides nutritional values per 100 g.
No image available
This 500 g pack is a larger option for stocking up; the contents aren’t the same as a portion to eat.
According to the product information, the mix contains hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews. Nutritional values are listed per 100 g; seal the pack tightly after opening.
No image available
The 500 g pack suits a need for a larger supply; choose a quantity that matches how much you use.
The product information lists 100% macadamia nuts, with no added salt, sugar or seasoning, and energy per 100 g.
No, you don’t have to. Weighing out an amount can help you see how much you’re eating, but the contents of the bag aren’t personal dietary advice or a guide to how much to eat at one sitting.
Use the nutritional value per 100 g for your product and the weight of your portion: kcal per 100 g × portion weight in grams ÷ 100. This calculation gives you the energy in that portion; it doesn’t assess your overall diet from a nutritional perspective.
Store nuts in a tightly sealed container in a dry place and follow the instructions on the pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends 10 to 15 °C as the best storage temperature; for the 200 g nut mix reviewed, PLUS advises storing it in a cool, dry place away from light.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the specific pack, including any warnings about possible traces. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) says that food suppliers are legally required to inform consumers about allergens present in their products.
No. A nutrition claim about a product’s composition isn’t, by itself, proof of weight loss. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says total energy intake is relevant when you’re trying to lose weight.
For questions about a product, contact the shop or the customer service team listed on the packaging. The Dutch government directs consumers to the NVWA for complaints about food products.
