Choose individual bags if you want to hand out pre-portioned snacks or save unopened bags for lunchboxes. Choose a larger pack if you’re sharing bowls and want to portion the snacks yourself. Compare the number of bags, the weight per bag and the ingredients separately: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, unsalted nuts are included in the Wheel of Five, while salted nuts and coated cocktail nuts are not. If you’re sharing, check the allergen information, and don’t give whole nuts or peanuts to children under 4.
You want to set out individual bags for several people. Compare the number of bags and the amount in each one, then decide whether you want nuts, peanuts or coated cocktail nuts. For example, Duyvis and Jumbo list an unsalted nut mix in 4 × 30 g packs, while other portion packs contain larger bags.
You want to be able to take unopened bags with you after snack night. A multipack of individual portions could be a good option. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts or peanuts to children under 4 because of the risk of choking.
You want to fill bowls from one larger pack or make your own portions for later. Compare the total weight and ingredients, and store any opened nuts in a dry, airtight container.
First decide whether you need ready-made portions or would rather portion the snacks yourself. Then choose the type and quantity that suit your snack night.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Check how many inner bags there are and how many grams each bag contains. | If I want to hand out bags and keep some unopened for later, I focus on how the portions are divided. Around 29% of consumers prioritise the convenience of handing out and taking snacks with them. |
| Type of snack | Choose between a nut mix, salted peanuts and coated cocktail nuts; these are different products. | If I want to snack together, I want to choose something that suits the group and the occasion. Around 23% of consumers prioritise sharing the snack experience. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients and check whether the nuts are unsalted or coated. | If I also want to save bags for other occasions, I look at the ingredients rather than just the pack size. Around 18% of consumers make ingredients their main consideration. |
| Quantity and ordering | Compare the number of bags and the total weight; also check the seller’s ordering terms. | If I want enough without ending up with more than I need, I consider the total quantity and how I’ll order it. Around 18% of consumers prioritise getting the right quantity for their budget. |
| Allergens and age | Read the allergen information and consider the age of everyone who will be eating. | If someone eating with us has an allergy or there are young children, I first check whether the snack is suitable to share. Around 12% of consumers make safety and suitability their main deciding factor. |
Individual packaging doesn’t change the choking risk that whole nuts and peanuts pose to children under 4, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
Don’t give whole nuts or peanuts to children of this age. Check whether a snack is suitable for a lunchbox before considering how convenient the packaging is.
A 500 g pouch doesn’t automatically contain individual portions, so it won’t be as convenient to use as a multipack.
Check the number of inner bags and the weight of each one. With a larger pack, you’ll need to portion the snacks yourself and seal the opened pack properly.
Making your own portions takes time and requires suitable airtight storage.
Twenty bags are a very different quantity from a small multipack. A business supplier may have ordering terms that aren’t suitable for a one-off evening at home.
Count how many bags you want to hand out, then check the total order quantity and the ordering terms before you choose.
A large box could leave you with more than you need for one evening.
Coated cocktail nuts have a crunchy coating and are a different snack from plain nuts. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, coated cocktail nuts aren’t included in the Wheel of Five.
Read the ingredients and decide whether you’re looking for a savoury snack to have with drinks or unsalted nuts.
Duyvis lists different portion packs, including an unsalted Walnut multipack and larger boxes with individual bags.
Albert Heijn lists unsalted nut mixes in packs including 200 g and 500 g sizes.
Jumbo lists nuts and peanuts in larger packs and sells a Duyvis Walnut multipack of 4 × 30 g.
PLUS lists an unroasted, unsalted nut mix in a single 500 g pouch.
A 200 g Trader Joe’s nut and fruit mix or nut and raisin mix is listed at Aldi.
This selection from Joybuy includes individual snack portions and packs for sharing. Check each product to see whether it contains individual bags or comes as one larger pack.
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A good choice if you want to hand out individual portions or save some for later.
The pack contains 30 sachets of 25 g. The mix listed includes walnuts, raisins, cranberries, blackcurrants, almonds, cashews and hazelnuts. Contains tree nuts.
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A good choice if you want to hand out individual bags of pistachios or take them with you.
The pack contains 25 bags of 20 g. It includes a sachet of desiccant, which isn’t edible.
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A good choice if you want to take portions of hickory nuts with you or hand them out individually.
The product description mentions individually wrapped portions and lists hickory nut kernels, sugar and salt as ingredients. Contains hickory nuts.
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A good choice if you’re looking for a savoury, seasoned snack to share.
The product description lists peanuts with a crunchy coating and onion and garlic flavour. Contains peanuts and wheat; may contain milk, nuts, soya and mustard.
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A good choice if you’re looking for a seasoned snack to enjoy together.
The product description lists peanuts with a crunchy coating and mild curry flavour. Contains peanuts, gluten from wheat and barley, and soya; may contain milk, nuts and mustard.
No. Check whether it contains individual inner packs. The PLUS nut mix listed is one 500 g pouch, while Duyvis Walnut is described as a multipack of 4 × 30 g.
Count how many bags you want to hand out and how many you want to keep unopened for later. A pack with four bags and a box with twenty bags are different quantities, so check the weight per bag too.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts or peanuts to children under 4 because of the risk of choking. It suggests bread with nut butter that has no added sugar or salt as an alternative. Remember to consider any allergies too.
Store nuts in a dry, airtight container. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a cool storage place at 10–15 °C. Also follow the instructions on the pack, as storage times aren’t necessarily the same for every mix.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods. Check the information on the pack, including any warning about possible cross-contamination. Peanuts and nuts are listed as separate allergens.
