Travellers who want to measure out their portions
You want to eat nuts on your way to Schiphol or while you’re waiting there, without treating a whole pack as a single snack. Compare the portion weight with the nutritional information on the label.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers who compare labels
You want to know whether unsalted, unroasted and low fat mean the same thing. So compare the total and saturated fat, as well as the ingredients, for the specific variety.
Travellers who want to buy something at Schiphol
You want to choose a snack at the airport and take the shop locations and your hand luggage into account. Schiphol lists an Albert Heijn and two to-go locations on Plaza; this doesn’t tell you which varieties of nuts are available at any given time.
What should you look for in nuts to take with you?
A measured portion of regular nuts
A good fit if: you want to keep eating regular nuts and mainly want to limit the amount in each snack.
Bear in mind: a smaller portion changes how much fat you eat, not the fat content per 100 grams.
Unroasted cashews with one ingredient
A good fit if: you want cashews without added oil; the PLUS variety reviewed lists only cashews as an ingredient.
Bear in mind: this ingredient list doesn’t make the cashews low in fat.
Roasted, unsalted cashews
A good fit if: you prefer them prepared this way and don’t mind oil being included in the ingredients.
Bear in mind: the Albert Heijn and Jumbo varieties reviewed contain sunflower oil and are not low in fat.
Sweet chestnuts
A good fit if: you’re looking for a differently composed snack and lower fat matters more to you than matching the nutritional composition of cashews.
Bear in mind: the fresh Albert Heijn variety reviewed needs to be prepared and peeled, so factor in that preparation when planning your journey.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion and pack size | Albert Heijn lists 50 grams of fat per 100 grams for the cashews reviewed and a 25-gram serving; that’s 12.5 grams of fat per serving. The pack contains 170 grams. | I want to know in advance how much fat my chosen portion contains, not just what’s in the bag. Around 42% of shoppers prioritise portion control. |
| Ingredients and nutritional composition | Compare total fat and saturated fat per 100 grams. PLUS lists 46.5 and 9.5 grams; Jumbo, 48.6 and 8.2 grams; and Albert Heijn, 50 and 9.4 grams. Also check whether sunflower oil is listed in the ingredients. | When I choose cashews, I want to look at the ingredients and nutritional information together rather than relying only on ‘unsalted’ or ‘unroasted’. Around 33% of shoppers prioritise ingredients and nutritional composition. |
| Travel convenience and preparation | Check whether the snack is ready to eat and whether the packaging fits your travel plans. Schiphol confirms an Albert Heijn and two to-go locations on Plaza, but doesn’t confirm the stock of a specific variety. | I want a snack that fits my route and doesn’t need extra preparation just before I leave. Around 25% of shoppers prioritise convenience when travelling. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Assuming unsalted or unroasted means low in fat
‘Unsalted’ tells you about the salt, while ‘unroasted’ describes how the nuts are prepared. The PLUS, Jumbo and Albert Heijn cashew varieties reviewed list 46.5 to 50 grams of fat per 100 grams.
Check total fat, saturated fat and ingredients separately. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 grams of fat per 100 grams for a ‘low fat’ claim.
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Treating a whole pack as one snack
The AH Unsalted Cashews bag reviewed contains 170 grams; the stated serving is 25 grams. So the nutritional values for one serving don’t apply to the whole pack.
Decide in advance how much you want to eat and check the nutritional information for that amount, as well as the values per 100 grams.
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Buying fresh chestnuts as if they’re ready to eat
The fresh AH chestnuts reviewed need to be scored, roasted and peeled. You’ll need to prepare them before taking them as a snack.
Prepare them before you leave, or choose another variety only if the packaging clearly explains how to use and store it.
Allow time for preparation and make sure you follow the product instructions.
Relevant brands to consider
Duyvis
Duyvis product information describes unsalted peanuts in a 235-gram pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre classifies peanuts as nuts for nutritional purposes.
- The ingredients list peanuts and sunflower oil.
- ‘Unsalted’ doesn’t mean ‘oil-free’ or ‘low fat’.
Albert Heijn
The AH Unsalted Cashews reviewed weigh 170 grams; the product information states a serving size of 25 grams.
- The nutritional information and serving size give you a useful guide for measuring out a snack portion.
- Product information about a shop at Schiphol doesn’t confirm that this specific variety is available there. The fresh chestnuts reviewed need to be prepared.
Jumbo
The Jumbo Unsalted Cashews reviewed are a roasted variety in a 200-gram pack.
- The product information lists 99% cashews and sunflower oil.
- The label lists 48.6 grams of total fat and 8.2 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams; these figures apply to this variety, not the entire range.
Lidl
Lidl’s brand page lists Alesto products such as almonds and walnuts.
- The brand page provides information about the nut and fruit range mentioned.
- This doesn’t mean the range as a whole is classified as low in fat.
ALDI
ALDI Netherlands lists TRADER JOE’S roasted, unsalted cashews in a 250-gram pack.
- The product information states how they’re prepared, that they’re unsalted and the pack weight.
- Being roasted and unsalted doesn’t in itself prove that a product contains less fat.
PLUS
The PLUS Unsalted, Unroasted Cashews reviewed come in a 200-gram pack and list only cashews as an ingredient.
- The label lists 46.5 grams of total fat per 100 grams.
- Having the lowest fat content of the three cashew varieties reviewed doesn’t make this product low in fat, and doesn’t automatically tell you about its saturated fat content.
Nut and peanut snacks at Joybuy
This selection includes packaged peanut and nut snacks for when you’re on the go. Compare serving sizes, ingredients and fat content per 100 grams.
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Duyvis Bran Nuts Provencale, 125 g
The product description mentions portions for when you’re on the go; check whether this savoury coated peanut snack is what you’re looking for.
The description states that the pack contains 4–5 portions of 30 grams. The label lists 33 grams of fat per 100 grams and 50% peanuts. Contains peanuts and wheat; possible traces of milk, nuts, soya and mustard are also listed.
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ChaCha Daily Nuts, 115 g (23 g x 5)
The individual packs may be a good fit if you want to take portions with you and are looking for a mix with dried fruit.
The pack contains five 23-gram portions. The label lists 38 grams of fat and 28 grams of sugars per 100 grams. The mix includes walnuts, cashews, almonds, hazelnuts and dried fruit; a non-edible desiccant is also listed.
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Jiazhouyuanye Original Flavour Large Cashew Nuts, 160 g
These cashews may suit you if you’re looking for a simple, ready-to-eat nut snack.
The ingredients list states 100% cashew kernels. The label lists 47.7 grams of fat per 100 grams; the pack contains 160 grams.
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g'woon roasted, unsalted cashews, 200 g
This variety may suit you if you’re looking for roasted, unsalted cashews and want to compare the ingredients with the label.
The ingredients list states cashews. The label lists 46.67 grams of fat per 100 grams; the pack contains 200 grams.
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J.ZAO Hickory Nuts, 300 g, Lin’an Small Hickory Kernels, unroasted
The description mentions individually wrapped portions for when you’re on the go; check the pack to see how large each portion is.
The ingredients list states hickory nuts, sugar and salt. Per 100 grams, the label lists 46.4 grams of fat, 1.6 grams of salt and 12.4 grams of sugars.
Frequently asked questions
When can a solid nut snack be called ‘low fat’?
According to the European Commission, a ‘low fat’ claim for solid foods requires a maximum of 3 grams of fat per 100 grams. The PLUS, Jumbo and Albert Heijn cashews reviewed list 46.5 to 50 grams per 100 grams. A smaller portion doesn’t change the value per 100 grams.
Can I take regular nuts in my hand luggage from Schiphol?
Schiphol’s general hand luggage information doesn’t list a general ban on ordinary solid nuts. It says that, in principle, you can take anything with you apart from dangerous or prohibited items. Nut butter is subject to the UK Government’s liquid and gel rules, including containers of no more than 100 millilitres in a transparent, resealable bag with a maximum capacity of 1 litre. Being allowed through security doesn’t guarantee that a product can be brought into every destination country.
How should I prepare the fresh chestnuts reviewed before I leave?
Albert Heijn’s instructions for the fresh chestnuts reviewed are to carefully score them with a cross, roast them in an oven at 200 °C for 15–20 minutes, leave them to cool briefly and peel them. These instructions apply to this fresh variety, not automatically to steamed or vacuum-packed chestnuts.
What should I check if I have a nut or peanut allergy?
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists peanuts and nuts as allergens that must be declared on pre-packed products. Also look for warnings about possible traces.
Where can I buy nuts at Schiphol?
Schiphol lists an Albert Heijn supermarket and two to-go locations on Plaza. Choose based on the variety available and its label; the shop locations don’t confirm that a specific online nut variety is available there.